Front Struts 1985 LX Vert 5.0

[TheManInDboX]

Guys,
It has been a while since i have been on here.. So i am sorry if this seems out of the blue..
But..
I have replaced all the suspension in the rear of the mustang, the shocks, dampners, wheel cylinders, shoes, drums, springs, etc...
All brand new.. There were some questionable things though.. The rear shocks that are in the book says one part number for the lx 5.0 and another for the GT, i ended up having to use the GT part because the LX part didn't fit..

Now i am on the front suspension and components.
I replaced the wheel bearings which the 5.0GT version didn't fit.. i ended up having to use the 3.8v6 bearings, the 4cyl disks, and the pads from a GT. The Struts are Gabriel Ultra series, i ordered the GT's but they didn't fit.. i am going to try the 4cyl tonight, but what i am trying to figure out, is does anyone have a part number for the correct front Struts, for a 1985 LX 5.0 Convertible? Is this a normal thing, or is my car some kind of failed project from long ago..
The title says it's an 85 LX 5.0, but i am wondering why the parts for said car don't seem to fit..
Thoughts?

[Travis T]

You are dealing with bad parts house information unfortunately. GT or LX would not matter for any of that stuff you are looking at.

One thing I may question is maybe someone upgraded your front brakes to later V8 parts, what diameter are your front rotors? All 85s should have 10" front brakes.

[Travis T]

After thinking about it for a minute, if you used V6 front bearings, you probably have the 10" brakes. All 85s have the same brakes, the shocks and struts should only be different for valving reasons. I have no idea how parts houses have the 79-86 stuff so screwed up.

[TheManInDboX]

After thinking about it for a minute, if you used V6 front bearings, you probably have the 10" brakes. All 85s have the same brakes, the shocks and struts should only be different for valving reasons. I have no idea how parts houses have the 79-86 stuff so screwed up.

Well that's all good to know..
Any idea what the heck the part number is for the front struts?
I will take any part.. figure the number would help..
I had to cut the bolt off the stock ones to get them out.. they were so rusted, it was just never going to happen..
I heated them up to the point where the rubber mounts were smoking, and still couldnt get the bolt off..

[Travis T]

I've converted to SN95 stuff so I have no clue. You just need to make sure the tabs for the spindle are 1" apart, not 3/4" apart.

[webestang]

I put Gabriel Ultras on my 85 4 banger #G56504. The GU's I put on my 88 5.0 were #G555551.

[KevinK]

Sometimes even the Ford Parts book has too many options.

84/86 from 12/83 w/special handling E6PZ-18124-B, no engine listed so 4 and 6 cyl.?
85/86 8 cyl. w/special handling E7ZZ-18124-A or AM-135 (which also fits 87/89 4 cylinder)
80/86 w/o special handling and from 12/83 AM-22 or E6PZ-18124-B Standard
80/86 w/o special handling and from 12/83 AM-21A or E6PZ-18124-B Heavy Duty

[Jerry peachuer]

Your dealing with crossover year crap

I ran into same thing with inner outer wheel bearing sizes and my stock 85 gt 1 owner car untouched with mods factory v8 car has the 4cylinder rotors 10"

The spindle has to be changed to move to the v 8 rotor which will have a different (spindle) ear thickness so you would have to use a different strut or use a spacer to make it work (I read this ) my car still has factory OEM struts

So if you get the wrong 87-up strut on your 4 cylinder (10") rotor it will require a spacer to my knowledge or my very limited knowledge or lack of
Someone on here will know for sure

Also your caliper slide pins will be different style 4 banger vs v 8 and spindle shaft is larger which requires larger bearings

To replace what you have just say 85 4 cylinder and you should be in luck with front suspension items except sway bar say v8 for that
On a good note the 4 banger stuff is lighter than the v8 stuff so win win

Tip on removing a rusted bolt heat it cherry red like you did and watch your face for splash back and quench it with cup of cold water a few times right away this will shock it and should come right off

This works great on brake line to rear wheel cylinder when your not trying to save wheel cylinder but you are trying to save break line (but careful with brake fluid)
And use proper line wrench

[bob85gt]

in 1985 the GT had slightly bigger bearings. (at least mine did) and while the 4/6 front brakes rotors will fit, you will need to buy new bearings for them.

[grabbergreen84]

'82 GT 5.0s got new bigger brakes. I think it was that year. Those were the V8 brakes through 1986, I believe. 1987 brought 'even bigger' brakes for the V8s, with the four-bangers getting the old smaller V8 brakes. The '87-'93 V8 spindles are of a different thickness where the strut bolts on.
So IIRC, '87-'93 aero four-banger brakes (and spindle) are the same as the ~'82-'86 V8 brakes.

If you're not worried about staying with the 4 lug setup, then IMO, if you're going to swap spindles, you might as well go to the '94-'95 spindles, 5 lugs, and even better brakes.