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Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #15
Quote from: fast Ed;451559
Going with the sidetrack about using Mustang rear springs ... rather than swapping to aftermarket lower arms, has anyone tried these spring spacers from Global West? 

http://www.globalwest.net/1201.html

They have 3 sizes that will lift the car either 5/8", 7/8", or 1-1/4".  Looks like they are about $30 each.  I'm tempted to try some along with SN95 Bullitt or Mach I springs.


cheers
Ed

Why would you not want aftermarket lower control arms?
Sure more costly but far better money spent (remember, it's not an investment) than that spacer.

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #16
Not to speak for Ed but for us Canadian folks the MM arms end up being very expensive (thanks to the current exchange rate 32%)......$500+ not including the shipping charges, not to mention the taxes and import fees

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #17
Quote from: The Hawk;451591
Not to speak for Ed but for us Canadian folks the MM arms end up being very expensive (thanks to the current exchange rate 32%)......$500+ not including the shipping charges, not to mention the taxes and import fees

Look at where I live and then do the happy dance that it's quite cheap for you to get parts ;)

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #18
Quote from: Thunderbird88;451577
Why would you not want aftermarket lower control arms?
Sure more costly but far better money spent (remember, it's not an investment) than that spacer.

This car is more of a cruiser for me, just want to get the ride height down with SN95 springs and be able to set it where I want by picking the right spacer height.  I've got my 07 Mustang with all sorts of suspension bits bolted on for ripping around corners with. :D


cheers
Ed
84 Mustang SVO
95 Jaguar XJR

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #19
How far are you looking to lower it?
I'm running 96 gt vert Springs and it's at a fairly comfortable drop not too high not too low
If anything I'll lower it a lil more in the future
1987 T-Bird TC: 5-Spd, 5-lug conv., CHE Rear CAs, '04 Cobra wheels and 13" Brakes, Vac Assist conv: '93 Cobra BB/MC & Wilwood PV, Gutted/Knived Intakes, T3 turbo, RFE6 Mani, Stinger 3" Exhaust & Oil Feed, 255HP Walbro, Kirban AFPR, RR Cam, Esslinger Cam gear and Round Tooth Conv., Gillis Boost Valve, Speedway Dual Valve Spring,  K&N, 130a 3g Alt conv., 140mph Speedo
Running Better Than Ever :burnout:

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #20
Probably around 1 to 1-1/4".  I know that some people have found the SN95 rear springs too low in the Fox Birds, so if I could make them work with a small spacer rather than dishing for aftermarket lower rear arms, that's the way I'd likely go.


cheers
Ed
84 Mustang SVO
95 Jaguar XJR

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #21
Yes I heard that as well before i did the swap but its mainly the hardtop mustang springs that do that.
The convertible car springs are supposedly stiffer so i went with those.

Heres a pic with those springs in the back, for the front i just cut about 5/8 of a coil off the stock ones

1987 T-Bird TC: 5-Spd, 5-lug conv., CHE Rear CAs, '04 Cobra wheels and 13" Brakes, Vac Assist conv: '93 Cobra BB/MC & Wilwood PV, Gutted/Knived Intakes, T3 turbo, RFE6 Mani, Stinger 3" Exhaust & Oil Feed, 255HP Walbro, Kirban AFPR, RR Cam, Esslinger Cam gear and Round Tooth Conv., Gillis Boost Valve, Speedway Dual Valve Spring,  K&N, 130a 3g Alt conv., 140mph Speedo
Running Better Than Ever :burnout:

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #22
How does the Cobra wheels fit on the front? I'm thinking about same wheel setup as you

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #23
They fit really well at the moment, note that I am running 94/95 mustang spindles.
I had wheels with the same specs up front with 255s and the tires would rub the fender lips, rolling the fender lips fixed that. Im now running 245s no rubbing.
1987 T-Bird TC: 5-Spd, 5-lug conv., CHE Rear CAs, '04 Cobra wheels and 13" Brakes, Vac Assist conv: '93 Cobra BB/MC & Wilwood PV, Gutted/Knived Intakes, T3 turbo, RFE6 Mani, Stinger 3" Exhaust & Oil Feed, 255HP Walbro, Kirban AFPR, RR Cam, Esslinger Cam gear and Round Tooth Conv., Gillis Boost Valve, Speedway Dual Valve Spring,  K&N, 130a 3g Alt conv., 140mph Speedo
Running Better Than Ever :burnout:

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #24
Quote from: Ramos617;451704
They fit really well at the moment, note that I am running 94/95 mustang spindles.
I had wheels with the same specs up front with 255s and the tires would rub the fender lips, rolling the fender lips fixed that. Im now running 245s no rubbing.

Sounds good!
How did the 255's fit on those wheels? I have a feeling that they must be a bit narrow on those wide rims...

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #25
Absolutely not, the front wheels were 17x9 so they fit pretty well
My current cobras are also 17x9 but with 245s and these look good as well
Heres a pic with those 255s up front, 315s in the back

1987 T-Bird TC: 5-Spd, 5-lug conv., CHE Rear CAs, '04 Cobra wheels and 13" Brakes, Vac Assist conv: '93 Cobra BB/MC & Wilwood PV, Gutted/Knived Intakes, T3 turbo, RFE6 Mani, Stinger 3" Exhaust & Oil Feed, 255HP Walbro, Kirban AFPR, RR Cam, Esslinger Cam gear and Round Tooth Conv., Gillis Boost Valve, Speedway Dual Valve Spring,  K&N, 130a 3g Alt conv., 140mph Speedo
Running Better Than Ever :burnout:

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #26
Looking good on those FR500's!

I have a lot of thinking to do...
Are you using SN95 spindles in the front?

 

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #27
Quote from: Ramos617;451539
Yes,  one of our members chuck made them
Idk if he's making any at the moment
I just posted a wanted ad to get mine when I needed them



  Chuck says he is no longer making that part.

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #28
Quote from: Thunderbird88;451750
Looking good on those FR500's!

I have a lot of thinking to do...
Are you using SN95 spindles in the front?
Thanks And sorry about the late reply
Yes those are 94/95 Mustang spindles which are what you want to keep the geometry closest to stock

Quote from: phils88gt;451841
Chuck says he is no longer making that part.
Yea when I needed mine he wasn't selling them either
I posted a wanted ad here and got some for a good deal
1987 T-Bird TC: 5-Spd, 5-lug conv., CHE Rear CAs, '04 Cobra wheels and 13" Brakes, Vac Assist conv: '93 Cobra BB/MC & Wilwood PV, Gutted/Knived Intakes, T3 turbo, RFE6 Mani, Stinger 3" Exhaust & Oil Feed, 255HP Walbro, Kirban AFPR, RR Cam, Esslinger Cam gear and Round Tooth Conv., Gillis Boost Valve, Speedway Dual Valve Spring,  K&N, 130a 3g Alt conv., 140mph Speedo
Running Better Than Ever :burnout:

Panhard bar for 1988 Sport

Reply #29
If ya really wanted to, you can simply flip the rear shock bracket and drillna new hole for the little locating peg or whatever it's called to go in. This should get ya 1 to 1 1\2" if I remember correctly.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com