Close



Results 1 to 12 of 12
  1. #1
    FEP Power Member dagenham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Duncannon PA
    Posts
    1,047

    Default 79-86 spindles vs 87-93

    There seems to be a very limited choice of front struts for our foureyed cars. But seemingly unlimited choices for the aero cars. Has anyone ever thought about machining the strut mounting area of the spindles to fit the newer struts mounting width for two big reasons. One, the obvious thing to fit the newer struts and two, to be able to keep the smaller brakes for the use of 13" 14" and some 15"wheels

    It seems to me that any competent machine shop should be able to simply mill of 1/8" off each side of the mount.

  2. #2

    Default

    I'd make you a helluva deal on some later 4cyl spindles. I believe these use the same small brakes as early foxes but have the narrow mount so you can get struts to fit. Correct me if that is wrong

  3. #3
    FEP Power Member dagenham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Duncannon PA
    Posts
    1,047

    Default

    I have set from an '88 4cyl car. I'll double check them but I'm pretty sure they are the same.

  4. #4

    Default

    Gt parts interchange with the 87-88 tc on every online listing of struts I've seen while the 4 banger stuff is always show compatible with the 86 down gts.
    2 1986 cougars (both 4 eyed and 5.0)
    1 1987 cougar

  5. #5

    Default

    I had a set of Lakewood drag struts and they were wider for mounting to both. They gave you a spacer to make up the gap when using on the later model spindles. At least they standardized it after the aero cars so you could use all the way up to 04 struts. I am sure you could machine your spindles to take the later struts, it would be a tricky setup in the Bridgeport and you would have to take a little off each side to keep it centered. You might be able to machine more caster into the spindle by angle milling but knowing which way and by how much is above my pay grade!!!

    Mike
    1982 GT 351W, retro hyd roller, ported Pro Comp heads, Tremec, M2300K brake kit, Recaros...needs paint!
    1984 LX 5.0 Vert *SOLD*
    1993 Cobra #3971 mostly stock *SOLD*
    1966 FFR Cobra replica 383W, Vic Jr heads, Vortech YS, TFS Box intake, 652rwhp, crazy fast!
    1987 GT in MM&FF May of 97 "Not Fade Away" white and purple. Sold 1999

  6. #6
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    Nebraska
    Posts
    4,575

    Default

    15" 10 holes will fit over the larger GT/LX front brakes. I had them on my V8 89 LX sport convertible, it came that way from the factory.

    Not sure about 14's

    Several struts out there will fit the 86GT which implies earlier cars too. My new struts came with 1/8" adapters that allowed me to use them with my SN95 spindles.

    if I were going through the trouble of swapping stuff on a driver and wanted to stay 4 lug I would use SVO balljoint adapters, 94+ balljoints, and 87-93 V8 rotors as it yields both better stopping and improved Ackerman.

  7. #7

    Default

    14" wheels definitely will not fit over the 11" front discs. But yes, the 10-holes do. And you would also need
    a later 15" spare. I have heard rumors that some early '85 10-holes don't fit without some massaging, but I
    have never seen a set of those.
    Cheers,
    Jeff Cook

    '85 GT Hatch, 5-speed T-Top, Eibachs, Konis, & ARE 5-Spokes ... '85 GT Vert, CFI/AOD, all factory...
    '79 Fairmont StaWag, 5.0, 62K original miles ... '04 Azure Blue 40th Anny Mach 1, 37K original miles...
    2012 F150 S-Crew 4x4 5.0 "Blue Coyote"... 65 coupe, 289 auto, Pony interior ... '67 coupe 6-cyl 4-speed ...
    '68 Vert, Mexican block 307 4-speed... '71 Datsun 510 ...
    And a 1-of-328 Deep Blue Pearl 2003 Marauder 4.6 DOHC, J-Mod, 4.10s and Lidio tune

  8. #8
    FEP Power Member dagenham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Duncannon PA
    Posts
    1,047

    Default

    The big thing about this is it is on my 85 Saleen and I want to replace the Bilsteins shocks and struts but don't want to have to use Monroe's or Gabriel's. I also want to keep the original Hyashi wheels that are 15 inch.

  9. #9

    Default

    Have you considered having the original Bilsteins rebuilt? It's not cheap, but if you're looking to preserve
    the originality, it may be your best option.
    Cheers,
    Jeff Cook

    '85 GT Hatch, 5-speed T-Top, Eibachs, Konis, & ARE 5-Spokes ... '85 GT Vert, CFI/AOD, all factory...
    '79 Fairmont StaWag, 5.0, 62K original miles ... '04 Azure Blue 40th Anny Mach 1, 37K original miles...
    2012 F150 S-Crew 4x4 5.0 "Blue Coyote"... 65 coupe, 289 auto, Pony interior ... '67 coupe 6-cyl 4-speed ...
    '68 Vert, Mexican block 307 4-speed... '71 Datsun 510 ...
    And a 1-of-328 Deep Blue Pearl 2003 Marauder 4.6 DOHC, J-Mod, 4.10s and Lidio tune

  10. #10
    FEP Power Member dagenham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Duncannon PA
    Posts
    1,047

    Default

    Couldn't seem to find much info on bisteins website but I didn't know if they rebuilt them like koni does or not.
    I might try to contact them and see.

  11. #11

    Default

    Here is some info for Bilstein from another forum I frequent. It was for a set of coilovers but they should be able to help you with your struts too. Hope this helps. Let us know how you make out.

    Mike


    Juan Alvarez : Bilstein
    Technical Center CoordinatorThyssenKrupp Bilstein of
    America, Inc. 14102 Stowe
    DrivePoway, CA. 92064Office:
    +1 858 386-5926Fax:
    +1 858 386-5945Email: juan.m.alvarez@thyssenkrupp.com
    1982 GT 351W, retro hyd roller, ported Pro Comp heads, Tremec, M2300K brake kit, Recaros...needs paint!
    1984 LX 5.0 Vert *SOLD*
    1993 Cobra #3971 mostly stock *SOLD*
    1966 FFR Cobra replica 383W, Vic Jr heads, Vortech YS, TFS Box intake, 652rwhp, crazy fast!
    1987 GT in MM&FF May of 97 "Not Fade Away" white and purple. Sold 1999

  12. #12
    FEP Power Member dagenham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Duncannon PA
    Posts
    1,047

    Default

    I sent an email to Bilstein. So now I wait for a reply.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •