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low mile,all original 7up, should I upgrade it or not?

  • Thread starter Thread starter photomatt
  • Start date Start date Feb 20, 2019
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photomatt

5 Year Member
Apr 8, 2018
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10
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Door County Wisconsin
Feb 20, 2019
#1
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • #1
I have a 1990 7up mustang, 20,500 original miles, almost perfect shape, never even seen rain let alone snow. I'd like to change the rear gears to make it more fun to drive (it is an automatic) but am afraid of ruining any value it has. Thoughts?
 

Rdub6

So while I wait to figure out my rear end issues
5 Year Member
Dec 29, 2017
3,956
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Long Island, NY
Feb 20, 2019
#2
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • #2
Let’s see some pics! That sounds nice!
 
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photomatt

5 Year Member
Apr 8, 2018
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10
13
Door County Wisconsin
Feb 20, 2019
#3
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • #3


This was from last spring... I have it in storage as of now until, oh I don't know, maybe July!! It just won't stop smowing! ha ha ha I'm dreaming about nicer days, trust me.
 
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photomatt

5 Year Member
Apr 8, 2018
13
10
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Door County Wisconsin
Feb 20, 2019
#4
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • #4
This is when I took my Father in Law for a ride... he is suffering from Alzheimers... It has been a struggle...
 
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photomatt

5 Year Member
Apr 8, 2018
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Door County Wisconsin
Feb 20, 2019
#5
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • #5

Last one I promise! Sure can't wait until summer!
 
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BlakeusMaximus

Still got to try a little lube on my speedo head
5 Year Member
Jul 12, 2017
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Feb 20, 2019
#6
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • #6
I don’t think upgrading the rear gears will hurt its value. Everyone says 3.73’s work with autos well. Just keep your stock gears just in case you need or want to swap them back in. I say swap em to something a little more fun.
 
Last edited: Feb 20, 2019
Reactions: 7upstang91 and Rdub6

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
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polk county florida
Feb 20, 2019
#7
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • #7
I agree with the gear swap, verts are a little heavy and with the auto trans it will really wake it up!
 

Dan02gt

mazing how much gas smell came from that tiny hole
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
909
415
113
Greenville, NC
Feb 20, 2019
#8
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • #8
Swapping the gears will make a big difference and shouldn't hurt the value. As mentioned it's really easy to swap them back if you go to sell it.
 

Wayne Waldrep

Before I post a pic, do you have one of yours?
20+ Year Stangneter
Apr 14, 2003
1,338
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Cuba, AL
Feb 20, 2019
#9
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • #9
Sorry to hear about your father in law's struggles. You have a beautiful car, sir. I agree with everyone's thoughts on the gears.
 

Rdub6

So while I wait to figure out my rear end issues
5 Year Member
Dec 29, 2017
3,956
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Long Island, NY
Feb 20, 2019
#10
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • #10
That’s a beautiful car! We all love pics, so keep em coming.
I lost my dad,and father in law within 18 months of each other. Had a great relationship with both, and that post hit me hard! Enjoy your time, and I wish you the best!
 

BlakeusMaximus

Still got to try a little lube on my speedo head
5 Year Member
Jul 12, 2017
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#11
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • #11
I love the BFG’s with the turbines.
 
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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,260
17,945
224
Massachusetts
Feb 20, 2019
#12
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • #12
Rear gears can always be swapped back. Just keep them and if you sell the car put them in the trunk.

AODs really need the shorter gearing, so it shouldn't hurt value regardless.
 

billison

I like tinted tail
15 Year Member
Feb 27, 2006
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stl
Feb 20, 2019
#13
  • Feb 20, 2019
  • #13
Nice car. Upgrade away. If you are driving it, the value don’t matter
 
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photomatt

5 Year Member
Apr 8, 2018
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10
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Door County Wisconsin
Feb 21, 2019
#14
  • Feb 21, 2019
  • #14
Thank you all for the reply's and wonderful thoughts about my Dad... I talked to a local "mustang guy" and asked about changing the gears. He said that if it was him, he would just replace the whole axle that has the gears I want. Then if I sell it, I can put the original back in. Is it that hard to replace the gears? I've been reading up on that and it seems like they are kind of fussy to do. I'm a pretty fair mechanic but really, only fair.
 

billison

I like tinted tail
15 Year Member
Feb 27, 2006
2,607
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stl
Feb 21, 2019
#15
  • Feb 21, 2019
  • #15
Changing a whole rear can be done in a couple hours with minimal tools and skills..

The rears need special tools and skills ...
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,260
17,945
224
Massachusetts
Feb 21, 2019
#16
  • Feb 21, 2019
  • #16
Axle swapping it pretty each with a jack or two and some jackstands. A good set of tools, and an impact preferably and you can swap it out in a couple hours. Just need some new crush washers for the center brake line.

Hardest part will be finding a nicely set up rear end with 3.73's and a freshly rebuilt limited diff.

Changing rear end gears requires some special tools and some more advanced skills.
 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
SN Certified Technician
Mar 2, 2015
6,945
5,816
213
Feb 21, 2019
#17
  • Feb 21, 2019
  • #17
Your body has a good idea. You could buy a stock rear used and have it cleaned up and painted...with new 373 gears and a purdy differential cover. Keep the original drum to drum and have fun. You'd save some money taking the whole rear to a shop for rebuild instead of taking the whole car
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,260
17,945
224
Massachusetts
Feb 21, 2019
#18
  • Feb 21, 2019
  • #18
Of course, there's always the 5-lug swap with an SN95 rear.......




 

Wayne Waldrep

Before I post a pic, do you have one of yours?
20+ Year Stangneter
Apr 14, 2003
1,338
659
143
Cuba, AL
Feb 21, 2019
#19
  • Feb 21, 2019
  • #19
Mustang5L5 said:
Of course, there's always the 5-lug swap with an SN95 rear.......




Click to expand...
Now let's not start that ball rolling. Must keep stock wheels on this car.
 
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Rdub6

So while I wait to figure out my rear end issues
5 Year Member
Dec 29, 2017
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Long Island, NY
Feb 21, 2019
#20
  • Feb 21, 2019
  • #20
Once the gears, or whole rear end is done, the mods have started! And we all know what that addiction is like....... so that will only be the beginning! Lol
 
Reactions: Jersey Joe
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