Differneces in 87-88 T-bird and Cougar side molding?

Topic: Differneces in 87-88 T-bird and Cougar side molding? (Read 982 times) previous topic - next topic

Differneces in 87-88 T-bird and Cougar side molding?

June 24, 2011, 08:56:23 PM

So does anyone happen to know if there is a difference in the vinyl side moldings on 87-88 T-birds and Cougars? The reason I'm asking is I was going to swap the molding on the drivers side door on the T-bird for one I pulled off of an 88 Cougar last year (the one on the T-bird has a tiny 1/8" gouge that only I ever seem to notice :hick:). I pulled the T-birds molding off and went to replace it with the one from the Cougar and noticed that it was about 1/4 inch shorter in length than the molding on the T-bird. I had removed the aluminum adhesive backing last year when I bought it so perhaps it shrank sitting with out the aluminum adhesive strips? I ended up just pulling the aluminum backing off the one from the T-bird and re-installing it so the car looked right. My T-bird has a September 87 build date and as such has some carry over 87 parts (the color code in the wring harness matches an 87 and not 88 T-bird) and the Cougar I pulled the molding from had a March 88 build date. Did Ford perhaps change the length of the side moldings (i.e. making door molding shorter and the front fender molding longer to cover it up) on later production 88 cars? I just can't figure out why the molding would be 1/4 inch short. It's weird.

Differneces in 87-88 T-bird and Cougar side molding?

Reply #1 – June 24, 2011, 09:18:52 PM

I don't think there is a diff in moulding. does the longer moulding still stop short of the door too? or does it cover the entire length?

Differneces in 87-88 T-bird and Cougar side molding?

Reply #2 – June 24, 2011, 09:20:33 PM

I'm not aware of any differences in the moldings. I think you're right--the aluminum removal probably shrinks the molding. I've noticed that with my own cars before. Good news is, 1/4" is only 1/8" per side, so it won't be as painful.

Differneces in 87-88 T-bird and Cougar side molding?

Reply #3 – June 25, 2011, 07:26:07 PM

So I guess there's a reason that Ford put the aluminum strips in the molding. I have the whole set of vinyl moldings from that Cougar so I can restore them when it comes time to paint the car. I guess I'll have to fidget with them to get them to fit right.

I wonder if laying them out in the sun on a hot day to warm them will make them expand?

Differneces in 87-88 T-bird and Cougar side molding?

Reply #4 – June 25, 2011, 08:41:39 PM

they should expand.... but when they cool down, they'll shrink again. maybe install them when it's hot out, and hope they stick and don't pull back..