1983 Ford Mustang

In reply to ClemSparks:

FYI the 8.8 in the SN95 will be about 1.5 inches wider overall so you will have to adjust with wheel back spacing. Or you can fit fox length axles and relocate the calipers with aftermarket brackets. These guys have all the parts to make it work: North race cars

Or you can let those big rear meats hang outside the fenders like a BOSS. And maybe add some Hijacker air shocks.

The SN95 K-member and A-arms will yield much better suspension geometry and place the front wheels about 2.5" more outboard (1 1/4" per side (I think) since the A-arms are 1" longer and the pickup points are 1/4" more outboard, I believe.) so it will come pretty close to matching the rear.

I've been wanting to do that to an older Fox for a long time!

box flares. that will solve the tire/width problems.

Actually it doesn't look as bad as you may think.

Here's an '89 with a '94-'98 rearend:

Here's the front of an older Fox with SN95 A-arms (Looks like the O.E. camber plate is set all the way to positive and that is without rotors mounted so it will sit an additional 1/4" or so outboard. With some negative camber it looks like it would tuck nicely.):

The_Jed wrote: Actually it doesn't look as bad as you may think. Here's an '89 with a '94-'98 rearend: Here's the front of an older Fox with SN95 A-arms (Looks like the O.E. camber plate is set all the way to positive and that is without rotors mounted so it will sit an additional 1/4" or so outboard. With some negative camber it looks like it would tuck nicely.):

That top pic has convinced me to go 94-98 rear on my 91. I hate how tucked in the wheels look in the rear. That set up looks perfect

Probably a stretch, but any idea what's on the front of that 89?

In reply to Cooper_Tired:

Some version of these; http://www.americanmuscle.com/anthracite-10th-18x10-0512.html?utm_content=Wheel+-+10th+Anni+Cobra%7CAmerican+Muscle+Wheels&utm_campaign=05-14%20No%20Years&utm_source=Google-pla&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_term=%7Bkeyword%7D&AMID=anthracite-10th-18x10-0512-FPReplacementV1&T5_Var3=blue&GID=28353

They're available in a number of sizes so you can get different offsets and diameters. They seem pretty popular and are priced right and are probably a bit heavy

i'm doing the same basic thing with my 90 mustang sn95 or better yet new edge suspension, brakes and axles. i plan to build 85 capri style flares. the previous owners did some reshaping. here is the thread. https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/1991-mustang-rallycross-car/83924/page1/ i do have a set of 4 2005+ 45 offset 17x8s for sale or trade

pres589 wrote: In reply to Cooper_Tired: Some version of these; http://www.americanmuscle.com/anthracite-10th-18x10-0512.html?utm_content=Wheel+-+10th+Anni+Cobra%7CAmerican+Muscle+Wheels&utm_campaign=05-14%20No%20Years&utm_source=Google-pla&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_term=%7Bkeyword%7D&AMID=anthracite-10th-18x10-0512-FPReplacementV1&T5_Var3=blue&GID=28353 They're available in a number of sizes so you can get different offsets and diameters. They seem pretty popular and are priced right and are probably a bit heavy

Sorry! Should've been more specific. I was curious about the front suspension set up on the 89

Yes, from what I've read, I'll be able to use some combination of front end parts to fit things up well.

For the rear, I was hoping the 3/4" per side that the SN95 stuff was supposed to add would not be too much (require air shoocks, lol). We'll see how it comes together.

For the front, I wasn't quite sure how it might work out. That 1 1/4" per side with the SN95 setup seems like it might be too much. Maybe the SN95 k-member with fox control arms would be a good combination? (seems like maybe slightly better camber, but a width that would keep the bodywork stock...maybe?).

I would really prefer to leave the body alone (no flaring, etc.).

Higher offset wheels may be the best bet. The wheels that came with the donor car are neat, but I had envisioned the Cobra R wheels on this thing...so maybe that'll be the thing to do (buy new wheels with the correct offset for the SN95 suspension parts).

Basically, I did just enough reasearch on SN95 suspension swaps to know that a '94 or '95 was the best bet for rear width and front bump steer. The rest, I'll have to figure out in time.

The_Jed wrote: Here's the front of an older Fox with SN95 A-arms (Looks like the O.E. camber plate is set all the way to positive and that is without rotors mounted so it will sit an additional 1/4" or so outboard. With some negative camber it looks like it would tuck nicely.):

Those are sticking way out there. And you say they'll move out the thickness of the rotor hat? Any idea what width/offset/diameter those wheels are?

ClemSparks wrote:

The_Jed wrote: Here's the front of an older Fox with SN95 A-arms (Looks like the O.E. camber plate is set all the way to positive and that is without rotors mounted so it will sit an additional 1/4" or so outboard. With some negative camber it looks like it would tuck nicely.):

Those are sticking way out there. And you say they'll move out the thickness of the rotor hat? Any idea what width/offset/diameter those wheels are?

Here's the other side:

Not sure what kind of wheels are on it.

Cooper_Tired wrote:

pres589 wrote: In reply to Cooper_Tired: Some version of these; http://www.americanmuscle.com/anthracite-10th-18x10-0512.html?utm_content=Wheel+-+10th+Anni+Cobra%7CAmerican+Muscle+Wheels&utm_campaign=05-14%20No%20Years&utm_source=Google-pla&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_term=%7Bkeyword%7D&AMID=anthracite-10th-18x10-0512-FPReplacementV1&T5_Var3=blue&GID=28353 They're available in a number of sizes so you can get different offsets and diameters. They seem pretty popular and are priced right and are probably a bit heavy

Sorry! Should've been more specific. I was curious about the front suspension set up on the 89

I assume he's still using the stock K member and A-arms. Here's the list he posted above the pic, "17x9 (wheels) 6.12 backspacing with a 265/40/17, Panhard bar, Steeda comp springs, MM adj rear LCA's, Tokico shocks an struts. 98 cobra rear.".

The_Jed wrote:

Here's the other side:

Not sure what kind of wheels are on it.

That is a drastic difference, right? I'm sure some combination of parts I have will get me something that work and (to a lesser priority) looks alright.

Thanks a bunch for the data/input!

i'm looking for a capri or four eyed fox front bumper and hood if you come across one

While there's no major "progress" I have been working on the project. I stripped down the '95 Mustang suspension donor. It's gone now. I have recouped all my purchase cost except $15 by now and I still have a trunk lid, bumper cover, and tail lights that can be sold. Here's photos of the teardown. Front suspension (K-member and all) coming out from under it:

 Rearend coming out:

Sitting on the trailer, ready to go to the crusher: 

I also pulled the engine out of the '87 Toyota. The Toyota was a convenient storage spot for the engine, but I'm trying to clean out some stuff around here, so thought I'd pull the engine out and try to sell the Toyota. 

Well the blue Toyota truck did find a new owner. I also found another convenient storage spot for the 5.0: 

 The shifter hole doesn't quite line up. This was originally a 4 speed car. Looks like I have a little cutting to do:

I've also found another foxbody parts car. An '85 GT convertible. I hope to bring it home Monday (if the seller gets all the stuff he needs off of it by then). It will have a lot of little stuff I'm missing to complete the swap (accessory drive, distributor, ignition, and lots of other stuff. I inquired about the radiator support on the parts car...but will probably come home with the whole thing.

progress! so hard to find a carb'd fox parts car around these parts. 85 has the best stock spoiler for a hatchback! (yes i know the convertible is a trunk car)

Can I ask what you gave for the SN95 parts car? I've been wanting to pick one up for the same reason, but wasn't sure what they go for these days

ClemSparks wrote: The biggest news is that this past week I acquired a parts donor SN95 car. This should provide an 8.8 rearend, and better brakes. Hopefully I can sell body parts from the car to recoup most of the $500 I had to spend on it.

It was buried in the drivel. I didn't want to pay $500 for it, but a) I thought it had an 8.8 in it and b) I was hopeful I could recoup all of the cost without too much time invested.

I was wrong on point a. I was right on point b.

Someone gave me $200 for the hood. I got $250 for the doors, fenders, and front bumper cover. $45 for the trunk lid and rear bumper cover. And other little odds and ends that I forget. I still have the tail lights that nobody seems to want. Also a clutch pedal set.

So when I put the engine in I found out that when they say the urethane engine mounts are for '84 and up...they mean it. Apparently my '83 is missing some holes in the engine mount pads on the K-member. I had to make some holes for clearance. Or, I could have ground off the dowel/nubs on the mounts. Not sure if I made the right decision but here are the "after" shots. I figure this will be a good "heads-up" for others doing a swap in a pre-84 fox body. Driver side with new hole (lower right):

Passenger side with new hole / enlargement of the square hole. 

I dragged home a parts '85 Convertible a month or two ago. It has been very useful for seeing how to put this puzzle back together. I've robbed parts like the Duraspark, Starter Cable, Transmission Crossmember, Power steering pump, etc, from it.

 It will also be the engine donor for another project I brought home:

 hehehehe

Hey, I've got some BBK goodies if you're interested. A set of black underdrive pulleys for $50 shipped and a set of equal length headers for $125 shipped. If you want both, I'll let them go for $160 shipped.

Can send ya pictures if you'd like to see them.

LOVE THAT WAGON!