Skip to main content
Topic: 5 lug and manual rack swap (Read 1832 times) previous topic - next topic

5 lug and manual rack swap

what is the cheapest way to swap an 88 Sport to 5 lug and manual steering?

i have been told that Mustang II racks and T-Bird racks are the same dimensions, any truth to this? $150 MII racks are more appealing than $500 Flaming River racks....
Currently Birdless but never Foxless

86 Mustang GT

5 lug and manual rack swap

Reply #1
cheap? drill the axle and rotors

safe? 94-98 mustang axles, brakes, spindles, and struts
1979 Ford Fairmont
[/B]
5.0L/4R70W/8.8"/5-lug/3" Exhuast


5 lug and manual rack swap

Reply #2
I have heard that the pinto racks are the same. I used a power steering rack out of a mustang, so it should be about the same as swapping it into a mustang. If you want to do a search for that. Check out coolcats.net in the tech info sectrion. It will sell you everything you need to know about 5 lug, or you can do a search here.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

5 lug and manual rack swap

Reply #3
so 94-98 stang axle shafts are the right length for a t-bird axle housing? i was going to get ranger shafts until i found out the t-bird axles are different from stangs.

Speedwaymotors.com lists 83-88 t-bird racks as power racks for use on mustang II front clips. that makes it look like the mounting points would be the same.
Currently Birdless but never Foxless

86 Mustang GT

5 lug and manual rack swap

Reply #4
You can use 8.8 axles on a 7.5?

5 lug and manual rack swap

Reply #5
the axles aren't different, the housing is.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

5 lug and manual rack swap

Reply #6
huh never knew that.

5 lug and manual rack swap

Reply #7
so can i use ranger axles in my 88 Sport axle housing?
Currently Birdless but never Foxless

86 Mustang GT

5 lug and manual rack swap

Reply #8
If you already have 79-93 mustang spindles you can use a Lincoln MK VII rotor (already drilled 5 lug), The ranger/aerostar axle 5 lug and rear brake swap and a Checkers/ Auto-Zone Fox mustang manual rack swap....that would be the cheapest.

If you have the stock size 10" (?) front brakes, you can use a ranger rotor that is already 5 lug for the front. ( I have no idea if it will fit, no one that I know of has kept those meager brakes.)

5 lug and manual rack swap

Reply #9
If you already have 87-93 mustang/ 87-88 TC spindles you can use a Lincoln MK VII rotor (already drilled 5 lug), The ranger/aerostar axle 5 lug and rear brake swap and a Checkers/ Auto-Zone Fox mustang manual rack swap....that would be the cheapest.

If you have the stock size 10" (?) front brakes, you can use a ranger rotor that is already 5 lug for the front. ( I have no idea if it will fit, no one that I know of has kept those meager brakes.)

5 lug and manual rack swap

Reply #10
Do a search on 5 lug swap.

Manual rack cheapest comes down to the junkyards around you and the time you have. If you can find a rack from a Fox body car (Mustang, Capri, Fairmont, Zephyr) you will also need the steering shaft. Or you can get the adapter  from Summit.

If you are going to buy a reman rack, dont. You can spend a little extra on a Flaming river off Ebay seriously. From all the shopping I have been doing the past few weeks that is what I have found.

Also 79-81 Mustangs have different inner tie rods then 82-89 if you do get a reman. It all depends on what you end up doing for 5 lug.

If you go SN95 spindles you will also need to swap tie rods, inner and outer from what I have read.

Search will be your friend as well as CoolCats.net.
1986 Cougar LS

5 lug and manual rack swap

Reply #11
i think i'm just going to buy a complete v6 5 speed sn95 i found for $400, wrecked in the front. going to use the trans, front and rear suspension, and the rear axle. that is unless he already sold the car.
Currently Birdless but never Foxless

86 Mustang GT