IRS in a fox

Mustang5L5 · Aug 5, 2007

I have a lead on a cheap one. I've always wanted to do an IRS swap before.

I know it's been done as i've seen pics. But are there any write-ups?? WHat mods need to be done to make it work??

Hizzle · Aug 5, 2007

I have the article around here somewhere, I will do some looking and shoot ya the link. I thought about doing it, too. There is a setup around here for 2,000 complete with all arms, springs, etc... From the article it didn't sound too bad, but you how that works.

jrichker · Aug 5, 2007

One of the guys here in the 5.0 Forum did it and posted a nice writeup with lots of pictures. It has been within the last six months, so a search my bring up the post.

One link to an outside source http://www.mouthbreather.net/IRSSWAP.HTML

Hizzle · Aug 5, 2007

jrichker said:
One of the guys here in the 5.0 Forum did it and posted a nice writeup with lots of pictures. It has been within the last six months, so a search my bring up the post.

One link to an outside source http://www.mouthbreather.net/IRSSWAP.HTML

yup, that was the link i was going to send ya.

Mustang5L5 · Aug 5, 2007

awesome thanks. WIll have to read.

The IRS i'm lookingh at is supposedly up for grabs at $600. We'll see if that's true

Hizzle · Aug 5, 2007

The one here is gone. It only had about 7000 miles on it and looked like it was brand new. One for $600? Jump all over that. Sometimes you can find someone who wants to trade one for a well built solid 8.8, too.

Mustang5L5 · Aug 5, 2007

I hope it's true. My friend is going to give me the scoop on it at work tomorrow. $600 is too good to pass up if it's true (and complete and working)

85_SS_302_Coupe · Aug 5, 2007

I'd do this swap in a heartbeat, since i'm not as into drag racing as i am cornering and road racing. There's nothing cooler than a car with some camber dialed in on all 4 wheels.

Mustang5L5 · Aug 5, 2007

I'm not a drag racer at heart either. Sure i'd love ot make a pass though and bang out a 12.0, but i'm not modifiying my car to shave every tenth off i can.

I want a nice looking weekend car, with some HP and the ability to stop and turn.

85_SS_302_Coupe · Aug 5, 2007

Mustang5L5 said:
I'm not a drag racer at heart either. Sure i'd love ot make a pass though and bang out a 12.0, but i'm not modifiying my car to shave every tenth off i can.

I want a nice looking weekend car, with some HP and the ability to stop and turn.

Exactly. If i have to sacrifice cornering just so i can run a little faster in the quarter then it's not worth it to me. I figure i don't spend 100% of my driving time at the track...more like less than 2% if that, so why build a car for the quarter mile that only sees it maybe 5 times a year? I do however see lots of turns and do a lot of stop and go on the street so i'm all about building the car to do that. I've always had this goal with my car, it's just cheaper to get into drag racing from the start than it is to make a car handle enough to be competitive on the road course.

Sicarius428 · Aug 6, 2007

I am in the process of collecting all the parts. I picked up an 03/04 irs for 450 without the brakes, brackets and shocks which is still a steal. Cobra calipers and GT calipers are the same thing so my friend gave me his spare set of calipers. I picked up some bilsteins for 65 shipped and the rear brackets for 40 shipped from svtperformance.com. On ebay I picked up some used flexable rear brake hoses for 25 bucks or so. The install seems pretty strait forward but finding some wheels that are more than 8 inches wide with the correct offset is going to be interesting... at least for a reasonable price.
If you have the option jump on the 03/04 rear. The previous years had 3.27 gears and weaker axles. The 03/04 has 31 splines on both sides. 99-2000 had 28 splines and 01-02 had 31 splines on one side and 28 on the other on the halfshaft.
Kevin

Sicarius428 · Aug 6, 2007

Oh yeah, the one thing I am having a problem finding is the driveshaft flange that bolts to the rear pinion flange for the 03/04. I can apparently go the the junk yard and get one off an explorer but havn't had a chance to go poking around in one. Looking for one on the net is pretty difficult.
Kevin

bstrd86 · Aug 6, 2007

The stick axle 8.8 flange interchanges with the IRS one, you could always go that route. I paid $400 for my '03 IRS less brakes, I had some Wilwood calipers laying around so I got creative & machined some brackets for them. Now to figure out an e-brake.

SVT32VDOHC · Aug 7, 2007

It's do-able. Make sure you get everything!! A donor car is always what I prefer, but that is hard to come by for some.

Georgie · Aug 7, 2007

this is the best right up available... http://ff58modswap.bravehost.com/page3.html

this guy is smart! the most overlooked part of this swap is where it bolts threw the trunk..look how he does it..MUCH MORE SECURE.....scrowl down about 3/4 of the page..

Georgie · Aug 7, 2007

jrichker said:
One of the guys here in the 5.0 Forum did it and posted a nice writeup with lots of pictures. It has been within the last six months, so a search my bring up the post.

One link to an outside source http://www.mouthbreather.net/IRSSWAP.HTML

jrichter..he does everything right except for the part where it bolts to threw the trunk pan...

Sicarius428 · Aug 8, 2007

You can also avoid pulling out the gas tank with that method. Possibly a better way than cutting up the whole trunk is to use a hole saw and drill a 1.5 inch hole to place the nuts. It will also be easier to use a body plug to fill it in.
Kevin

Georgie · Aug 8, 2007

yeah but it alot harder to weld that piece cut by the holw saw back..its easier to make a c cuts the fold it up, when ready to weld fold it back down flat and just weld it or use some putty to cover it up so it will be easy in the future in case u need to get in their again..

Sicarius428 · Aug 8, 2007

I was just thinking of some rubber body plugs. Did you use a battle box to brace up the torque box? I am kind of at a crossroads with that right now.
Kevin

bstrd86 · Aug 8, 2007

I used the holesaw method...the trunk mat covers up the holes nicely!

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