My 1987 Two Door Crown Victoria AKA THE BROWN BLOB

[87gtVIC]

Set out this morning to install the stifflers driveshaft safety loop....but was met with disappointment. Due to the design of the panther transmission cross-member I cannot use the stifflers piece as it does not sit flush but is obstructed by the thick tubing of the cross-member.

Piece in question that does not fit:

https://lmr.com/item/STF-DSLM02/1979-98-Mustang-Drive-Shaft-Safety-Loop

The hoop that surrounds the driveshaft and acts as the safety just does not fit either due to piece not sitting flush against the tranny tailhousing mount. No biggie.....


I then went and installed my Bilstein #24-014953 Front Shocks and Bilstein #24-014960 Rear Shocks...B6 monotubes.



Out with the old gas-a-just shocks.... Front ( KG5458) Rear (KG5521)...They are still in fine shape...stored away for future builds.

[Brown_Muscle]

Bummer about the safety loops not fitting, are there any others you're considering?

I think you'll like the bilsteins, Mine are great, you really notice an improvement going around bumpy corners at speed. They have great recovery and makes it feel stable where the KYB's (and other shocks) seem to make the car feel unplanted.

[87gtVIC]

Bummer about the safety loops not fitting, are there any others you're considering?

I think you'll like the bilsteins, Mine are great, you really notice an improvement going around bumpy corners at speed. They have great recovery and makes it feel stable where the KYB's (and other shocks) seem to make the car feel unplanted.

Not considering any others. I happened to spot this one that uses the transmission mount location to hold the bracket for the hoop and that is what caught my eye. Others I have viewed use the seat mount bolts or something like that which would be very specific to the fox body chassis. I could fabricate a mount from scratch if I really wanted it, or modify the existing cross member to more freely accept this style and then make up a hoop that hugs the drive shaft more and gives some clearance in the tunnel.

Good to hear. I am also curious if it will reduce/diminish my wheel hop issues when breaking loose from stops/rolling.

[packman]

How do those Bilsteins feel? They firmed up the ride in my CV when I installed them.

[massacre]

Bummer about the stifflers driveshaft loop. I have one in my fox, but i am also using the stifflers x member.
I'm sure you can probably make it work.

[DerekTheGreat]

Maybe Stifler's mom would help out with an exchange or return?

[massacre]

Here is the stifflers x member for fox body



You can see how it attaches

And driveshaft loop mocked up

[87gtVIC]

And here is the stock 87 tranny cross member....she is thick. I believe 88 and up have thinner ones and the piece may clear but you can see my issue. I have a spare 87 cross member so maybe I will notch that one once?...maybe.

[massacre]

Yeah wow. Maybe an additional bracket that mounts above the trans mount bolts to tie in the loop?
I have a new 93 trans x member here, but it looks just like the one in your pic.

[GM_Guy]

planning on fixing pinion angle? I'd look at welding a couple tabs to the stock crossmember and modify the loop (make something from scratch probably just as quick) to bolt to those tabs.

[87gtVIC]

Yeah wow. Maybe an additional bracket that mounts above the trans mount bolts to tie in the loop?
I have a new 93 trans x member here, but it looks just like the one in your pic.

Possibly.

planning on fixing pinion angle? I'd look at welding a couple tabs to the stock crossmember and modify the loop (make something from scratch probably just as quick) to bolt to those tabs.

Yes. Since I have the adjustable rear upper arms I do plan to measure and make right the pinion angle. This too will certainly help hush any wheel hop I may have left after the new rear bilsteins....I have not driven the car since the new rear shocks are in. Car tucked away in backyard for winter.

[sly]

Create an intermediate bracket that arches over the crossmember?

[gadget73]

what attaches to those two holes in the tailshaft of the trans? If nothing, honestly I'd be way more inclined to make a loop mount to that vs cutting the crossmember.

[massacre]

I went with that brand x member and driveshaft loop because it is NHRA legal when they are used together.
If you're not going to race it, i'm sure you could modify it with no issues.
If you drilled holes through the Panther x member and welded in some tubes (to keep strength) you could probably bolt the loop to the x member itself. When the loop arrived, i was suspicious since it only mounted with 2 bolts. But it is a sturdy piece.

I have adjustable control arms as well, had to reset the pinion angle after installing the loop. Not by much tho

[Toploader]

Dave!!!!!! Jeeze the chassis and trans look clean enough to eat off of!!............Amazing!