Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: V8Demon on November 06, 2008, 10:19:16 PM

Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: V8Demon on November 06, 2008, 10:19:16 PM
Perusing some old threads......Saw this:


Quote
Mine had a 7.5" T/L rear with 2.73 gear and quad shocks that was std. on the Sports.

It's in reference to an '87 T-bird Sport. 

So, pics?

Sounds like my next project.  Never seen them on a 7.5 before...Same ones as an 8.8?
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: ZondaC12 on November 06, 2008, 10:31:22 PM
Yeah that's actually my EXACT stock rear-end setup lol. If no one else does it first I'll snap some of my car (won't be real pretty most of that is surface rusted :hick: )
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: vinnietbird on November 07, 2008, 06:58:54 AM
That's what my Sport came with as well.7.5 traction Lock with 2.73's and quad shocks.Same shocks as an 8.8.Mine is an '88 though.
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 07, 2008, 10:56:29 AM
Quote from: V8Demon;242010

Souuds like my next project.  Never seen them on a 7.5 before...Same ones as an 8.8?


What you've got silly axle hop on launch too? :hick:





Me needs some quad shocks......
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: V8Demon on November 07, 2008, 11:16:32 AM
Quote
What you've got silly axle hop on launch too?

Believe it or not, the subframes alleviated a lot of it.  Loading up the converter makes it non-existant.  Mashing the gas without converter loadup is where it still exists...

More reading....

According to Al Kirschenbaum in The Official Ford Mustang 5.0 Technical Reference and Performance Handbook :  1979-1993

Quote
Quadra-Shocks can be retrofitted to 1979-84 V-8 Mustangs and to later models built without them. Brackets are required on the rear axle and frame to accept Quadra-Shocks. Starting in early 1984, the four-shock-absorber arrangement was offered in bolt-on kit form by FRPP under part number M-4263-C. The FRPP kit includes a template for proper positioning, but drilling access holes in the trunk and bolt holes in the frame to accept the shock mounts can be difficult and time-consuming. The axle housing brackets should also be tack-welded in place.

For reference, here's a pic of the M-4263-C kit:

(http://www.bentleypublishers.com/features/gfm5/GFM5C29-9.gif)

Interesting....Now for further reference, some pics of quad shocks on various Mustangs:

An '87...

(http://images.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/0303mm_03zoom+1987_Ford_Mustang_LX+Undercar_Removing_Rear_Quad_Shock.jpg)

And a 2001 ...

(http://www.themustangnews.com/photos/tech/cov-axledmp2.jpg)

Now I return your attention to the quote and the part concerning access holes in the trunk....
I'm not too keen on that idea, but if there's no other way then well -- so be it.  So I ask this.....Is there any other way to do it SAFELY?

Pics of where the frame mounts are located on our cars would help immensely and are appreciated  ;)
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: gumby on November 07, 2008, 11:31:25 AM
the quads on our cars mount to the bottom of the frame rail, not the side.
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c73/gmby23/87%20turbocoupe/5ce9c094.jpg)

ill look around and see if i still have my frame brackets; highly doubful cause i think they are worthless, but ill have a look none the less ;)
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: V8Demon on November 07, 2008, 11:39:53 AM
Thanks!


That bracket appears TOTALLY different from the outline.  How was it fastened in place?

Perhaps there is a part number......Eric? :hick:
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: gumby on November 07, 2008, 11:43:02 AM
the outline on the bottom of my frame rail is the shape of the thundercat bracket. it was fastened with a bolt in each of the threaded bungs.

sorry for the poor focus, might be hard to tell they are threaded......i didnt use a back up light, so the camera focused whereever it wanted when the flash hit...
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: V8Demon on November 07, 2008, 11:46:22 AM
Actually I can see what looks like threads on one of the inserts....It piqued my curiosity.  Right side of the pic is towards the front or back?
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 07, 2008, 11:49:17 AM
Um...yeah, there's no need to go into the trunk for quad shock mounting. If it was maybe a pinion snubber, which on our cars was never offered, I can maybe see that quote as being semi-valid. Otherwise it's just wrong--the setup wasn't even close to the trunk area from the factory, at least on our cars. Maybe it was that way for pre-1984 Mustangs. Pretty much all of our cars from at least late-1983 through 1988 had the factory threaded holes in the framerails for the T-Bird/Cougar specific quad shock brackets. We have no need to drill and tap. I have seen a few earlier 1983 cars without the holes, probably cars made before the Turbo Coupe was released, as the TC had quad shocks as standard.

The brackets (long, slim, vertical on the left side of the photo) should get welded to the rear axle. It looks like the Motorsport kit had the U-bolts to just clamp them onto the rear end. I guess that would work, although they're eventually going to wiggle loose. Best to weld them up at installation time, or at least when the proper positioning is made.

BTW, that kit has been long discontinued and I say "Good luck!" to whomever is trying to acquire one. ;)

To answer your question, Paul, all pre-1988 XR7's had the 7.5" rear end with drums and quad shocks. There are some non-XR7's out there with factory quads due to a towing/handling package option (depending on model year). Those will be quite rare, especially if it's a pre-1987 model. My books are quite unclear as to what exactly determined the handling and towing packages...it's not like today where automakers list everything. These older cars were sometimes stingy with giving up their secrets. Anyway, if someone were to want to swap in a 7.5" quad shock rear end, looking for a 1984-87 XR7, or a 1983-86 Turbo Coupe, or a 1987-88 Thunderbird Sport would be the way to go.
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: gumby on November 07, 2008, 11:50:43 AM
here is a better pic.
we are on the passenger side of the car, and the bracket you see in the pic is the rear attachment of my IRS which is located on the outside of the frame rail, so the right side of the pic is toward the rear of the car

(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c73/gmby23/87%20turbocoupe/1bbf0304.jpg)
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: V8Demon on November 07, 2008, 12:56:59 PM
Quote
Anyway, if someone were to want to swap in a 7.5" quad shock rear end, looking for a 1984-87 XR7, or a 1983-86 Turbo Coupe, or a 1987-88 Thunderbird Sport would be the way to go.


With the amount of work and parts in THIS rearend,  That's NOT an option....

Are the brackets on the rears you mention welded on or bolted?
I honestly never gave them a second though until about 20 minutes before I started this thread.....

I assume the mount holes in the frame are what I have circled in the pic below.  It's the passenger side looking forward:
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 07, 2008, 01:32:18 PM
Yep, those are the holes, Paul.

The factory quad brackets on the rear ends are welded on.
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: V8Demon on November 07, 2008, 02:00:09 PM
Hmm.  That makes things more difficult.  Either way I'd need a set of frame mounts for our cars which are  obviously different than the Fox/SN Mustang variants. 

My guess is there's GOT be a part #'s for that little pieces.  As far as the rearend brackets....I suppose it wouln't be difficult to fab something up.  Looks like it's fairly simple.  I'll have to bring a tape measure the next time I'm at the yard.  I'll keep my eyes peeled....

Wish me luck ;)
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 08, 2008, 09:59:00 PM
Let us know what you find out. I kinda want them for my car ;)
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: BCA on November 09, 2008, 10:47:59 AM
Quote from: V8Demon;242067
My guess is there's GOT be a part #'s for that little pieces.


Paul, you are correct in your guess. ;)
Here you go:

E5SZ-4A490-A (driver side)
E5SZ-4A491-A (passenger side)

I would be very surprised if Ford still had them available so finding new ones would most likely be pretty difficult.
You will probably need to find a set off of one of the cars that Eric mentioned.
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: V8Demon on November 09, 2008, 01:04:13 PM
Have I told you I love you?  :hick:

Thanks!!
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: the_intimidator03 on November 10, 2008, 05:13:06 AM
i may have 2 7.5 inch rear ends with quad shock brackets on them.  so templates could be made easily,  i do nto have much desire for quad shocks
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: 1BadBird on November 11, 2008, 06:12:11 PM
Hey Lou!!! If you can make it over next Tuesday or wednesday, I'll give you the brackets for your car.......Those I know where they are.  :mullet:  :mullet:  Or any of those days till the end of the year.  Call my cell phone.    John
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: 1987tbird5.0 on April 22, 2014, 09:08:25 AM
Has anyone replaced their original quad shocks with newer shocks? I'm wondering if it would make any difference in handling or launching. I don't know how to see if mine are worn out without taking them off the car. And if I do that, I might as well replace them, right?
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: Aerocoupe on April 22, 2014, 09:36:44 AM
For all the hassle of putting quad shocks on the car why not just install some quality uppers and lowers like the CHE units and be done with it?  With a quality set up aftermarket UCA's and LCA's the quad shocks are not needed and they get in the way of things like wide tires.  If you are putting a car back stock then I get it but otherwise why do it?

Darren
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: Beau on April 22, 2014, 11:44:00 AM
I know this thread is older than dirt itself, but, with a 275/40 on an '04 bullitt wheel, there was clearance with my quad shocks on my '88 Sport. I kept the quads on the car when I swapped in the TC rear.

I don't know what size tire would interfere, but it's bigger than mine.

I don't know if there's a difference in length with the Mustang quads vs the Tbird Sport quads...perhaps a part number search on a couple of the big box part store websites would narrow it down..

I've also got the CHE rear c/a's too. Wheelhop? What's that? (probably something that those with much more power than mine had.. struggled with...)
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: custompunk on April 22, 2014, 01:36:53 PM
Didn't see it mentioned even though this is a super old thread, but my 84 TC came with a 7.5 Track Lock and quad shocks.  Also bump for replacement part number.
Title: Quad Shocks for a 7.5"?
Post by: vinnietbird on April 23, 2014, 06:45:25 AM
I think they run about $20 or so apiece. Look for axle dampers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Axle-Damper-Mustang-Quad-Shock-1988-1989-1990-1991-/301146722602?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AMustang&hash=item461dbe512a&vxp=mtr