79-98 Mustang IRS Swap on Foxbody

[@fishsquishguy1833]

I know some people shit on SN95s but watching this, I can't help thinking what an awesome job Ford did transforming it from the Fox. If you didn't know, you'd never guess they're basically the same car. I remember seeing SN95s when they were new and thinking how cool and retro they looked. Now they're an affordable great little platform for an American build. Really great seeing you guys give them the respect they deserve. Jim

[@philipmacduffie7612]

I'm not arguing that the rear bracket mount won't work this way but it was intended to sit flat on the rail like it does in a 99-04 car. To do this you either need to move the rear quad shock hole in the chassis or modify the irs bracket itself so the rear bracket will sit flat. The fox quad shock holes and the 99-04 holes are not in the same location.

[@mikemarks1834]

I would have definitely grind of that rust on the on the body if I went through the trouble of installing All of that New equipment

[@ShooterMcgavin6]

Harbor freight has a cheap media blaster

[@jamesrobin9961]

Its POR 15….not normal paint and it’s intended use is to use exactly like this…Google it…it’s badass sh*t! And if you’ve ever tried to “get rid if that rust” as you said, it’s an extremely daunting task and even with a rotisserie, it’s nearly impossible and that’s exactly why POR15 is the sh*t!

[@Shadow0fd3ath24]

I NEVER would have guessed it was that easy! I think I'm going to do this instead of a solid 8.8 axle

[@emericask822]

ShadowOfDeath24 just have to drill 4 holes for the vertical bolts in frame rail

[@hector971000]

It’s about to be 4 years and I’ve been waiting on an update

[@emericask822]

Car sold won’t happen

[@hector971000]

@@emericask822 why?

[@STREETFIGHTER50]

Wow u guys make it look so easy! All the other vids i watched required modifying & welding the brackets 😬

[@frankn.weener7907]

hey bud, great video and loved the dope sound track! I already have an irs in my 88 coupe and just finished up RR the irs again to install the Maximum Motorsports super Street/Competition bushing kit and boy that was a pain, I was also making a KZbin video to help others in this build aswell but my phone broke and majority was lost, glad you posted this video there is a nice little community of irs swapped foxes on IG that like helping each other out and that's what lead me here researching for another guy. ANYWAY keep on keeping on.

[@miguel_909]

them brackets make it look so much easier. thanks for the link didnt even know they existed.

[@williamnichols539]

You have the best sound tracks in your videos

[@nickmartin3230]

Made this look super easy! Keep the. Oreos coming guys, would love to see more!!!

[@RippinGearz]

Damn I wish y’all would come back....

[@79chevy901]

I love that look for that notch back.

[@bryanroupe8646]

i had no idea the little 7.5 shock mounts side ways. my buddy actually put quick a few passes on a 600 whp 347 with a 7.5, then went through a few 8.8 then stepped up to a 9

[@MorbidThrasher666]

Future mod on my 96 cobra maybe,saw one for 900 bux the other day on craiglist. Nice work,keep us posted bro.

[@89GTFoxDude]

Damn, that underside could use a good grinding and sandblasting before painting. Or else all that rust will spread like cancer and rot the metal underneath that paint.

[@ProjectDanH]

Nino Luba it's POR15

[@dntlss]

'its POR15" what is? all that rust?

[@donaldk.macbaird4950]

They used Por 15 not paint.It seals and stops the rust.

[@ProjectDanH]

This is great. I gotta do that to my fox.. be careful spraying por15. That stuff can be deadly if inhaled

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

Every Fox platform car should have had a panhard bar from the body to the rear axle. The exception of course the Cobra’s with IRS. The rear of my 79 Indy Pace Car liked to do the jitterbug if it hit a bump while taking a corner.

[@broderickreyes2283]

Looking forward to more fox vids!

[@emericask822]

Broderick Reyes plenty on the way

[@MODIT]

Awesome video, awesome content. Only thing I cringe with is painting over rust even if its pour15 I'd still love to see bare metal first. BTW do you have to do brake lines or can you use existing brake lines from the fox? Also what is needed to use the e-brake?

[@robwright4398]

Love the fox body keep the videos coming

[@tkoresto]

Rob Wright if you guys will watch them we will make the videos

[@erwinkrolop4920]

A few questions... First: Why did you simply angle the rear brackets instead of properly attaching them to the intended surfaces? There is no support from the vertical fasteners. Second: your drivers side tire has the fender lip resting on it, while the passenger side is protruding from the fender and has a sizable gap. I'm guessing this is due to a combination of springs cut asymmetrically and camber adjustment? Third: why did you not remove the bump stops? They look to be severely limiting compression travel.

[@lamarevans66]

man you cats know yalls stuff .i like that irs on the foxbody

[@tkoresto]

Chuck Evans HHC-YG thanks! It's gonna be awesome cruising in this thing

[@jasonturner9424]

nice work lads.

[@SSDillan]

Do you guys know the difference between mustang IRS and thunderbird IRS?

[@Zsumms21]

Dude im just starting an IRS swap in my 01 GT this week, this couldnt have came out on a better day lol

[@tkoresto]

Zack Summa that's awesome! Hope this can help you. Let me know if you have any questions while your swap is going on. Sub so you don't miss anymore vids

[@Zsumms21]

Haha, been subscribed since your 99/01 cobra light video man. If all goes well maybe I'll see you guys floating around MW2k17. Just found out today I can use Maximums control arms with my K member so the $950 front end is setting my IRS swap back a bit

[@tkoresto]

Zack Summa awesome thanks! What K member are you using?

[@Zsumms21]

UPR, I shot you a message on instagram

[@robertbenson7355]

noticed you guys didnt have to cut and move bolt locations or did you just not show that? I thought about doing the swap but always heard lots of fab had to be done, this looks pretty straight forward. Knew about the lines etc.

[@jamesrobin9961]

Interesting….it’s usually being done the opposite…is it gonna be autocrossed?

[@sologarage5799]

Great video....looks like it bolts up to the factory fox body holes going to try this soon got a 99 cobra donor car

[@hoss2200]

I really like this video, I have a 84.5 gt350 and plan on doing the same. thanks for this

[@easycomeeasygo8901]

Nice job👍 however I would never spray por 15 without goggles. That stuff is so lethal. Takes two weeks just to get off your skin, lol.

[@Gregflores95cobra]

Please do a weekly series 👍🏼

[@tkoresto]

will do. already have a few videos. just need to edit

[@alfredodiaz7350]

that's awesome nice simple and straight to the point videos keep up the great work! it's making me want to mod my autocross 4 eye even more lol

[@euniscahill9910]

digging the hip hop instrumentals, good job fellas

[@mikehartwick8499]

Great video. I will be doing this swap in the spring, and have a quick question for you. What upgrades to the brak system did you do now that you have rear discs? 93 Cobra master cylinder, brake booster, and proportioning valve? Thanks!

[@tkoresto]

im running a Manual brake set up with my own lines and proportioning valve.

[@mikehartwick8499]

Thank for the response!

[@SeethingPhrog]

Skip the first 12 minutes, which are all about disassembly, wiping off and painting the underside. What is that about?

[@emericask822]

Webster McClellan just showing the entire process

[@302hobronco]

Would a IRS out a thunderbird work just as easy??

good question!!

[@rickh.5206]

This car looks exactly like a notch that was for sale on Craig's List in Monroe Washington a few weeks ago. IRS, dash, Kentucky plates, etc. Is this the car? Did tko sell the car?

[@tkoresto]

Rick H. No sir! It's still in the shop! I bought mine 3 years ago in Louisville.

[@rickh.5206]

Crazy. The notch for sale in Monroe WA had the same dash installed (same color as well), the same body color, an IRS had been installed and it had Kentucky plates. What are the chances of that? Small world. I have been looking for a notch to track. If it already had an IRS that would be grand. I have a 1995 SVT Cobra with an IRS. It has all the Kenny Brown add-on stuff including the tubular A arms, Koni 3012 shocks, etc. I went with the urethane bushings vs the Delrin. It is a great package. I want to slip this IRS into a notch, and put a less costly IRS in the Cobra for the street. That is the plan anyway. Just FYI, the ad I saw said it was real clean, a Cali car (holy grail/unicorn) even. The one in your video had that mid western "rash" under it and was obviously not a Cali car. In the ad here they were clear they did not have to sell and indicated the car was posted to test the market. Of note, the ad was removed in short order. Guessing it sold fast. Good luck on your car. The IRS makes these cars great. Like your page.

[@TurboTurdBurglar]

How come when I watch other videos on the irs swap and people have to drill and weld stuff to make this work? I have a 94 and would really like to do this I can’t stand the sra I want a smoother ride. The way you did it made it look simple

[@dntlss]

Is not that simple , these guys have a lift which makes a WORLD of difference and a few other goodies,Ive done a couple of these,they are nice once your done but its a LOT of work.

[@m12968]

Its actually not that difficult. But on any swap, welding is required. Its the nature of the beast. I do have to agree....its a shitload of work, but it is a huge difference once your done

[@blindabinda1234]

@@m12968 no. . There actually isn't any welding required on this swap.

[@m12968]

@@blindabinda1234 you really should weld gussets to prevent the unibody subframe from getting crushed when you tighten the bolts in the truck

[@gixafied03]

irs looks awesome on foxes. I wish I would have done that swap on my svo. specially since I had a 99 cobra also. weekly series would be awesome. still waiting to see how the cobra bumper turns out.

[@tkoresto]

it will be a while before the bumper gets finished. waiting on some other front end stuff first! but there will be more vids of the fox still!

[@gixafied03]

tko resto awesome. can't wait to see how it turns out.

[@ckygogo]

Where did you get those brackets to mount the irs to the foxbody? You didn't have to drill & weld a mount?

[@donaldk.macbaird4950]

Thank you for doing this Vid,I have a 84 5.0 5 speed Fastback that I would love to do this to.

[@diegogamboa8466]

Donald K. MacBaird what rear ends do these have. I bought one and it doesn’t have the stamped Id

[@josephfigueroa3527]

This looks easier than swapping a regular 8.8 diff.

[@baldurivar]

That’s because they didn’t fasten the bracket correctly, they didn’t show the bracket modifications for the rear side bolt and didn’t even put in the other two lower bolts which also needs modifications to the frame rails.

[@TheChaseKilla]

thinking about doing this to my coyote swapped notch. only worry is wheel and tire size. what offset wheel and tire size did you use?

[@marlenmartinez7447]

I want to put the irs in my 95 Mustang, what parts do i need to make fit?!

[@emericask822]

IRS, IRS brackets. exhaust, springs, shocks brakes etc.

[@bulfragg]

Great video, but please tell me you guys went back and added the two vertical bolts in the bottom of the top bracket through the frame rail!!!#!##

[@tkoresto]

bulfragg it was re pulled and rebuilt as well. Added diff brace and top brackets

[@bulfragg]

Any new videos of the build?

[@gixafied03]

tko resto is there a follow up video (part 2) of finishing the install?

[@emericask822]

customer projects have got in the way of shop cars. but videos will be otw shortly.

[@34donta]

nice bro.....so no extra parts irs bolts right in

[@4eyesover2]

Tko resto, what brackets are you using that you didn’t have to move the bolt location? I’ve watched a lot of videos with one lining up but not both and fab work needing to be done

[@rubberguy1982]

Subscribed , loving the notch project keep them coming keeps me motivated on mine having a lift is so nice! I do have a question I have seen on other videos of cutting and welding on the rear to install the irs by watching yours it looks almost as if it falls right into place is there a kit or something ?

[@tkoresto]

some places sell an extra brace to add on. steeds makes one. only need to add if you have some serious power IMO. friends and I have rode for years with no issues with out them .

[@ljshoreslokal]

Technically the IRS bolts right in, however, that would not make your car road worthy. The Mustang forums with build threads would have the right info you're looking for. I think suggesting that "2 bolts are ok" is half ass and lazy. I cut holes in my trunk hatch floor over each subframe, welded bolts to a 3/16" flat bar and inserted them into the frame, bolts fit through holes I drilled that line up with the factory holes in the IRS subframe bracket and it bolts right in. I have 4 bolts on each side which is the way FORD engineers designed it so they must be smarter than me and you, right? I have a very well documented build thread on this install on Stangnet. Go there and search and you'll see 3 recent build threads that document this process with all part numbers and details you'll need and all the builds are finished and on the road with lots of miles to prove they work.

[@LeachimSagrav333]

This was two years ago. Is the car done?

[@ggallen3156]

Please tell me that wasn't the fuel filter right next to the tank

[@Arthurtv807]

Wait don’t the IRS brackets need to be welded in?

[@SZURENS]

i need the old version typ of course.

[@tyrellhamilton9399]

I thought you could just add a T fitting instead of the brake line swap?

[@tkoresto]

not that easy. you could do multiple things. just easy to bolt on a pre bent line and be done

[@AndrewBurtonS-group]

great now I want to do that to my 89 lol

[@speeder36]

Interesting music choice!!

[@emericask822]

TIM O thanks

[@emericask822]

tri-u watersports nah

[@allyblack290]

Good job

[@allyblack290]

Yow u guys have the best video Music

[@nicholaslentini7425]

very cool man! keep them ah coming

[@ezebattle]

Can you run a wider rim and tire combo on the back like a17x10"

[@TheGammerguy]

great video guys was really insightful! does this irs literally just bolt up with the existing rear mounting hols and the irs bracket you installed? i was surprised everything lined up that easily??

[@tomasgonzalez1847]

Todo

[@dannygarcia9333]

All you did was add that bracket? And the irs bolts in??

[@juantrejo7084]

What's the benefit of having an IRS suspension?

[@tkoresto]

Juan Trejo better handling on corners. Looks and ride quality

[@unclejacksyoutube6496]

Where do you get irs now days. I’ve searched far and wide in junkyards but can’t find a cobra anywhere. I heard forums and stuff but there has to be simpler way

[@emericask822]

contact blu motorsports on facebook or their website. Forums are slowly dying. ebay occasionally has some but they're about 1500-2000. facebook is your best bet sometimes craigslist.

[@bassosgarage3900]

i love this, car looks rough but gunna be bitchin. love the music too.

[@joeseptien2182]

Will a foxbody driveshaft work on the irs? It’s funny I saw this when it came out.. now I’m watching it again cause I have an irs for my 79! :D

[@emericask822]

Joe Septien “You can pull the stock flange from your current 8.8 and slap it on the cobra pumpkin. Several people have done that just to save cost and time instead of looking endlessly for the correct flange to turn up. From 99-01 IRS, the stock driveshaft will just bolt up but 03/04 the flange is much larger is the only reason. My IRS came with the cobra flange still on the pumpkin so decided to to get the flange off a cobra driveshaft and use a precision 448( i believe) adapter flange. It adapts a 1330 stock fox driveshaft to a 1350 cobra drive shaft flange. I needed a new ujoint anyways so two birds with one stone.” Found this on a forum not sure if it helps

[@cristian6766]

I can understand POR but i cannot understand PO dirt. Have they painted over dirt? Is it ok to do so? All the best.

[@emericask822]

looks like they wiped down most of the dirt/grime.

[@tyrellhamilton9399]

Did you add material to the bracket to be a bolt on or relocate the bolt holes?

[@SZURENS]

hello. what is the type of this differential because I want to buy one so my Mustang 79. Is it 8? "To which year he was produced this differential. sorry for my English. what type is plug and play to my fox.

[@Gabrieltr7]

excellent video, i can use the ISR of thunderbird in my sn95 mod 1994?

[@tkoresto]

Gabrieltr7 no. No parts are interchangeable from the T bird.

[@Gabrieltr7]

So, do I need to use a 03-04 Cobra?

[@emericask822]

Gabrieltr or a 99-01 IRS

[@MrKngdali]

Yesss weekly

[@joeludlow9764]

No paint gear, I bet you had POR15 freckles for a month. Shits a nightmare but does the job great.

[@SlayGurl23]

What year mustang did you use for IRS swap ?? I hav an 89 mustang and I’m looking to see what year would fit..

[@rfreemanmodeling]

*Awesome video! Just subscribed also! I'm not too far from your location. Would there be anything different to do when installing this on a convertible fox body?* please do a build on this vehicle!

[@squirrelynations3832]

That was awesome but to do all that work and not put a good hurt on that rust kind of sucks.

[@tyrellhamilton9399]

I’ve heard you had to relocate the second bolt hole or weld it true or false?

[@carloszamora1128]

well that was a straight forward swap. 99-04 cannot be used for the brake lines and parking cable?

[@tkoresto]

you can use your stock GT/v6 parking cables

[@carloszamora1128]

oh allright but so only the brake line that need be custom for 99-04

[@tkoresto]

Boss 302 no. Any stock 96-04 mustang needs no modification of brake lines. Only 95 and older require brake line work.

[@carloszamora1128]

bruh 🤔 01 bullitt with irs 😍

[@turboman351w3]

so i can put this in my 1991 fox body, I see only two brackets and it bolts in

[@blindabinda1234]

Yup. And you can even ditch the coil spring and get a coil overs that bolts right where the factory shocks do. Matt farrah did it on his notch back. It's actually on auction right now and the bid is at 65000. Craziness

[@andrewgarcia7215]

looks bad ass

[@tkoresto]

thanks!

[@lokisgodhi]

Interesting. Would this IRS swap work for the 9th generation (83-88) Fox Thunderbird?

[@tkoresto]

no

[@hector971000]

This install looked straight forward

[@tkoresto]

it really is. not hard like everyone thinks

[@1slo_cobra505]

tko resto how much would it cost to install this into a notchback? looks easy but got no space to do it

[@tkoresto]

id do it for $300

[@1slo_cobra505]

Wow. I got quoted 1000+ the irs so about 1900 too bad ur not closer to california

[@tkoresto]

AnthonyandMaria ROCHA yea that's just labor. You'd need a brake line and a few smalls. But you could ship it for $500 and still save big. Haha

[@ess2586]

Subscribed!

[@tkoresto]

ess2586 thank you! welcome to the channel! #teamtko

[@egibson2266]

Dudes, sick video and music! just subscribed for more fox love. I have an 04 IRS I will be putting in my 90 LX. Did you sleeve the "frame" where you drilled the new holes? (didn't show in vid).

[@tkoresto]

i did not. this was still just a mock up for me.

[@egibson2266]

tko resto nice, well please continue posting vids as you move forward with the IRS install, I'm takin notes.

[@jpayan1694]

Did you have to do any modifications to the fox to make it fit?

[@tkoresto]

jpayan1694 not to make it fit. You just have to change the brake line. Then notch out a spot on the IRS bracket

[@rustykrys888]

I need a parts list for this please!!!!

[@herculesrockefeller1683]

The IRS should be a full setup coming from a donor car. It is literally a plug and play setup.

[@m12968]

Does the 89 and up Thunderbird irs bolt up in the same locations?

[@tkoresto]

Mark A not at all. Nothing about that it’s is the same as a mustang one

[@222built5]

Hey love the video gave me an idea of what's to come on my drift fox I'm going to build. I'm pretty sure sn95 are 1.5" wider than foxes. Are you going to get custom backspaces wheels or with the tires fitbin the wheel wells

[@emericask822]

i believe sn95 SRA is narrower than the 99-04 SRA or IRS. some 03-04 cobra run a 8.8 out of a 94-98 so they can run wider 11=12" rear wheels. i found this out from steve @ true forged wheels

[@tflkwiz594]

What happened to this project?

[@emericask822]

Francisco Fernandes still in the works just a lot of customer projects

[@abelpino5360]

mikeee____ can you tell me where i can find the 79-89 bushings for the irs im doing that to my 92 coupe thanks

[@ess2586]

Looks great ! How many shop hours for this?

[@tkoresto]

well we took the gas tank out and stuff to paint the underneath. if you were just doing swap with a buddy and a lift. i would say 4 hours. thats including installing the new bushings which are a pain to get the old ones out.

[@6bt_str86]

Too late for por15....is that a Mich car??? Wow. I thought my "roller" was bad. Serious Structural issues where all your rigidity depends like frame@ suspension ties etc..

[@DCreatorsCreations]

BRING THE NOTCH BACK 😂😂😂

[@hector971000]

So who is mike

[@tkoresto]

haha Mikeee is a Maryland Male that will be in a video mid December when he arrives with his Saleen for some Work. lots of videos being planned on his car

[@NEWORLEANSYAT]

tko resto hey guys. I need a few parts. Who do I contact?

[@emericask822]

Eric Guess what do you need?

[@k129h8]

hey guys, possible to fit an irs exhaust on an sra fox?

[@svtjosh10th6]

you have a link to those steeda brackets I'm doing a full terminator swap into a 92 notch

[@tkoresto]

link is in description now!!!!

[@nikkodnp]

how about the two bolt holes that go under the bracket?

[@tkoresto]

if you want to cut and weld nuts you can. Steeda makes a support bracket linked in the description. i have never ran the bottom bolts in any of my installs or on my friends cars. we never had a problem at all. if you were drag racing or have 600hp i would recommend the bottom bolts.

[@fordsrule390]

Hey what size tires are those on the rear? I'm getting ready to put an IRS in my coupe this coming weekend. I have the same rims so i'm hoping to squeeze a 245 under there.

[@manuelacuna6969]

fordsrule390 hey curious did you ever get those wheels to fit comfortably in your fox?

[@emilliovelasquez]

are you guys leaving the brackets in with the 2 bolts only?

[@tkoresto]

Perspective Reality no. Going to order the Steeda brace for it as well. But I ran my IRS set up on my sn95 for 4 years with only two bolts. It's fine. Two of my friends still run two bolts as well and daily their cars. I would only worry about it if you were 400 wheel or auto crossing your car.

[@Thegger88]

Name of these songs ?

[@shb3395]

I feel a little weird watching this video if it's really just for mikee's eyes....

[@emericask822]

its all good, i can share.

[@iraqirestoration2991]

I would ask you guys if that possible in a 65’ mustang with the irs from the 15 mustang on it ? What do you guys think ? Help

[@stang9076]

Nice