I've toyed with doing the TC rearend and have decided to do the Mark VII rearend for the 5 lug conversion. Now I know the rearend will fit and it's about an inch wider overall. The question I have is what about the front spindles, calipers, and rotors, will the MK7 stuff work on my '87 Cougar?
I don't believe so mainly because it's bagged. I did the conversion and used machined rotors. Or you could go with the SN95 conversion up front, (bigger brakes). On the rearend you should definitly get all the e-brake cables and brackets. Also the calipers are expensive so make sure the donor car has good ones on them. I believe mine were 100 dollar calipers and 100 dollar cores. Or if you're nice I can let you know my autozone warrenty information. Definitly do the research on it. If i had to do over again I'd have with with a posi unit with drum brakes. I had reliablity issues with the caliper setup on the back.
Yes the rear will fit, it is about an inch wider per side. Mark spindles won't work, the balljoint is different. If you have a 87/88 TC (or Fox Mustang 5.0) 11-inch spindles then the Mark rotors will get you to five lug in the front. Direct swap. The Mark VII have "bigger" calipers than TC/Mustangs. They bolt right in...
Why am I typing this...? All the info you will need.
http://www.coolcats.net/tech/advanced/4to5lug.html
The Mk7 rear is only 1/2" wider per side than the TBird/Cougar stuff. It will bolt in.
On the front, as mentioned you will need 87-88TC or 87-93 5.0 Mustang front spindles to use the Mk7 stuff.
Some places make an adapter that would allow you to use the Mk7 spindle on the smaller balljoint, just not sure who still makes them.
Awesome, I found a '89 Mark VII at a local junk yard, the guy wants $200 for the rear end and front end parts.
That's a good deal. Don't forget the brackets and e-brake cables all the way up to the pedel.