1983 Tbird

Topic: 1983 Tbird (Read 3577 times) previous topic - next topic

1983 Tbird

October 24, 2006, 04:12:39 PM

Hello everyone.I am new to this forum and thought i would post a pic of my 1983 Tbird.

It is pretty much all original (even the tires).It has the v6, 29,000 original miles.I have alot of plans for it and and hoping to get alot of info from you all to help me along the way.
First thing I want to do is,change to 5 lug rotors and axle shafts so I will be checking the rear end this weekend to see wich axle shafts I will need.
Anyway,just wanted to say hello

1983 Tbird

Reply #1 – October 24, 2006, 04:18:20 PM

Welcome to the board.

1983 Tbird

Reply #2 – October 24, 2006, 04:18:26 PM

Welcome,
you tbird looks really clean, can't wait to see photos of your progress.

Daniel

1983 Tbird

Reply #3 – October 24, 2006, 04:22:57 PM

You will need SN-95 Mustang axles if you are planning a 5-lug axle swap.

1983 Tbird

Reply #4 – October 24, 2006, 04:30:26 PM

welcome, good luck on the project....

1983 Tbird

Reply #5 – October 24, 2006, 04:59:48 PM

Are you planning just drums or disks on the rear?

1983 Tbird

Reply #6 – October 24, 2006, 05:18:50 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;109862

Are you planning just drums or disks on the rear?

I would like to keep the drums. If at all possible,I would like to just remove the old axle shafts and replace them with the proper 5 lug shafts,using all the original parts from the brake assembly.is this possible?

1983 Tbird

Reply #7 – October 24, 2006, 05:56:03 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;109854

You will need SN-95 Mustang axles if you are planning a 5-lug axle swap.

Don't 83-85.5s have Fox Mustang width rears... sir?

BTW, welcome. What wheels do you plan on using?

1983 Tbird

Reply #8 – October 24, 2006, 06:08:02 PM

Quote from: Ether947;109871

Don't 83-85.5s have Fox Mustang width rears... sir?

BTW, welcome. What wheels do you plan on using?

Uh....no.

Housings? Yes. Axles themselves? No.

There is no drop in way to do 5-lug drum on the Tbirds.
However, you can with SN-95 axles (94+) and Ranger rear drums (say from an 87 2WD w/ the 9" drums) you can make it work with a little machine work on the drum or the axles. You will need to turn the center hub down on the axle to match the drums, or bore the drum center bore out to match the axle hub. Personally I would vote for moding the drum. The rest of the brake stuff will remain the same. I ran something similar on my 83 when I first converted it to 5-lug.

1983 Tbird

Reply #9 – October 24, 2006, 06:10:36 PM

Quote from: Ether947;109871

Don't 83-85.5s have Fox Mustang width rears... sir?

BTW, welcome. What wheels do you plan on using?

I am looking at these http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=WLD%2D93%2D56346&N=700+4294923107+4294923106+115&autoview=sku

I do realize I will need to get new drums also.I am just looking for the easiest way to do the 5 lug with out to much modding

1983 Tbird

Reply #10 – October 24, 2006, 06:16:50 PM

I pretty much told you the easy way. It would take a machine shop 1/2 hour to mod one or the other. The only other way narrows the rear track and you'd have to swap the backing plates for the drums to Mustang stuff.

Also, personally...I wouldn't spend the time converting to 5-lug for narrow 15" wheels, but that's just me....

1983 Tbird

Reply #11 – October 24, 2006, 06:18:14 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;109872

you can make it work with a little machine work on the drum or the axles. You will need to turn the center hub down on the axle to match the drums, or bore the drum center bore out to match the axle hub. Personally I would vote for moding the drum.

I can do this (I am a machinist) so it looks like I need to get axle shafts and drums from a 87 or so Ranger and turn the inside dia. of the drum to match the axle shaft? are both axle shafts the same length?

1983 Tbird

Reply #12 – October 24, 2006, 06:27:14 PM

No..I said to get SN-95 Mustang axle shafts and Ranger drums.

Yes, both axles shafts are the same length.

1983 Tbird

Reply #13 – October 24, 2006, 06:29:20 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;109878

No..I said to get SN-95 Mustang axle shafts and Ranger drums.

Yes, both axles shafts are the same length.

ok thank you very much

I agree, those rims are to narrow (thats just the style I want) I am going wider in the rear.

1983 Tbird

Reply #14 – October 28, 2006, 10:02:36 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;109872

Uh....no.

Housings? Yes. Axles themselves? No.

There is no drop in way to do 5-lug drum on the Tbirds.
However, you can with SN-95 axles (94+) and Ranger rear drums (say from an 87 2WD w/ the 9" drums) you can make it work with a little machine work on the drum or the axles. You will need to turn the center hub down on the axle to match the drums, or bore the drum center bore out to match the axle hub. Personally I would vote for moding the drum. The rest of the brake stuff will remain the same. I ran something similar on my 83 when I first converted it to 5-lug.

I know the about the housing and the axle difference, good sir. 83-85.5 TBirds use longer axles in the Mustang housing with deeper drums (i know the entire drum isn't deeper, just can't think of the words...) to offset the length. On second thought, I am not completely sure of the years as my rear was swapped out before I bought the car due to a bent axle.

But the point I was trying to make is he could use the typical ranger axle/drums that Stang owners use. Yes his wheels would be pulled in just like mine were, but hardly anyone knew the difference. Spacers and deep dish wheels are readily available to fill that void as well.