Hood latch support rod?

[Mustang5L5]

Was looking through pics of engine bays setups and say this particular rod. Mine doesn’t have one installed. Nothing was there and no sign of one ever being installed. Do all fox bodies have this?

runs from the left side of hood latch mount to the bottom core support

 

[General karthief]

My 89 gt has the tab but appears nothing has ever been bolted to it.
What year?

 

[Mustang5L5]

Unknown. I saw one on an 87-93 LX and one on a 87-93 GT.

mine doesn’t have it

 

[BlakeusMaximus]

My car doesn’t have it either, 1988 GT

 

[stanglx2002]

I don't have one on either of my 88's GT either.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I think these are 90-93 cars that had it. Strange part is the mounting points are existing

 

[Mustang5L5]

Well, I ended up buying one cheap (can’t imagine why?). And it does fit into my ‘88 fine upon a quick test fit.

I’ll paint it and add it. Can’t hurt right?

I think it hooks around the AC condenser, but not 100% sure as most cars I’ve seen pics are ac delete cars. This bar could be only on factory ac delete cars

 

[Mustang5L5]

On second thought, it does look like it would clear a condenser

 

[General karthief]

I measured the distance from the lower radiator support to the outside of my condenser and I have 1 3/4" , that may help you decide if it fits.

 

[kiddiccarus]

If I remember right, when I had my 93 it did have one. I took 3 SVO engines out of 86 fox's and they did not have them. I think the 90-93 are the only ones that it came stock on. Who knows what Ford does and why though

 

[HotFox]

I bet that was a add on for crash safety with Federal or something Ford seen during front crash testing with the lower rad support and upper rad support.

 

[CarMichael Angelo]

I'll bet it was added support for the hood latch.

 

[BlakeusMaximus]

Yeah, I think Carmichael is right. That thing wouldn't add any type of safety in a crash.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I think it’s also to support the hood latch. Just weird Ford would add it after 11 years without. Why spend the money?

that’s assuming this rod is 90-93 only.

 

[BlakeusMaximus]

I wonder if it has something to do with the airbag then, Ford started putting airbags in these cars started in 90? The front sensor sits right behind the upper tie bar on those if I remember right.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Slightly offset to the drivers side. Bar is on the other side. The more I find pics of this bar, the more it seems it’s 90-93 only.

here’s. 2.3 with it. Cebter crash sensor is a foot away

 

[kiddiccarus]

You all are getting way too amazed about this LOL....

 

[Mustang5L5]

How often do you learn something new about a foxbody?

 

[Steel1]

My 93GT does not have this mystery part.
The plot thickens....

 

[Mustang5L5]

Hmm. I wonder if the presence of factory ac makes a difference.

does anyone who has this wonder rod on their car have factory ac?