80 Mirada,

[80mirada]

Every 518/500 swap turns out different. Most use either a Ford or GM trans mount. Using a stock floor shifter is out for most people, but Hot Rod made it work in a roadrunner, and I have seen shifters converted to cables. Relays for each solenoid will make them, and your wiring, last longer. There have been number of ways to control the overdrive and/or lock-up. Time delay relays can be uses to get rid of gear pecking if using pressure sensors to control it automatically.

 

[metallicaman0258]

Every 518/500 swap turns out different. Most use either a Ford or GM trans mount. Using a stock floor shifter is out for most people, but Hot Rod made it work in a roadrunner, and I have seen shifters converted to cables. Relays for each solenoid will make them, and your wiring, last longer. There have been number of ways to control the overdrive and/or lock-up. Time delay relays can be uses to get rid of gear pecking if using pressure sensors to control it automatically.

From what I've checked out, Ill keep the 3 speed for now.

 

[80mirada]

A look at the completed under-hood braces.

 

[80mirada]

Beginning of the front end rebuild

 

[80mirada]

First attempt at custom front sway bar brackets.

 

[80mirada]

Second attempt, these actually fit into place. They are made to hold an Addco 1 1/8" front sway bar.

 

[80mirada]

First attempt at rear mounts for the 1" rear bar. I drilled the sides wrong and had to redrill the mounting holes, the top is notched to fit next to a reinforcement. The brackets I made for the shock plates ended up being tossed in the scrap pile for a set of Firm Feel ones.

 

[80mirada]

A couple of shots of the Addco sway-bar in place with my custom brackets.

 

[80mirada]

The Addco bar is a pain in the butt. I had to clearance the ends of the bar and the control arms. I also had to do some creative grinding to get the end bushings to seat against it.

 

[80mirada]

More of the front suspension. 11.75" front caliper brackets are on, chamber shims, and aluminum K-member bushings.

 

[80mirada]

The front set of springs are a set of low mileage 5 leaf cop car springs that a local yard had on the shelf, they were still crusty. My 4 leaf springs were shot at best.

 

[80mirada]

I made a set of support plates for the front spring hangers, dont mind the odd holes. I then bought the Firm Feel Iso-elimination kit, with sway-bar tabs.

 

[80mirada]

Rebuilt the springs with new clamps, sliders, center bolts, and FFI Poly bushings.

 

[80mirada]

Much prettier tabs than the ones I had made.

 

[80mirada]

'96 Jeep Grand Cherokee Rear disc brakes from BHA43.

 

[80mirada]

I cut away the dust shields, but left the park brake portion. The center bore needs to be slightly enlarged, I used a grinding stone on a die grinder, and the bolt holes needed a little bit of clean up. this is such an easy swap I recommend it for everyone. The jeep I got this set from was pretty clapped out.

 

[80mirada]

Semi-complete rear, used 3.91 gears with a limited slip, most of the Jeep brake swap, and a 7290 yoke off a 4x4 Dakota, bolted to '85 Diplomat 5 leaf cop springs, with Firm Feel Iso-delete kit and poly bushings.

 

[80mirada]

Rear is mounted with the Addco 1" rear sway-bar, just a few days before going to storage. The first time the Mirada has been on 4 tires since we had moved in almost nine years earlier.

 

[CUSEMIRADA83]

I installed the A500 in mine about 10 years ago. Works well...It needs to be rebuilt as it was a junkyard piece that I threw in after my 904 crapped itself...Will be keeping an eye on this thread, for sure.

 

[80mirada]

Well the official count down to being in the same state as my Mirada has begun