Side Skirt Interchange March 19, 2009, 06:45:20 PM I'm sure its been discussed, But im not finding a definite answer.Will 87-88 Side Skirts fit properly on an 83-86, And Vice Versa?Seems like it should be real close. Quote Selected
Side Skirt Interchange Reply #1 – March 19, 2009, 07:01:57 PM Yes and no. How's that for the definitive answer? The molding on the 1987-88 cars (Cougar and Thunderbird alike) are wider, and are also mounted a bit lower on the sides than the previous cars. Therefore the side skirts don't go up as high as the 1983-86 cars.Side skirs on 1983-86 cars are made for the wide body molding. Almost all T-Birds had that (only a few Cougars did--the RS and XR7 models). Since the molding on these cars are not as wide as later one, the side skirts go up higher.Can you use a 1983-86 side skirt on a 1987-88 car?Yes, with some tpuppies at the top.Can you use a 1987-88 side skirt on a 1983-86 car?Yes, but there will be a gap of about 1" or so. It doesn't look pretty.To solve these interchange problems, a lot of people just remove the molding between the wheel wells. That works, but the side skirts look strange ending where they do. Visually it's not pleasing. I did that on my old '88 XR7 to cover up the rusting rocker panels. It was....yeesh. Not recommended. Quote Selected
Side Skirt Interchange Reply #2 – March 19, 2009, 07:05:22 PM there close, coolcats used to have a body kit, I'll see if I can find the link. they should be about .2" off just judging by the wheel base differences between years.Here we go"MISC. INFO- If you're tempted to use a 1983-86 kit on a 1987-88 car, or vice versa, you're out of luck. The dimensional differences, and the use of totally different bumpers, prevent you from doing this. We've seen attempts to do this and the results are less than professional.- Also, if you're curious, Mustang GT kits won't bolt up either. The side skirts actually fit the front wheel well and under the doors about perfectly. It's just that they're about 8" short of the rear wheel well, which coincidentally is about the difference in wheelbase length between the Cougar/T-Bird and the Mustang/Capri. The bumper covers are pretty close, but not enough to try and manipulate them to work without serious modifications and bodywork.- You also cannot fit 1989-95 Thunderbird SC ground effects on your car either, because of the obvious differences in wheelbase, width and beltline height."http://www.coolcats.net/modifying/groundeffects.html Quote Selected
Side Skirt Interchange Reply #3 – March 19, 2009, 07:09:21 PM D'oh!.Thanks for the thorough replies guys. :burnout: Quote Selected
Side Skirt Interchange Reply #4 – June 26, 2009, 12:29:06 AM ill trade you my 4 eye skirts for ur 87 -88 skirts Quote Selected
Topic: Side Skirt Interchange (Read 984 times)
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