Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

This is what happens when things don't fit! Southside Bars (as well as all others) bolt into our beloved ThunderCats but they do not fit!  I have been dealing with this problem since I installed my first set of Southsides in 1997. They make the ThunderCat rearends move forward exactly 1 inch and look "goofy" with the tire too far forward in the fenderwell. So, I took a perfectly good pair and hacked them up. I stretched them exactly 3/4 inch and lowered the spring perch 1.5 inches. It moved the rear back exactly 1 inch and now the rear end is back where it should be. I love my mig welder!:D --

Before and after--

Before and after--

Before and after--

Much better! That's some nice work.

Thanks Birdman! My 275-55-16 M&H Drag Radials are on the way. They will go on stock TC wheels.  Alan

I'm a novice when it comes to suspension and the geometry thereof, but wouldn't that shorter LCA throw off the pinion angle?

He lengthened it, Brian - the Mustang LCA moved the rear axle too far forward (look at the pic in his avatar) so he lengthened it to put the axle back where it should be.

Great work.  Looks much better.

That's some good work. I recently bought a set and I'm thinking how to make them work for me. I was thinking of relocating the mounting points at the rear. I'm now thinking of adding the 3/4" they left out. Good stuff.

Thanks. I had been wanting to do this idea for years and when I found a cheap set on ebay, I saw my opportunity. Now I am going to make the spring perches on the arms adjustable so that if I want to put on 315-35-17 tires on the back, it will allow me to set the rear ride height.

O.K. Here is the finished ride height with M&H Racemaster D.O.T. 275-55-16 Drag radial with 7 inch TC wheels and a 5/16 inch spacer. I love the way it looks and rides now. The rear is now centered in the fenderwell in the stock location.

Why can't I see any pitures???

That Thing Looks Bad Ass!!!

drop the front a little and the rack will look amazing!IMO

Looking good.  What I want to know is what's the 60'?

I  haven't had it to the track yet. Hopefully if I do not get any more distractions I will be able to run it in April. I really need to get working on my new 460 because this old one is worn out. Smokes on start up and the rear seal leaks.
As far as the front ride height, I would like to lower it but I have a 460 up front and it already rubs the chin spoiler while leaving my driveway.
So it will stay as is.
:birdsmily:

Well, I finally got an "after" shot with the stretched Southside lower control arms.

BEFORE::




AFTER::



3/4 of an inch is what it took.:D

nice looks better, those wheels done yet?

Not there yet.

Good news tho.  I called Mickey Thompson tires and I was told that the 295-50-16 drag radials and the 295-45-17 drag radials will be out in May. I will probably go with the big 16 inch DR because I am running a big block.

For once, we will now have more options for wide sticky tires for 16 and 17 wheels.:D

yea

Just a little update:

I took the 460 TC to the track 3 weeks ago and with the Modified Southsides and factory 87 TC "boxed" uppers, I got an 1.816 60ft time at 8.59 and 79 mph.( on M&H 275-55-16 Drag Radials.)
The car launches great and pulls perfectly straight without any drama.

My Gray 83 460 Bird is next.;)

Just to ask, way off topic, but how bad/what was so bad about the 3/4"? Is it strictly cosmetic or is there something deeper. I can get a good deal on upper and lower stang control arms and wana make sure they fit in general. In the one picture,(http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=10188&d=1174262116)
You can see the difference but it's not *that* bad.

Mikey:

On a small diameter rear tire, you may not notice the "goofiness" look as much when the wheel is moved forward 1 inch.

But on a 28 inch tire, you can definitely notice. After looking at my 83 Gray Bird for years with the tire moved forward, I was kind-of embarrased by the look. So when I built this car, I had to find a solution.

I guess you would have to see what I mean in person.

It's similar to guys using 79-93 Mustang K-members and lower controls on the front.  It does not work for the ThunderCats or MK VIIs. (unless you use wheels with less backspacing);)

I have 26.1" tires now IIRC. I'm going to stay about that rang, or very close to it. Just considerin my options. Do you have a pic of about 225-60's on 10 holes to give an idea of the 3/4" difference. I can't imagen it being that bad. And also to everyone, can adjustable upper and lower contol arms make up that gap? aqs a random thought, since they are adjustable then can be adjusted to be longer there for closing the gap?

Those adjustable lowers for mustangs can be adjusted to the T-Bird length.....however...you will probably not have many threads left on the rod ends.  I have adjustables. Never put them on....made me nervous not having as much thread engagement as designed for.

Mikey....also remember I am using Southsides and they re-locate the rear end attachment points lower to the ground which affects the overall arm length when installed on the car.

Mustang factory lowers are only about 3/8 inch shorter than T-Bird's.