Triumphrat

06-15-2005

So does anyone know if it is possible to swap the tank, side panels and fenders from a 98 tbird to an 92 tbird? If not, which years are compatible with the 98?

Thanks!

Slinky · 06-16-2005

All the Thunderbird panels are interchangeable. The only minor problem will be the left side panel.

On the 98 it will have a hole for the seat lock which you do not have on the 02.

If you look at the 02 panel you will see a flat where the hole used to be.

MickMaguire · 06-16-2005

Actually that's not quite correct.

the tank is a direct swap, as would the front fender be. the side covers will not fit without modification and then will not fit as well as the 02 ones, the shape of the 02's are different (flatter) , there is no key lock and the mounting tab on the right rear is in a different place. This can be overcome by swapping to the 98 rear subframe and seat. The rear fender will likely fit but only if you swap to the 98 rear indicator mounting brackets. However that last bit I have not personally tried so there may be other differences to contend with (there was a part number change point between the two).

Fully compatible years would be 96-98. Between 1995 and 1996 there was major rework and plenty of change points so your milage may vary if you tried to go back to that year. 1999 and on was essentially the same as '02.

HTH

[ This message was edited by: MickMaguire on 2005-06-16 05:40 ]

Jodel · 06-16-2005

To add to what Mike has said - I swapped the rear subframe on my '04 TBird for an earlier '95 sub-frame because I wanted the locking seat and I already had all the bits lying around.

The side panels are definitely different. The rear fender is the same other than the mounting (captive) nuts on the early bikes were on the sub-frame, the captive nuts on later bikes were on the fender itself. If you changed over the sub-frame, Mike is correct in that you'd need to change the indicator brackets for the early type too, as the earlier sub-frame positions the rear fender slightly further forwards. The plastic 'splashguard' at the front of the fender which attaches to the swingarm is also different, but this is easy to remove and replace with the early type.