I've seen that the factory springs on the 95-98 mustang's will fit on our cars and lower them a good bit and i was just wondering if i would have to change out my shocks and struts and if i do what will work? I'm going to be replacing my steering rack and pump and i thought while i'm at it let me ask and see if i can get a idea of what it will take before i get started.
I am running sn95 rear springs on Thunderbird shocks with no problem. I have AJE coil-overs up front, Adjusted to match the drop in the rear.
I've got '97 GT springs, and '94-'95 struts under mine. rear shocks are '89 Fox convertible parts, also running CHE adj. upper and non-adj rear C/A's. I've got about an inich or so drop all around.
Vinnietbird is running '99 GT springs, and has a little bit more drop. If you go for Bullitt or Mach 1 springs you'll probably need some sort of adj lower rear control arm AND caster/camber plates...I'd say with an inch or so your stock struts will be ok, anything more than that, and I'd probably swap to fox struts as the are shorter. There's a couple of threads that cover all the fine details. :)
PM vinnetbird as I think he is running T-Bird stock style shocks and struts with SN95 springs.
Darren
Mustang rear shocks, Fox or SN-95, are too short to work properly on a TBird...lowered or not.
But not with your adapters..?
(which I do have a set of)
I have stock Sport shocks in the rear w/ stock CA's and stock TC struts in front. For springs I am running '98 Cobra's at factory length in front and rear. I got 1.5" of drop in the rear and 1" in the front.
With those installed, yes they do work.
I've found a set of '98 Gt springs so I shouldn't have any problems putting them on and running my stock shocks/struts?
^ Not at all.
If you're wanting to firm things up a bit, I'd also recommend Energy Suspension spring isolators. I've got 'em front and rear on mine, they beat the snot out of the stock junk rubber stuff, plus they will never rot or turn to mush.
Energy Susp. for YOUR car... (http://"http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/products.asp?cat=Ford+Thunderbird+1987")
Enjoy!
Edit: seems like they don't have isolators listed for Tbirds....you CAN use Mustang parts for those, just look up under '87-'93 Mustang, seems like that's what I had to do.
part number front: 4.6102
part number rear: 4.6101
Do you ever get a noise from the Energy Suspension isolators? Seemed like everything I tried from them back in the day squeaked. I ran the Maximum Motorsports isolators when the Coupe had the coil springs on it and they did not squeak but I never did try the Energy Suspension units.
Darren
no audible (to me, anyway) squeaks. I've heard that, and if I were concerned, I'd have gotten the black graphite impregnated pieces...as long as a squeak doesn't come from the rotating driveline parts, i couldn't care any less, lol.