Stanger85

I recently purchased a 81 thunderbird, because I like driving older cars and I thought it would be kool for an everyday driver. I rebuilt a 302 to replace the 4.2 litre because it was tired and I have a surplus of 302 and fox body parts from all my mustangs. But to my question will a 8.8 out of a mustang bolt in place of the 7.5. The 7.5 has 260 ratio and is a dog out off the hole, and I have 3.73 in a 8.8 sitting in the garage I think would wake it up.

Redneck1465

I dont think so. I think the Tbird has a longer rear end from wheel to wheel but I could be wrong.

psuhillbilly150

I actually think that it is a direct fit.

1980-86 should have interchangable rears with mustangs. The only difference I have seen on all 8.8 rears from various fox platforms are the mounting locations of the sway bar on the axle with dedicated brackets instead of on the lower control arms like on the mustang. so you will want to look into that and see where yours is mounted.

You will also find you have an extra bracket on the very end of the housing for the stabilizer shock that the GT mustangs used.

Portmaster

Bolts right in. It's a Fox Body Platform

Timspony

+1 on that...go bolt it in!

Stanger85

Thanks for the help, I thought it might bolt in but wanted a second opinion before I got myself into more work than I planned on