Front Swaybars

Topic: Front Swaybars (Read 1019 times) previous topic - next topic

Front Swaybars

March 30, 2006, 07:19:15 PM

Hey all,
As some of you know from looking at the For Sale section, I have a front swaybar from an '88 TC. I was planning on putting it in/on my '83 Cougar (assuming I ever get it close to being roadworthy). But, by the highly accurate finger-pinch gage, the swaybar in my '83 Cougar seems to be the same diameter. Could this be right? My '83 did come with the TRX suspension package. After looking at the 2 of them, I thought, why would I go to all that trouble of swapping if they are the same thing. What is the difference in diameters of TC swaybars and non-TC swaybars, and how much difference in handling does that difference make? I just know that the original swaybar is not gonna give up easily. Somebody educate me, please. Thanks.

Fordman3

Front Swaybars

Reply #1 – March 30, 2006, 08:08:03 PM

this thread right here should help ya out!
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=1357

Front Swaybars

Reply #2 – March 31, 2006, 11:47:19 AM

any idea what the stock 5.0 tbird/cougar bar dia is compared to the tc front bar?

Front Swaybars

Reply #3 – March 31, 2006, 09:09:48 PM

should be the same...if its a sport anyway

Front Swaybars

Reply #4 – April 01, 2006, 04:26:26 PM

The only sure way to tell is to measure. You can either use an open end wrench or a cresent wrench if you dont have a caliper. I was at the wrecking yard the other day and all I had to measure with was a cresent wrench and a tape measure because I forgot to bring a caliper. Just adjust the wrench so it will fit over the bar and then measure the opening.

Just FYI, the 87-88 TC's have 1 5/16" front bars which I believe are the largest the factory used. The 85 bird that I found at the wrecking yard had a 1 1/8" bar. Visually those bars look identicle and there's no way you'd know they were different using the finger method. Definetly measure!