I have recently acquired an 84 TC with 250K miles and am working towards finishing the fuel system rebuild to get it running again. The next step on my list is to rebuild the suspension and brakes, I have sourced my brake rebuild parts already. I know that direct fit performance parts for the TCs are uncommon and that you usually have to interchange it with other Foxbody parts. This leads me to trying to find interchangeable parts to start the rebuild with, what models should I be looking for to best replace front and rear shocks/struts, springs, (would not mind a coilover conversion as long as it does not require to much fabrication) bushings, sway bars and maybe control arms. Is there a company that makes a kit that would cover most/all of these needs in one stop or will I need to shop around and grab from a few different places? Currently shock/strut wise I was looking at KYB Excel Gs and monroe coil springs. Please advise!
If you are looking to replace your rear springs, I found that Moog CC821'a are a perfect fit and sit about a 1/2" lower than stock. Stock 87-88TC's had the largest sway bars at 1 5/16", find one of those to replace yours. I did originally use new KYB front struts, but ended up swapping in the Koni's. I did not like the way the KYB's felt, they were a little too wallowy for me.
1988 Turbo Coupe, Black/Black, 5 Speed, Moonroof, T3/T4, ported E6, 255LPH, Kirban, Stinger Exhaust, MGW shifter, K&N, Gillis valve, BP1.5, PIMPx, Koni's
1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL, 390 6V, Big Solid cam, Headers,3.89's, 4 Speed, Vast and fast
1960 Ford Starliner, 292 Y Block, 312 4bbl intake, headers, 3 Speed, slow and low
Welcome to the forum! I have a full coilover conversion on my 88 which includes tubular front control arms and tubular upper and lower control arms in the rear. As Kuch pointed out, I also used the rear shock mounting bracket for the SN95 shocks. The front tubular control arms are also for a SN95 mustang; non-offset from maximum motorsports. The only "fab work" I had to do was drill out the tie rod holes on the steering knuckle to install a SN95 bump steer kit with my manual rack but as I recall there wasn't any fab work with the actual suspension install. The rear wells took a bit of "massaging" to fit the coilover spring but it's been fantastic for the 3 years I've had them. One other thing to note is that if you do go the coilover route, caster camber plates (a few places sell them like maximum motorsports) are highly recommended; both for adjustment capability and strengthening the shock tower mounting area.
88 Turbo Coupe: Front mount intercooler, MGW short throw shifter, full coilover conversion, tubular control arms front and rear, svo front brakes, vacuum assist brake swap, manual steering swap, GT35R turbo with external gate, pimpx ecu, 60lb injectors, 3 core aluminum radiator, Boport 1.5 cam, gutted upper, corbeau fixed back seats, and the list goes on.
Thank you both for the information you have provided. I think I will definitely be following in Kuch's footsteps. I will also update if any thing needs to be done different for my model!
I have thread on here somewhere about my suspension rebuild on my 84. Everything went awesome and was sharp tight and well damped. Except two issues. Front end came “loose” after a thousand miles or so. I think it’s the KYB struts falling apart, I also regretted using KYB strut mounts instead of the adjustable caster camber plate upgrade. Second, I had seemingly incurable binding in the rear upper control arms after rebuilding them. The solution was to swap them for CHEs.
Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Bright Canyon Red TuTone, Desert Tan Interior; 1 of 7 in this combo in 1984 according to Marti. 1 of 13,361 TCs in 84.
Rebuilt, 3-Angle Valve Job, SYB37 "OE/Small" Slider Cam
Full 3" Stinger Exhaust to Flowmaster 40, Gnari FMIC/Recirc/BPV, MBC @ 18psi, RF-E6 Manifold, Remote-Mount TFI, PC1 and Flowed 35# Injectors, Inline Walboro 255HP, Kirban AFPR
Rebuilt Suspension -- KYB & Energy Suspension
