Build Thread '83 T-top Coupe - Welding Holes in My Rear

[Davedacarpainter]

The guy I got the IRS got back with me, the rack IS a ZM rack! Yay!

If a newly rebuilt one is about $185-$200, what should I offer for this one?

Also, concerning rebuilding, if I get this one, I wonder if I should find someone that is somewhat local to rebuild it for me. I think rebuilding a steering rack needs some specialized tools. Maybe Google and I need to spend some quality time together.

BTW, thanks Mike @Mustang5L5 for your write up on your swap. It really helps.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Do you have any reason to suspect it's bad?

A true OEM Ford 03/04 Cobra rack might hokd some value. Check completed listings on eBay to see what they sell for. I'd probably say $150ish if it physically looks ok and no leaks.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Do you have any reason to suspect it's bad?

A true OEM Ford 03/04 Cobra rack might hokd some value. Check completed listings on eBay to see what they sell for. I'd probably say $150ish if it physically looks ok and no leaks.

Nah, fact is Mike, I would bet it's fine and I may not have to rebuild it at all. New inner and outer tie rods and i'm probably good to go.

I should have it in two weeks.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Hey Nick. @bird_dog0347 I need for you to do me a favor once you have your mustang back down on it's wheels.

Would you take a picture with a tape measure and measure the distance between your coilovers and the sway bar on the IRS for me please. I'm doing some of that brain storming stuff.

The sway bar/coilovers clearance will be the problem child for mini-tubbing. Gots to do some thinking here.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I've got a feeling the FEP people aren't as thrilled about the IRS as I am......

Strange, I can change out to an 8.8 SRA (which wasn't offered in any '83 mustang) and be ok. They're even ok with the 351 idea. An IRS might be too much for them though. Even though it's a mustang part.

 

[a91what]

Well the fep guys are not the ones building driving or enjoying the car. I say do what makes it yours Dave even if we dont like it.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

This week i'll be ordering some undercarriage parts to get ready to do some work to Booger.

Of course there's the floorpan, crossbrace, right front subframe, etc.....

I'm also going to order these. I know that i don't need them in any shape or form, but.........they're so cool!

Berate me if you will, i'm getting them. These with the through the floor subframe connectors kind of like what @Hoytster has will make my little t-top pretty solid.

 

[RaggedGT]

I've got a feeling the FEP people aren't as thrilled about the IRS as I am......

Strange, I can change out to an 8.8 SRA (which wasn't offered in any '83 mustang) and be ok. They're even ok with the 351 idea. An IRS might be too much for them though. Even though it's a mustang part.

I haven’t checked in on your FEP thread in awhile,are you doing updates there again?

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I haven’t checked in on your FEP thread in awhile,are you doing updates there again?

Just now really Chris, I had to make my donation so they would host my pictures again.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

So, I think I will need to order a custom sway bar to make the mini-tub work.

 

[slow84lx]

Lot's of FEP'er's have IRS in their cars. Should be no problem over there.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Hey Jeff @TOOLOW91 , you've built some cars. What do you think about the mini-tub/IRS idea? See any issues i'm not?

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Lot's of FEP'er's have IRS in their cars. Should be no problem over there.

I forget over there sometimes you just don't get feedback quickly.

 

[TOOLOW91]

Hey Jeff @TOOLOW91 , you've built some cars. What do you think about the mini-tub/IRS idea? See any issues i'm not?

Only thing I see is with the offset of the wheel you need for the irs that you won’t get an agressive lip out of anywheel you choose . Width wise I think you can get a killer wide wheel on that thing !!

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Only thing I see is with the offset of the wheel you need for the irs that you won’t get an agressive lip out of anywheel you choose . Width wise I think you can get a killer wide wheel on that thing !!

Yeah, i really like the deep dish look, but.......I like the IRS more! 315's and an IRS would be fairly trick.

 

[Noobz347]

Lot's of FEP'er's have IRS in their cars. Should be no problem over there.

Oh, the sacrilege!

 

[TOOLOW91]

Yeah, i really like the deep dish look, but.......I like the IRS more! 315's and an IRS would be fairly trick.

Oh for sure . The thing is it really would be daunting to try and and narrow an IRS cradle to be able to get the offset out of the wheel .

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Oh for sure . The thing is it really would be daunting to try and and narrow an IRS cradle to be able to get the offset out of the wheel .

I agree, too daunting for me. I'll be happy with just the width of the tires though.

 

[CarMichael Angelo]

This week i'll be ordering some undercarriage parts to get ready to do some work to Booger.

Of course there's the floorpan, crossbrace, right front subframe, etc.....

I'm also going to order these. I know that i don't need them in any shape or form, but.........they're so cool!

Berate me if you will, i'm getting them. These with the through the floor subframe connectors kind of like what @Hoytster has will make my little t-top pretty solid.

Ohh, ohh, ohh!!! Let me be the first in beration line...
Dave!

If you insist on going IRS, axle torque ends. There will no longer be a need for a SRA reinforcement like those Wild ride battle boxes when there is no longer a control arm trying to pull that mount out of the floor. All the mounts do now is hold the cradle, and the cradle twists as a unit,.....which comparatively speaking would be non-existent.

Reinforce the boxes by all means, but if you're gonna insist on pissing your money away, I'm gonna move your thread around so many times here that you'll spend so much time trying to find it you'll be exhausted.

And maybe you'll forget about about doing dumb stuff.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Ohh, ohh, ohh!!! Let me be the first in beration line...
Dave!

If you insist on going IRS, axle torque ends. There will no longer be a need for a SRA reinforcement like those Wild ride battle boxes when there is no longer a control arm trying to pull that mount out of the floor. All the mounts do now is hold the cradle, and the cradle twists as a unit,.....which comparatively speaking would be non-existent.

Reinforce the boxes by all means, but if you're gonna insist on pissing your money away, I'm gonna move your thread around so many times here that you'll spend so much time trying to find it you'll be exhausted.

And maybe you'll forget about about doing dumb stuff.

Never