Well I got my old 5.0 T-Bird back after 5 years and it just wasnt the same as it was when I sold it.The wiring was all messed up and so fourth.I thought I had the wiring figured out so I tested it.Low and behold there were more fried wires then I suspected.
To make a long story short, I went to the junkyard I work at today and pulled a complete 93 stang dash out along with all the wiring.I pulled my heater box out and put the stang one in, it fit right in like it was supposed to be there.I sat the dash up where it goes and believe it or not, its almost a direct fit.There are gonna have to be some mods done to it, but not much.The wiring for the seats, keyless entry, windows, lights etc. should be pretty easy with my EVTM.
I just wanted to share this bit of info.Its going to take some time but my old 5.0 Thunderbird will be running 12s again, maybe faster if money permits.
Thanks,
Chris
dont forget to shoot some pix
yeppers. we needs them pics.
I dont have any pics yet.I will this week-end and I have a long week-end over Thanksgiving so I will have some then for sure.But it looks to be a simple swap, just the wiring is going to be a PITA for all the acc. and lights.
Thanks,
Chris
i realy want to see that dash in your car. im look'n for ways to modify my dash to make it look better, different, or just plane more efficiant.
do you know where i can get a manual to show what wires are what for the instument cluster in a 87 bird.im doing a 95 stang dash and i have the wiring diagram for that car but 1@aol.comnot the bird email me if you couls turboed35
What cluster are you using? None of the cluster wires are going to work for your windows and so fourth.I have an EVTM from an 87 Bird that I could scan for you, well the pages that you need.Are you going to be needing brake lights and all that? Because they are different then the Mustangs.
That will be a cool swap when its done. I've even got an extra Mustang dash laying around.
Holy is all I can say.I went to fit the dash in today and I am going to have to make some custom brackets this is for sure.I tried to fit it when with all the wiring but it was to bulky and kept falling just as I was about to make my marks.I removed all the duct work and wiring and was able to get it set in.Now tomorrow I am going to cut the factory brackets off and fab up some new ones.Its just to hard with the factory brackets in trying to move it around and all.
I must say, this swap is not for someone who doesnt have patience or the correct tools, like a grinder or welder.Or any metal fabrication skills.
There should be a couple pics posted here tomorrow night with some progress.
Thanks,
Chris
sweet cant waite to see some pix. iv removed and installd these dash's like 3x and it is not for the faint of heart, expecialy if its a turbo car or well optioned in general.
Bring on the pics!!!!
Well its coming along pretty good.I didnt have to weld anything, just bend the orginal brackets and grind some of them off.I also had to use my Riv-Nut gun to make new anchors for the new bolts I needed to put in.The Mustang dash has like 6 bolts holding it across the top compared to the 3 for the Bird, so I opted to use 3.Other then that all I have to do now is bolt it all in.
The heater box and everything is in also.Everything lined up just like it was supposed to.Thats what suprised me the most.I had to trim the pass. side speaker cover some and most likey will the drivers side one also, I dont have that yet, oops.But I used the T-Bird pillar covers and they fit quite well.
This isnt an easy job though.Lots of patience and know how are needed.
(http://members.tccoa.com/lxtacy/dash%20f-s.jpg)
(http://members.tccoa.com/lxtacy/dash%20full.jpg)
(http://members.tccoa.com/lxtacy/dash%20speaker.jpg)
wow looks almost stock looking. Goodj job.
looks good. not a job id want to go threw just for looks. you'll like that dash for when your on the road and grab a bite to eat cup holder and anything else you can throw on the shelf. are you going to run the mustang console as well?
Thanks everyone.I am going to use the Mustang console but just the front part around teh shifter.I am going to graph the T-Bird one into it so I can have my window and seat controls still.
Thanks,
Chris
that would be the reason i was thinking about the swap. i wanted to use the mustang console and maybe blend it into the tbird one so i could have my e brake next to me, instead of a pedal. also i like the more modern pen 15pit style console and gauge surround. which brings me to my next question, what gauges are you going to use? and how will they be mounted if they are tbird ones.
More !!!! More !!!! More!!!!
i think the bird cougar console is the best but wont fit to that dash so graphing it in will be cool to see. also maybe the mn12 console could be made to work. kinda looks like the bird but you dont lose the switches on the console. i still find myself reaching for them sometimes. and the colom shifer once in awhile. in my mustang
I am going to be using the Mustang 140 speedo cluster for now.I have a gage cage for the center vents to put in later on, maybe oil and temp, or maybe oil and boost, who knows as of now.My mind changes everyday.In fact I almost sped the car last night, I was soooooooo mad, lol.
I am not putting the e-brake back in it so I could care less if its in the center or on the floor, lol.
The MN12s had thier switches on the doors and not the console.Thats why I am wanting to graph the turbo coupe console into the Mustang console.That way I have all my control at my side and have a nice center console to make things look neat.I am going tomorrow to pick up a Musatng console just to see how well it fits or even if it does fit, lol.Plus as I said, I am not using the e-brkae so the turbo coupe console will work great.
Thanks alot for your compliments and ideas.
Chris
Wow looks good. Are you going to leave the pony badge on there? I think it is really unique, but is something i would never do mainly because everyone keeps telling me just to get a mustang since they are so much easier and cheaper to sup' up. But it's like I don't want a mustang I want this, because it's different. Hehe, regardless, you get mad kudos.
Paul
P.S. I believe the word you guys are actually looking for is graft, not graph.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-cougar-drag-project-race-car-caged_W0QQitemZ4593719863QQcategoryZ6755QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Mustang dash in a 1988 Cougar drag car. With Mustang "counsel". ;)
DakotaEpic-Yeah that was the word I was trying to get out, but either way you understood what I was talking about.:D
Eric- That looks as bad as mine.Its coming along though.
I started fabbing the center console today.Isnt really that hard.Like I said, I am goning to "graft" the Mustang console into the Thunderbird console.I did some cutting and riviting today and then laid alot of fiberglass on it.Its starting to take shpe and it super sturdy.I will post pics maybe tomorrow or this week-end.
Thanks,
Chris
Hey that E-Bay Cougar link looks like it has a Mustang K-Member in it also.
This is a project I wouldn't mind trying once I get my new car.What is the wiring situation like?Is there a lot of harness mods?
Man, that's gotta suck. It looks like he had a lot of work into it already, but had to give up at the end of the money.
Well for the wiring, some of the wires are the correct color but everything is going to have to be wired in to the dash.I took all the dash wiring, engine wiring and the majority of it under the carpet from the Mustang.So basically I just have to tap into the T-Bird wiring whatever wire corrosponds with the Mustang wiring.For example the rear de-fogger, lights etc.Same goes for the front lights and so fourth.
Its not going to be as bad as it sounds, I just have to figure out the color codes for the Bird and Mustang and what wires do what.
Thanks,
Chris
:( contacted the guy about this car, and here is the email I received today...
Here are a few pics of the console.I am not quite done with it as you can see.I made that bridge between the shifter and controls so the control panel lip would fit under it and hold it tight, so far so good on that.I still have to lay some filler fiberglass on a few spots and prep it for paint.But all and all it turned out pretty good.
Thanks,
Chris
(http://members.tccoa.com/lxtacy/Console%201.jpg)
(http://members.tccoa.com/lxtacy/Console%202.jpg)
awesome...looks nice dude....!
wow... looks amazing
I'm Speechless. That's going to look good when your done.
I see a flaw in your design there budy!
You still don't have any freakin cupholder's!!!!!!!
:flip: man what a jerk :nono: just kiding but there are no cup holders lol:D
:rollin: :giggle: :rollin:
Thats hilarious.:D
nice one.