independent rearend
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 25
From:
independent rearend
Hi I'm new to this siteand have a lot of questions. I'll start with this, I'm restoring a 66 coupe that is on a rotisserie right now. When I'm ready to put it all back together I was thinking of upgrading the rearend from it's current 8" with 2.80:1 gearing to a 9".
So today I cruised my local junk yard to see whats available when I found several ford rearends in thunderbirds and towncars that had rear disk and independent suspension. The towncars had airbags and the t-birds used coil springs. Has anyone ever swaped one of these into a old stang? It looks like they both would fit but the t-bird also had mac-struts, and I don't think that assembly would fit under the pony. The towncars lower control arms are huge but I think they would fit.
I don't think I would attempt this unless someone else has blazed the trail first and figured out how to make it work, but it would be cool to have independent suspension in the rear.
Both these cars where mid 90's.
I did find a 9" in a late 80's t-bird that was a solid axle,and had disc brakes. This rear looked a little more do able. Thanks in advance Mike
So today I cruised my local junk yard to see whats available when I found several ford rearends in thunderbirds and towncars that had rear disk and independent suspension. The towncars had airbags and the t-birds used coil springs. Has anyone ever swaped one of these into a old stang? It looks like they both would fit but the t-bird also had mac-struts, and I don't think that assembly would fit under the pony. The towncars lower control arms are huge but I think they would fit.
I don't think I would attempt this unless someone else has blazed the trail first and figured out how to make it work, but it would be cool to have independent suspension in the rear.
Both these cars where mid 90's.
I did find a 9" in a late 80's t-bird that was a solid axle,and had disc brakes. This rear looked a little more do able. Thanks in advance Mike
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 877
From:
RE: independent rearend
WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!! I have done much research in to this idea and a T-bird rear end can be made to fit however it is much easier to retrofit a Jaguar rear end in to a classic Mustang and if you do your IRS will be far closer to the one Ford designed for the Mustang.
I am currently putting a Jaguar IRS unit in both my 64.5 Mustang and in my 62 Galaxie and, even though the project is not yet finished I have three web pages on my progress so far. The first one will give you a lot of history and slightly cover your T-bird question.
Putting Independant Rear Susprnsion (IRS) in a Classic Mustang
Page I : Why make the upgrade and Fords original IRS design
Page II : Where to find a unit, and then taredown, and cleaning.
Page III, Narrowing of the LCAs and half shafts and converting the Jaguar bolt pattern to a Ford bolt pattern.
Let me know if you have any questions or if I can help in any other way.
Day
I am currently putting a Jaguar IRS unit in both my 64.5 Mustang and in my 62 Galaxie and, even though the project is not yet finished I have three web pages on my progress so far. The first one will give you a lot of history and slightly cover your T-bird question.
Putting Independant Rear Susprnsion (IRS) in a Classic Mustang
Page I : Why make the upgrade and Fords original IRS design
Page II : Where to find a unit, and then taredown, and cleaning.
Page III, Narrowing of the LCAs and half shafts and converting the Jaguar bolt pattern to a Ford bolt pattern.
Let me know if you have any questions or if I can help in any other way.
Day
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