Rear end swap ok here?

Archie · 07-09-2003

Hi guys....i have an 88 lx 5.0...i was wondering if a complete rear end from an 89 thunderbird 5.0 could be transferred to my mustang...are the control arms going to line up? Thankyou for any info on this matter...

- Archie

vbrpete · 07-09-2003

Yes it can be done.No you don't want to do it.

It will physically fit with some Mcgyver'in,but what benefits do you think it will provide?Here's the deficiencies that I've found in doing this job;

It's HEAVY.Unless you get the Mark VIII lower control arms(aluminum) then the whole thing will weigh about 70 lbs more than the live 8.8

It's quite difficult to do a gear swap due to the CV axles,etc.

It won't hook worth a damn on a dragstrip

You have to use T-Bird spec wheels with a huge outside offset

If you really want to see how good these IRS assemblies are,look at how many newer Cobra owners have replaced them with solid 8.8s.It's a neat idea,but not very practical.

Archie · 07-12-2003

i meant trying to fit an '88 ot '89 5.0 rear end, which is a live axle into my '88 coupe mustang....the t-bird in question did not have independent rear...i have a 92 t bird which does and i could see why u said it was a worthless idea...but no, i meant a rear from the older t-bird type body....will that rear fit on my mustang coupe? thankyou!

- Archie

vbrpete · 07-12-2003

Yes.It's an exact fit.If it's from an '87-'88 Sport LX T-Bird then it's even got the quad shocks and the brake line in the right place.Probably got 3.27s in it with a trac-lok too.

Archie · 07-12-2003

Thankyou!

Jarrett · 07-14-2003

When I swapped in my TC rear axle the quads did not line up.

Archie · 07-15-2003

did the 3.73's come with the t-bird rear?