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A-arms interchange

I was curious. if perhaps people know of the different lengths of A-Arms that will fit our fox bodies.. if i remember correctly the sn-95 A-arms bolt into place but put the wheel/tire assy further out to the sides.  Think we can get a list of the differents A-Arms that fit without modifications to our cars? also just a couple other questions. different struts from different cars? what fits what does? benifits of each Etc. Thanks yall

A-arms interchange

Reply #1
It depends on the year of car you're talking about.

The 83-86 Tbirds/Cougars used the 79-93 Mustang A-arms.

The 87-88's are the same length as the 94+ Mustang A-arms, but the SN-95 ball-joints are different and will not work with Fox spindles.

This is all pretty much covered on coolcats.net and via a search of this forum......
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

A-arms interchange

Reply #2
ah ok.. just tryin to see the different ventures with the fox bodies. be it cougar/tbird/stang etc  i did find out my 89 2.3 mustang motor mounts wont work in my 84 cougar :-| unless i were to cut n weld stuff.

A-arms interchange

Reply #3
Quote from: the_intimidator03
i did find out my 89 2.3 mustang motor mounts wont work in my 84 cougar :-| unless i were to cut n weld stuff.


Not sure how that could be (unless the Cougar is not 2.3T) I have both 84 Cougar 2.3T and 89-ish 2.3 Mustang motor mounts in the garage...they are identical.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

A-arms interchange

Reply #4
my 84 cougar is the 3.8 v6... im tryin to stick a n/a 2.3 in it... it looks as if my 86 mustang 2.3 n/a mounts would work... cept i dont have the metal bracket from the rubber isolator to the engine itself.  my 89 2.3 mounts have 2 bolts that go around the rubber isolator (this is off the top of my head atm.) and has two tabs (on 89 stang K-Member) with one side threaded and a bolt that runs through it... you remove that 1 bolt and u can pull the entire 89 engine mount with isolator.

A-arms interchange

Reply #5
Trust me..I know how the motor mounts work ;)

Sounds like the 89 mounts were taken apart.

If you have the 86 ones though...should work fine.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

A-arms interchange

Reply #6
the problem is im missing the bracket that goes from the engine block to the rubber isolator :-|
and i can disasymble and reassymble the 89 mounts how they were on the car... i outta get pictures next time up at the shop im bringin A. what parts of my 86 mounts i have. B. 89 mounts. C. pics of my cougar finally

A-arms interchange

Reply #7
Ok im havin issues getting my pic up online but... i have a pic of motor mounts. i beleive there is a bracket that mounts to the cross member that has 2 tabs that go on the inside of the tabs of the actual mount/isolator then the threaded bolt goes through the holes in the tab... Chuck... do ya understand that? if so... that bracket that mounts to cross member is what i do NOT have..  is that what im missing to make the 89 mustang mounts work on my 84 cougar?
    Sincerely,
                Eric

A-arms interchange

Reply #8
You're missing the K-member adapter brackets that were used on the 4  cyl cars.  You might be able to find some in a JY.  The 83-84 TCs also use the same adapter bracket as the 2.3NA Mustangs.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

A-arms interchange

Reply #9
well i have located a 87-93 4 banger stang to get those K-Member brackets for bout 20 bucks me pull em... guess ill get em.. Thanks Chuck for helping me out.. i didnt want to go get a different motor :))

A-arms interchange

Reply #10
Quote from: Chuck W

The 87-88's are the same length as the 94+ Mustang A-arms, but the SN-95 ball-joints are different and will not work with Fox spindles.




...without modification I assume. I can machine the top part of the mount down so that the nut will engage enough to lock the threads - correct? The taper seems to fit properly otherwise - no?
11.96 @ 118 MPH old 306 KB; 428W coming soon.

 

A-arms interchange

Reply #11
Would it not be possible to just use a Fox balljoint in the SN95 control arm?
-Jim
1987 Cougar LS 5.0


A-arms interchange

Reply #12
You could swap ball-joints as mentioned, or if you're feeling froggy, then yes, machining the spindle down so the ball joint boss is shorter would work too.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

A-arms interchange

Reply #13
That's what I'm going to do. I got the 2003 Cobra arms and I have no intension of removing the ball joints. i have a milling machine in my garage so machining it is no problem.
11.96 @ 118 MPH old 306 KB; 428W coming soon.