ive been browsing a few websites looking at suspension parts namely 50resto and the list different parts for xx-89 and 90-93. whats the difference between them. the reason i ask is if i plan on upgrading to different spindles or changing other things out i wanna know how its going to effect the parts that i need to order in the future.
The only differences I know of are the '89s had tilt steering and no airbags, and the interior has some minor changes over the years.
usually suspension stuff will fit anything between 79-93 with some exceptions. 87+ cars have different spindles up front so some stuff won't work on pre 87's unless you change out front spindles to the newer ones. That's as much as I know. Anyone else have any input?
ok heres an example if you go on 50resto and look up some of the maximum motorsport suspension kits they have stuff listed in two categories 87-89 and then 90-93. so whats the difference between the two sets of years? what did they do different on one set that would make parts not work for it?
That would be to allow for the different apron design that allowed bigger tires and wheels to fit on the later cars. Other than that, the suspension is the same from 87-93.
Yeah, 79-83 is one style caster/camber plate. Then 84-89. Then 90-93. I haven't looked at the difference between 84-89 and 90-93...but I know the 79-83 and the 84-89 has one stud set further back. I ran into this on Project 81 Hack Job while building the front suspension.
I think these companies lose a good deal of money by not saying, "oh hey this 87-93 stuff will work on your 79-XX with these few small changes.
Wasn't the new apron design introduced in 91 along with the pony wheels? I've got a 1990 coupe and always thought I had the smaller wheel wells as anything larger than a 225 tire seems to rub when the wheel is turned fully.
From the "Mustang 5.0 Technical Reference and Handbook" the suspension changes are as follows: "To increase wheel caster (and improve steering geometry during suspension compression), the tops of the front struts were relocated rearward, slightly closer to the cowl in the 1990 model. This improves cornering (by reducing understeer) and may also have a positive effect on tire wear. The K-frames's lower control arm pickup points were again repositioned to increase caster and improve both cornering ability and tire wear by reducing understeer. These revisions to the lower control arms' pivot points in the 1990 and later K frames adds caster when the control arm is compressed (during cornering and/or braking). Raising the front arms' inner pivots also effectively lowers the car's front roll center." This book is the 5.0 Fox body Bible. This is Mustang Gospel.
I got mine at Hastings. You may be able to order it through any bookstore. The ISBN number is: 0-8376-0210-6. When I found the ISBN # on the back there is also the Ford Racing Part # M-1832-Z4 This is the book you are looking for. http://www.bentleypublishers.com/product.htm?code=gfm5 Here is an excerpt, a good example of how the whole book is. http://www.bentleypublishers.com/gallery.htm?code=GFM5&galleryId=163
