t-bird disc brake conversion

[3GTS]

Does anybody know what is involved in doing a rear disc brake conversion on a 86 GT using 87/88 turbo thunderbird disc brakes. Just need to know if you still use the Mustang axles, hard lines, parking cables and any mods needed to do the conversion. And anybody have the parts? Thanks for any help.

[eric5oh]

Does anybody know what is involved in doing a rear disc brake conversion on a 86 GT using 87/88 turbo thunderbird disc brakes. Just need to know if you still use the Mustang axles, hard lines, parking cables and any mods needed to do the conversion. And anybody have the parts? Thanks for any help.

No on the axles, the TC ones are longer, no on parking brake too. Not sure on the hard lines. I have everything you need under my turbocoupe. LOL sorry had to

[Greywolf]

The TC axle is (IIRC) 1.5" longer than the existing axle, so the wheel offset will need to be about 3/4" different on each side. Additionally, the parking brake cables are different and so you'll need to figure them out (probably can have custom ones made for not too much if your current outer cables are okay? Or you might be able to modify the TC ones at the handbrake lever?) . I'm not sure about the brake lines but I'm sure with all the other mods, making the hard lines on the axle itself mate up to the Mustang will mostly be a matter of plumbing. I'd buy all new lines to do it with (on the axle itself, at least).

Ben

[Dean_T]

Well, you can buy brackets from North Race Cars to use Fox Mustang length axles with TC rear brakes. The TC rear axles are 3/4" longer than the Fox Mustang axle.

I could have sworn the TC's were foot brake operated. I had grabbed the rear cables and the cross over cables from a TC to stuff on my wagon at one time but ditched the idea since drums have better holding power than disc and I treat my wagon like a truck.

Dean T

[Zephyr 351C]

I wont swear to it, but I think you need to use SVO cables for TC rear discs.

Hardlines are easy to deal with. You can't get them pre-bent so you'll have to fit them yourself. You may need adapters to thread a standard 3/16 line into the calipers' soft lines, but that should be it.

[3GTS]

Looks like maybe I should forget this idea, seems like too much trouble for the results.
Thanks for everyones reply.

[Greywolf]

If you have the parts available, it's doable. It's just not super-easy. The big stuff goes in, the plumbing gets plumbed and then you have to play with wheel offsets (which is no big deal if you're already planning on buying a set of rims), brake plumbing (which is no big deal if you buy new brake lines at the same time and replace the 20 year old junk that's on there), and parking brake cables (which just requires a little creative work or parts searching, and/or having a place that makes cables put together a cable for you).

If you have the axle but no access to the parts car for brackets, widgets, etc...then I'd think twice.

Ben

[StangBoy]

its not as hard as it seems. just lots of details. ford racing offers the parking brake cables for something like $50.

[eric5oh]

its not as hard as it seems. just lots of details. ford racing offers the parking brake cables for something like $50.
$20 each from Rock Auto. I just got them for my TC

[3GTS]

I was planing on buying everything new anyway (everything else on the car is new), I don't mind the work involved, just need to find the backing plates and I guess the axles (if understanding correctly) and what ever else I can't buy new. As for the wheels I have already bought chrome Cobra R replicas, that's why I was wanting to keep it four lug, that and if I need replacement parts I can go down to the local auto store. Thanks again

[Donstang86]

I was planing on buying everything new anyway (everything else on the car is new), I don't mind the work involved, just need to find the backing plates and I guess the axles (if understanding correctly) and what ever else I can't buy new. As for the wheels I have already bought chrome Cobra R replicas, that's why I was wanting to keep it four lug, that and if I need replacement parts I can go down to the local auto store. Thanks again

Yoy can probably get the Calipers/rotors new if you want. You will spend a hell of a lot of money for everything.

I am in the process of doing the conversion. I recommend the following:

1) Find a junk 87-88 Turbocoupe. Automatics have 3:73 8.8s and 5 Speeds have 3:55 8.8s Buy the rearend. You an get these for $100-$200 depending on where you look. Sometimes you can find the whole car for that price. A Turbocoupe can normally be found that you can part out and pay for the rearend.

2) When you get the Turbocoupe Rearend, plan on redoing all the brakelines. I am going to set mine up mirroring my 86 brakeline where the connection to the supply is in the same location as the standard 86 GT.

I am concerned about the width of the rear end. If you have 17" wheels (mine are 17"x8.5"), you can roll the quarterpanel lips. I will not do that. I plan on using Steeda Weight Jackers and keep the rear above the wheelwells. In case your curious, the front spings wil be stock height.

I may have a set of Turbocoupe Axles. I need to go through my stuff.
94-2004 Mustang E brake cables, calipers and dust shields should be the same.

[tfs2121]

so 94-04 mustangs use the same rear disc parts as the TC???

[gdniel]

No they are different.

[Donstang86]

I am hoping the only differences are the rotors & axles. I picked up a set of axles from a 97 Mustang Cobra. I have a set of Turbocoupe axles that are out of the rear end and I will compare the two. I would bet the axles and rotors are the differences.

Anyone out there know for sure?

[gdniel]

P.M. fordguy, he tried mixing parts years ago and found out the brackets are slightly different and don't interchange. Rotors are different, axles are the same length just 4 and 5 lug being the difference there.

[Donstang86]

The rotors and axles are a definite. I wonder if the differences in the brackets will cause a problem using cobra rotors/axles.

[gdniel]

The t-bird TC /93 cobra brackets can't be used with the 94-up 5 lug disc rotors or calipers.

[mikes82GT]

Go to www.turbotbird.com/ then to tech articles, scroll down to middle of page to drivetrain and click on rear axle swap.
Hope that helps, Mike