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9/26/2013 11:11 AM  #1


1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible pro`s and con`s and questions

Hello hello
My big brother and me have just bought a 1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible.
We would very much like to know about the pro`s and con`s of this model.
It needs a lot of help and TLC but we also got it at a low cost.

The top will not open properly you can hear the engine running but no movement on the top it self?.

The window in the driverside can`t roll up or down but also here you can hear that the engine is running but again no movement?.

Is it possible to put on GT front and rear bumpers and skirts on a LX without any issues?.

Where do you buy your parts for this model Summit,NPD or ?.

So any info regarding this model would be very helpful and much appreciated.

Thanks and best regards Olling

 

9/26/2013 11:26 AM  #2


Re: 1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible pro`s and con`s and questions

Unless it's a California built '88, the ECM/ injection system will be based on Speed Density and not Mass Air. This means the processor will not work well if you try to change up the induction, heads, cam or exhaust.

...it is possible to convert a Speed Density system to Mass Air but it would require changing to a Mass Air ECM, the addition of a mass air meter and associated air duct tubes and the wiring harness to connect the mass air meter to the processor.

Speed Density was used on the 5.0L Mustangs from 1986-1988, except for 1988 California built 5.0L Mustangs. They were the first to get Mass Air. Beginning in 1989, all 5.0L Mustangs had Mass Air.

Last edited by ultrastang (9/26/2013 11:28 AM)

 

9/26/2013 12:52 PM  #3


Re: 1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible pro`s and con`s and questions

This is a very good car to get you going in the mustang hobby! The parts for the issues you have listed are readily available either at your local parts store or online.  The 5.0 is a very dependable, quick little car and the aftermarket is awash in speed and restoration parts for them. If I were you the first thing I would buy is a chilton's manual - it breaks down all the parts of the car and shows you step by step how to repair them.  Good luck and post pictures!


65 mustang coupe, 351W, C6-  2800 stall, B&M blower, 9inch- trac-loc 3.70 gears
 

9/26/2013 12:55 PM  #4


Re: 1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible pro`s and con`s and questions

Hahahah- silly me, I just looked closer at your picture and realized your overseas! Well I'm guessing your local parts store will not have many parts for the 5.0.  Try rockauto.com.  They are very reasonable.


65 mustang coupe, 351W, C6-  2800 stall, B&M blower, 9inch- trac-loc 3.70 gears
 

9/26/2013 2:56 PM  #5


Re: 1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible pro`s and con`s and questions

Olling wrote:

The top will not open properly you can hear the engine running but no movement on the top it self?.

Hard to say, but if it's anything like the early Mustangs or like my own '94 convertible it's a very simple system with a motor and pump assembly distributing hydrualic fluid to two cylinders. If the motor is running it might just be as simple as the system is out of fluid which is a very easy fix. Just locate the motor and pump assembly behind the backseat and fill the reservoir with some ATF. If the cylinders are leaking, just replace them as they are quite cheap anyway. See my answer below regarding where to get parts.

Olling wrote:

The window in the driverside can`t roll up or down but also here you can hear that the engine is running but again no movement?.

Sounds like there's a mechanical issue. I would pull the doorpanel and just check inside what's going on.

 

Olling wrote:

Is it possible to put on GT front and rear bumpers and skirts on a LX without any issues?.

Don't know, but would surprise me if not possible.

 

Olling wrote:

 Where do you buy your parts for this model Summit,NPD or ?.

Depends on what parts you're looking for... both Norrlands Custom and Hansen Racing here in Sweden have quite a lot of spare parts. Depending on where in Sweden you live you'll probably have a local dealer for at least Hansen Racing somewhere close. If you want to save and import yourself there's almost too many sources available online to buy from, just pick the one with the best prices on shipping and don't forget to check Ebay also.

Feel free to PM or email (hakanostlund@gmail.com) me in Swedish!

 

9/26/2013 4:22 PM  #6


Re: 1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible pro`s and con`s and questions

I have the same model except 93.  

veryuseful.com  has some great info for you.

latemodelrestoration.com has a good bit of fox body parts. beside ebay, and the normal places like cjponyparts and mustangsunlimited. I do believe there is a vendor on here called Steves mustang parts as well.

do you just want gt front and rear bumpers? or the whole body kit? that has all the skirts for the fenders and quarter panels?  and the trim moldings are a different size in the middle than the lx. and not sure about the exhaust needing to be moved on your lx. 

convertible top-  may need to bleed the lines at the cylinders.  make sure it has fluid in the pump, and its the right type of fluid.  There are two relays, one for going up and one for goingdown, both are located in the trunk.  cylinders may not be connected to the linkage for the top.   some people take them off whenthe pump fails, so that they can raise and lower the top manually.  common issues with the top include the latches not working, or the pins rotating and not going straight into the alignment hole, and the plastic peices where the hook of the latch catches onto the frame usually are broken or cracked.

Windows- sounds like the linkage came off somewhere,  very common for those motors to go bad, as well as very common for the door lock actuator motors to go bad preventing the lock from going up and down on the door. 

Electrical diagrams are year specific.  color codes are different year to year on the foxes.  Must get the one specific for your year.  

There are many articles on converting to mass air, please research it on google.

There's a lot of things that can go bad on a 20+ year old car. Take each issue one at a time, Bring up each issue one at a time and you'll get it resolved.

Stock brakes on the car aren't the best.  There are many different upgrade paths out there to upgrade the brakes. 

I would always do the body first since to me that costs the most and can be a deal breaker as to whether you want to spend any other money on car fixing anything else.

I just drove my convertible to the BASH party today, 10 hour ride, and its fun.  Meeting a bunch of folks for the very first time in person that I have been socializing with on the forum for years. Convertible is fun on the long trip too. So yes I think the car is a PRO.

Get the car safe first if you are gong to drive it.  Take an inventory of whats working and not working.  Inspect the body thoroughly. You can easily buy parts to fix engine, etc. but not too easy to fix rotten shock towers, floor pans, etc. 
 

Last edited by MarkinSC (9/26/2013 9:23 PM)


GET HER DONE BULLETBOB!!! ..
 

9/26/2013 7:02 PM  #7


Re: 1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible pro`s and con`s and questions

Congratulations,5.0 Fox Body mustangs are great cars.

Your in Europe where are you? I have  a friend just outside Glasgow Scotland, and comes on this forum from time to time look for his Handle GT350,He has a Full Restoration,repair,Parts shop,and I'm sure he can help you
Or Give you some good advise re parts etc,

Jimmy O

Last edited by Fastbackbhoy (9/26/2013 7:44 PM)

 

9/27/2013 8:52 AM  #8


Re: 1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible pro`s and con`s and questions

The GT trim can be added, but get urethane bumpers. the fiberglass pieces break too easily. As mentioned earlier you will also need side trim as it is different, but the trunk, hood and lights are the same.

The speed density system will be fine, but if you do modify it significantly you will need a chip burned for the computer. Mass air will adapt even to extreme modifications without a chip (in most cases) and that is why people here are suggesting that you would need to move over to that system.

I had a 93 convertable and I would say that if you are going to get it up over 120 MPH you need to put the top down first. The latches do not hold very well at high speeds. and being able to see daylight above the windsheild always made me think I was going to loose the top.

Good choice for a mustang. virtually anything you want to do to that car, there is a part made for it already.

BobN

 

9/27/2013 12:41 PM  #9


Re: 1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible pro`s and con`s and questions

Olling, Congrats on your find. Looks like a Great project! I'm thinking the GT stuff just bolts on. You may have to add a few holes, but the front and rear bumper covers should be straight forward. The side aero stuff and rear spoiler are add on too. I would keep the speed density stuff till you get the outside and interior like you want it. Those cars ran real nice for a cruising convertable. When you decide you need more power, there are a lot of ways to go.

 

10/02/2013 10:30 AM  #10


Re: 1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible pro`s and con`s and questions

Hey 
I want to thank for all great feedback i have received from you. I am looking forward to getting started on the car , there is many things that need to done. But as one mentioned just take one issue at the time and get i done. I hope to find all off the outside trim from a GT model and have it put on our car.The car was sold as new in America and was exported to Sweden in 1990 and in 2013 it went a bit further and came to Denmark.
Best regards Olling
 

     Thread Starter
 

10/02/2013 10:55 AM  #11


Re: 1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible pro`s and con`s and questions

These guys will have all the parts for your car.  http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/

As for the windows not going up, they are bad about the three plastic drive pieces in the motor's gearbox disintegrating.  You can simply pull the motor and open up the gearbox, then remove all the busted up little pieces of plastic, then replace with a rebuild kit.  I made some out of steel instead for a no-cost rebuild.

Your top sounds like the hydraulics are dry or lost fluid somehow.

Be very careful if opening/closing the top manually.  The frame is fragile thin aluminum and will crack, and then you are really screwed.

GT body parts in decent shape are probably going to be hard to find, but I bet that link above has new stuff.  Even the guys with GT's take the funky fake-louvered taillights off and put LX lights like yours on their cars.  I always liked the LX best.  If you put some nice wheels and tires on it, they look clean and mean.  And make great drivers.  I used to have a 90 5.0 convertible.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

10/02/2013 1:55 PM  #12


Re: 1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible pro`s and con`s and questions

It is possible to do the GT conversion, you would need new front and rear bumpers and the side peices however i would not recommend it. I think the LX looks the best, but if you really wanted GT esque I would go with a saleen style kit that cervinis makes.

After owning 2 LX's and an SVO I now own a '90 GT and want to convert it to a saleen, ive always loved the look. A bit more body cladding than an LX but not as overboard as the GT

 

10/02/2013 5:04 PM  #13


Re: 1988 ford mustang lx 5.0 convertible pro`s and con`s and questions

In addtion to the aforementioned vendors, you can also try www.foxrestro.com
They are located in North Carolina and offer decent prices along with a decent selection.



 

 

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