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Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: 1986Élan on October 23, 2009, 04:43:42 PM

Title: rear swaybar
Post by: 1986Élan on October 23, 2009, 04:43:42 PM
Hi i wanted to know if i can put a rear swaybar on my 86 bird with stock control arms,
if so  wich bar is better to go with  will mustang bars work
how do we install them and the whole 9 yards

thanx everyone
Title: rear swaybar
Post by: Romeo2k on October 23, 2009, 05:57:24 PM
Earlier Fox Bars are smaller in diameter and possibly solid metal.
Later SN95 Bars are thicker and seem to be hollow.
Both are the same shape and mounts.
*Source: Have an '88 and '95 Mustang Rear Sway bar in the garage.

As for installing onto a non-factory equipped rear end, I would imagine it would fit fine.
May possibly need holes drilled.

I'll go take a look at the stock arms on my '84 and reply back.
Title: rear swaybar
Post by: 1986Élan on October 23, 2009, 06:02:10 PM
i saw holes on the stock arms  i assumed it was for swaybar install 
didnt xr7 and turbocoupes share the same lower control arms with the base and élan cars
(i have an élan)
Title: rear swaybar
Post by: Romeo2k on October 23, 2009, 06:05:53 PM
Looks to be that way~
Just checked, And mine has the mounting holes as well (V6 Car).
Title: rear swaybar
Post by: 1986Élan on October 23, 2009, 07:16:39 PM
cool thanks
Title: rear swaybar
Post by: Ductape91 on October 25, 2009, 07:40:00 PM
i grabbed one from an 84 v8 cougar for my mustang a few years ago at the junkyard. its been on my 91 mustang, my 84 vert. and my 86 tbird and fit with no issues and didnt have to lift the car to put it on or take it off. the holes were there on all of them and everything bolted up like it should.
 if memory serves me right it had a green stripe/tag on it, it was solid also. i dont recall ever seeing one that didnt have the holes on the control arm to mount it from the factory. probly shouldve grabbed the front bar but didnt think it would fit on the mustang.
if you do find one dont forget the metal clips.
its currently still is attached to my 86 tbird that i gave to my sister so im going to have to find another now.
Title: rear swaybar
Post by: thunderjet302 on October 26, 2009, 06:51:48 PM
All the T-bird/Cougars had the holes for the sway bar. You just need the sway bar and the bolts and clips to put it on:D
Title: rear swaybar
Post by: QUICKSHIFT on October 28, 2009, 08:04:43 PM
I used a front and rear bar from an 88lx (mustang) on my 84 cougar to replace the stock V8 ones and the difference was noticeable in that there was less body roll in the corners. The rear bolted right in but the front needed the bushings from the 88lx as the bar is thicker.
Title: rear swaybar
Post by: 1986Élan on October 28, 2009, 08:11:32 PM
and what about the end links? you kept the bird ones or you went with 88 lx mustang as well 

arent the ones for a bird longer than the ones from a stang?
Title: rear swaybar
Post by: QUICKSHIFT on October 28, 2009, 08:41:03 PM
Quote from: 1986Élan;296811
and what about the end links? you kept the bird ones or you went with 88 lx mustang as well 

arent the ones for a bird longer than the ones from a stang?


I used the metal part from the cougar that houses the bushings and upgraded the bushings with a part from ENERGY suspensions but retained the stock cougar end links as they were new. I did notice the distance from ctr to ctr on the bar ends to be approx 1" narrower than the stock cougar bar but it works fine and checked good during alignment.
Title: rear swaybar
Post by: 1986Élan on October 28, 2009, 08:47:45 PM
Quote from: QUICKSHIFT;296819
I used the metal part from the cougar that houses the bushings and upgraded the bushings with a part from ENERGY suspensions but retained the stock cougar end links as they were new. I did notice the distance from ctr to ctr on the bar ends to be approx 1" narrower than the stock cougar bar but it works fine and checked good during alignment.


sorry im not sure i got that Quick shift  did you mean the bar is 1 inch narrower?
Title: rear swaybar
Post by: QUICKSHIFT on October 28, 2009, 08:54:14 PM
Quote from: 1986Élan;296822
sorry im not sure i got that Quick shift  did you mean the bar is 1 inch narrower?


YES. As an example using hypothetical #s, the cougar bar is 52" ctr to ctr while the mustang bar is only 51"
Title: rear swaybar
Post by: 1986Élan on October 28, 2009, 09:02:48 PM
i was pretty sure using the eibach kit (front and rear swaybar)for the 79- 93 mustang would work    now comes how much milimeter to get as different mustangs models had different bars  like the cobra for example

could it be as simple as saying  adding a thicker front sway bar and adding any mustang rear swaybar will be just fine  or theres more to consider
Title: rear swaybar
Post by: QUICKSHIFT on October 28, 2009, 10:49:51 PM
Quote from: 1986Élan;296826
i was pretty sure using the eibach kit (front and rear swaybar)for the 79- 93 mustang would work    now comes how much milimeter to get as different mustangs models had different bars  like the cobra for example

could it be as simple as saying  adding a thicker front sway bar and adding any mustang rear swaybar will be just fine  or theres more to consider
I bought an 88lx for the motor and ended up using the sway bars, front spindles,rotors, short block(swapped to a carb), pedal assembly and T-5, rear end (8.8) etc,etc. Now to really stir things up contrary to popular methods, I used front and rear springs from an 86 GT hatch which lowered the front 1 1/8" and the rear 1 1/4" to give me a nice stance with excellent handling when combined with the sway bars.:D  BUT remember, no 2 cars are alike. I tried to post some pics but the files are too big...sorry.
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