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Topic: Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms.... (Read 1613 times) previous topic - next topic

Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms....

I was checking out this article and saw this board mentioned.

http://www.fordmuscle.com/forums/suspension-articles/485692-fox-thunderbird-rear-control-arm-upgrade-pinion-angle-check.html
Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10

Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms....

Reply #1
Too bad he didn't show side views before and after...
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms....

Reply #2
Quote from: FordTruckFreeek;270484
Too bad he didn't show side views before and after...



....lol
yeah, it would have showed how those Mustang lowers shove the wheel forward in the fenderwell.

I put Southsides on both of our BB Birds and they moved the rear forward a full 1 inch.
I fixed the problem tho.:D
Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10

Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms....

Reply #3
The difference in length between the Lakewood lowers and and Factory lowers was a 1/4". Not sure where the 1" figure comes from, but I'll get you a pic. :)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms....

Reply #4
nice article.

has anyone on here ever boxed in the stock control arms?
Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.
:birdsmily: :birdsmily: :birdsmily::birdsmily: 
  [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
:birdsmily: :birdsmily: :birdsmily::birdsmily:
1983 base model,1969 302 (originally a v6),upraded c5,currently 30,441 original miles.

Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms....

Reply #5
Yeah, he's a member here ;)

Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms....

Reply #6
Nice write up Mike

Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms....

Reply #7
Here's a close-up of the rear wheel location. It's an "after" shot so you guys would need to tell me if the axle is unusually forward.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms....

Reply #8
Such a beautiful writeup.  And those are some clean snowflakes!
84 TC 302 -5.0L/t5/7.5 locking rear and a 3.45 gear, Edelbrock Intake, Aluminum Heads, Edlebrock 65mm Throttlebody, Edlebrock Cam, 24lb injectors & MAS Air Sensor calibrated via chip,  BBK headers, Catback H pipe, Magnaflow lers :evilgrin:
:pics-stfu:

 Project Thread with pics

Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms....

Reply #9
Quote from: Mikelonis;270495
The difference in length between the Lakewood lowers and and Factory lowers was a 1/4". Not sure where the 1" figure comes from, but I'll get you a pic. :)


Mike; Glad to see it worked out for you.  ( well written article by the way) I got to thinking about what happened to my cars.

Since you used the the factory mounting point on the rear, the before and after rear end location is not very different as shown in your pic.

However, if the rear attachment point is moved (i.e. Southside lowers) , then the shorter Mustang lowers move the rear end centerline forward more  due to the geometry of the setup. (see photos below)

That's good news that the Lakewoods worked out for you.

Alan

before with the stock Southsides:




After with mods:



This is what I had to do. I stretched the lowers 3/4 in. and notched the spring seat area because I did not want to cut my coils so I could lower the spring pad and run 28 inch tall tires without the 4 x 4 look. This mod moved my rear back to the stock location and I got to re-use my factory TC uppers. (boxed of course)



Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10

Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms....

Reply #10
Thanks for the compliments on the pictorial. I try to make it so you don't have to read. :)

Alan, can I use your wheel shot for my article? I'd like to address the possibility of a shortened wheelbase when using some Mustang lowers.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms....

Reply #11
Nice write up. Could always go CHE too.
1986 Cougar LS

Check out this tech article on a T-Bird rear lower control arms....

Reply #12
Quote from: Mikelonis;270725
Thanks for the compliments on the pictorial. I try to make it so you don't have to read. :)

Alan, can I use your wheel shot for my article? I'd like to address the possibility of a shortened wheelbase when using some Mustang lowers.


Sure, no problem.  As mentioned in the above post, buying CHE lowers would be the easiest solution.
Here is one of the Gray Bird with un-modified Southsides as well.

Alan Mackin--Semi Professional Ford der
83 T-Bird 460
83 T-Bird Heritage 5.0
84 T-Bird 5.0
86 T-Bird Turbo Coupe NHRA Stocker & Super Stocker
87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe
88 Bronco II Drag truck 302
95 Mustang GT auto
2004 F-350 CC Dually V-10