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Topic: UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles. (Read 4293 times) previous topic - next topic

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

I have a set of 95 stang spindles,hubs and brakes that I plan on using with a UPR  k member. My questions are what backspace rims do I need? Use 95 stang type rims? Also can anyone tell me if using 95 set up on 83-93 stang k member will work ok? I know I need camber plates and bump steer kit along with some k member spacers.
1988 Thunderbird LX  557/C6 project. UPR tube K-member, A-Arms, Strange 10 way adjustable coilovers. SN-95 spindle,brakes. Manual rack, bump steer kit.  MM castor/camber plates, Dynatech 2 1/8 swap headers. Quick 9" 35 spline Moser axles,CHE lower c arms,

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #1
We need to know what that K-member was modeled after.  There is a sticky at the top of this section regarding stock K-member dimensions for you to compare to. 

Also, what length arms are you using?

Another key note, when you ask questions, is to let folks know what year your car is.

You shouldn't need a bumpsteer kit, unless you're doing something oddball, or that K-member has whacked out geometry.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #2
Thanks, Chuck, I completely missed the K member sticky, been reading,rereading stuff till my head hurts. My car is an 88 Bird, originally a 302 car, I will have a 500+ cu in. I am planning to use the 79-93 UPR k member and the 95 spindle set up. It was from reading about the 95 spindles that I read about needing/using the bumpsteer kit. I also want to go with the coilover setup for that member. The arms to use? Im all ears if I need something different. I was planning on using the stang arms with that kit. I think they are a smidgeon shorter, but doable? I will read the k member sticky some more. All of the info about suspension upgrades are mind boggling. In the back I am gonna use an Autoweld Chassis 9" that is the correct width for Fox birds. part # 1403    http://autoweldchassis.com/vbi.ivnu
1988 Thunderbird LX  557/C6 project. UPR tube K-member, A-Arms, Strange 10 way adjustable coilovers. SN-95 spindle,brakes. Manual rack, bump steer kit.  MM castor/camber plates, Dynatech 2 1/8 swap headers. Quick 9" 35 spline Moser axles,CHE lower c arms,

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #3
I did not see an "A" comparison. From my reading on the 95 spindles, these will move the wheels out slightly, hopefully negating any difference in mustang control arm length.
1988 Thunderbird LX  557/C6 project. UPR tube K-member, A-Arms, Strange 10 way adjustable coilovers. SN-95 spindle,brakes. Manual rack, bump steer kit.  MM castor/camber plates, Dynatech 2 1/8 swap headers. Quick 9" 35 spline Moser axles,CHE lower c arms,

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #4
Not having ever put my hands on a UPR Kmember, I will take a SAWG and say that with a Kmember built to fox mustang specs, fox length arms, and 94-95 spindles, you will be pretty near stock width. sn95 17x8(+30mm offset) should fit fine. The standard 17x9(+24mm) may be a squeeze depending on how everything lines up.


For reference I am runnin a fox mustang width Kmember, sn95 length arms, and 95 spindles on my 87. This combination required more offset(17x8.5 +42) to keep the tires tucked into the fenders.
gumby - beauty may fade, but stupid is forever!

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #5
For quick reference to the OP, the Fox c/a's are a little shorter than '86-'88 Tbird/Cougar and SN95 c/a's...which is why gumby had the offset difference. Just a fyi, "in case you didnt get that far yet" for ya :)
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #6
More specifically, I need the higher offset wheels because the mustang Kmember is wider.

87-88 Tbrid and sn95 arms are the same length, but the Kmember pushed my stuff outboard. For V10KLZZ71S, using the wider Kmember in combination with the (relatively)shorter fox arms should be close to a wash.
gumby - beauty may fade, but stupid is forever!

 

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #7
Quote from: V10KLZZ71S;379091
In the back I am gonna use an Autoweld Chassis 9" that is the correct width for Fox birds. part # 1403    http://autoweldchassis.com/vbi.ivnu

I looked at that site, and I don't really agree with their statement that a "Mid-80's TBird" would use the same housing as a 99-04 Mustang.

The 8.8 housing used in the 87-88 TC's and the 7.5 used in the 80-(early)85 Tbirds/Cougars, was the same width as the 79-93 Fox and 94-98 Mustang 7.5 and 8.8 housings, not the 99-04 ones.  HOWEVER, the 7.5 used in the 85.5-88 TBirds and Cougars is pretty much the same width as the 99-04 stuff, and the housing is 1-1/2" wider overall than the other one.  There's a rear axle reference chart that's been posted around a few times that covers a bunch of the dimensions of the rear ends.

What you will want is a set up, with axles, that gives you the same overall width as the 94-98 Mustang stuff. Dimensionally, the 87-88TC and the 94-98 rear set-ups are the same. They have the same overall width, axle  to axle , as the Tbirds and Cougars.  This also uses the "narrower" housing as discussed above.  Some guys have used Fox Mustang length axles on the TBirds to help fit wider wheels, but it all depends on what wheel dimensions you have to work with.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #8
Great info guys!! I would not have guessed a stang k member was wider though. UPR assured me the k members work on my bird.Nothing was mentioned about c arms. Gumby, do I need 17" wheels? was thinking 15" Welds. They should clear my 95 brakes,no?
1988 Thunderbird LX  557/C6 project. UPR tube K-member, A-Arms, Strange 10 way adjustable coilovers. SN-95 spindle,brakes. Manual rack, bump steer kit.  MM castor/camber plates, Dynatech 2 1/8 swap headers. Quick 9" 35 spline Moser axles,CHE lower c arms,

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #9
Which 95 brakes? :hick:

I used 17's as the example b/c that is what I am most familiar with. If 15's clear your brakes, and they should fit over the standard V6/GT stuff(not Cobra like I am running), then standard sn95 offsets should still apply.

Clear as mud yet?
gumby - beauty may fade, but stupid is forever!

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #10
Quote from: Chuck W;379099
I looked at that site, and I don't really agree with their statement that a "Mid-80's TBird" would use the same housing as a 99-04 Mustang.

The 8.8 housing used in the 87-88 TC's and the 7.5 used in the 80-(early)85 Tbirds/Cougars, was the same width as the 79-93 Fox and 94-98 Mustang 7.5 and 8.8 housings, not the 99-04 ones.  HOWEVER, the 7.5 used in the 85.5-88 TBirds and Cougars is pretty much the same width as the 99-04 stuff, and the housing is 1-1/2" wider overall than the other one.  There's a rear axle reference chart that's been posted around a few times that covers a bunch of the dimensions of the rear ends.

What you will want is a set up, with axles, that gives you the same overall width as the 94-98 Mustang stuff. Dimensionally, the 87-88TC and the 94-98 rear set-ups are the same. They have the same overall width, axle  to axle , as the Tbirds and Cougars.  This also uses the "narrower" housing as discussed above.  Some guys have used Fox Mustang length axles on the TBirds to help fit wider wheels, but it all depends on what wheel dimensions you have to work with.

 
I have been reading that stuff too on the rearends, lots of info for my old brain to soak up. I was hoping to use a large as possible tire without mini tubbing if I can help it since I will have  bigblock power. I assume my 88 lx 302 car has a 7.5 in it now? I was actually looking at some 94 Cobra 8.8 's on ebay that have disks, but I dont think it would hold up to 600+ lb/ft trq. I will read up some more on your suggestion here. I really appreciate everyones help here. Thumbs up!!
1988 Thunderbird LX  557/C6 project. UPR tube K-member, A-Arms, Strange 10 way adjustable coilovers. SN-95 spindle,brakes. Manual rack, bump steer kit.  MM castor/camber plates, Dynatech 2 1/8 swap headers. Quick 9" 35 spline Moser axles,CHE lower c arms,

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #11
Quote from: gumby;379102
Which 95 brakes? :hick:

I used 17's as the example b/c that is what I am most familiar with. If 15's clear your brakes, and they should fit over the standard V6/GT stuff(not Cobra like I am running), then standard sn95 offsets should still apply.

Clear as mud yet?


Standard brakes, here is what I bought.
1988 Thunderbird LX  557/C6 project. UPR tube K-member, A-Arms, Strange 10 way adjustable coilovers. SN-95 spindle,brakes. Manual rack, bump steer kit.  MM castor/camber plates, Dynatech 2 1/8 swap headers. Quick 9" 35 spline Moser axles,CHE lower c arms,

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #12
Quote from: V10KLZZ71S;379101
Great info guys!! I would not have guessed a stang k member was wider though. UPR assured me the k members work on my bird.Nothing was mentioned about c arms. Gumby, do I need 17" wheels? was thinking 15" Welds. They should clear my 95 brakes,no?


I would verify what width that UPR is across the control arm mounting points ('B" & "C" in that thread), just to make sure what you're working with.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #13
Will do thanks Chuck,gumby and Thunderbirdsport!! Sittin out in the Gulf on a drilling rig wishing I was home working on my car.
1988 Thunderbird LX  557/C6 project. UPR tube K-member, A-Arms, Strange 10 way adjustable coilovers. SN-95 spindle,brakes. Manual rack, bump steer kit.  MM castor/camber plates, Dynatech 2 1/8 swap headers. Quick 9" 35 spline Moser axles,CHE lower c arms,

UPR k member and 95 mustang spindles.

Reply #14
A FULL KIT - Tubular Chome-moly K-Member & A-Arms, Coil Overs, Eibach Springs, Strange 10-Way Adjustable Struts, Ford Racing Motor Mounts, Hardware, and spacer kit.
 
    ** K-Member Info
    * 4130 Seamless Chrome Moly Tubing
    * Tig Welded in Billet Fixture
    * Silver Powder Coated Finish
    * Lighter and Stronger than Mild Steel

Buying this tomorrow.
1988 Thunderbird LX  557/C6 project. UPR tube K-member, A-Arms, Strange 10 way adjustable coilovers. SN-95 spindle,brakes. Manual rack, bump steer kit.  MM castor/camber plates, Dynatech 2 1/8 swap headers. Quick 9" 35 spline Moser axles,CHE lower c arms,