1991 and 1993 Thunderbird 3.8 SC; seen 23MAY25

I can get the books out if you want Ford's instructions.
 
It’s a pretty similar process: bolts across the upper cowl, nuts on the A pillars, and a couple bolts to the trans tunnel. Unbolt the column U joint, unscrew/disconnect the big round electrical connector that goes through the firewall, the connector that attaches to the body harness near the dead pedal bracket and the couple connectors behind the passenger kick panel that connect the dash to the stereo, ARC/ABS and EEC harnesses.
 
supergordo said:

rumble.com

1994-1997 MN12 Dashboard removal video

This video shows how to remove the complete dashboard on a 1994-1997 Ford Thunderbird or Mercury Cougar. With suggestions on Heater core removal.
rumble.com rumble.com


Keep in mind, My video is for removal of the 94-97 dash. The eariler ones are different and not covered in the video. But the videos might help you a bit.
Click to expand...

Amazing detail!
 
So is the clutch pedal at least usable across all years? Seems TBSCshop has two different ones for before/from '94 iirc; not sure what the difference is.
 
jco1385 said:
I was incorrect. They'd be 89-91. Those are 92 and up. They're notoriously difficult to find unbroken. I don't personally need them. You could probably sell that set, but in my experience those are easier to come by.

This is the set I sold years ago. Notice the wiper arms are both in one panel, and the 'step' on the windshield side.

View attachment 12113

The dead pedal is factory with the hand brake. It does swap to all years. *edit: if you delete the foot e-brake

Those cars will also have the L braces behind the rear seats. They are a fairly easy grab and may (or may not?) add a bit of rigidity to your car.
Click to expand...
I seem to recall that wiper cowls changed after the 92 model....92 is the same at 89-91 stated above. 93 might be a unique version, or maybe grouped with 94-97
 
There's a line somewhere in 91-92. My homework narrowed it to 89-91 and 92+, but OP pulled what I would call 92+ covers from this 91 - so I can't be sure. Maybe it was a mid-year change?

OP, I have only found early model SCs and I ran an early pedal in my 94 for years. I can't say what the difference is - if any.
 
There is a slight difference in the positioning of the pedal on the later vs early clutch pedals, but they will all install and work in any MN12, so if someone is looking for a pedal for a manual swap, they won’t care what year it came out of.
 
MadMikeyL said:
There is a slight difference in the positioning of the pedal on the later vs early clutch pedals, but they will all install and work in any MN12, so if someone is looking for a pedal for a manual swap, they won’t care what year it came out of.
Click to expand...

The big difference is the brake pedal, 89-92 is basically a auto pedal but narrower, where later ones have a bit of an S bend in the arm that positions it closer to the accelerator.
 
Pretty rusty. Still valuable?

20250525_112351.jpg

Do I just need the pedal, or also the mechanism behind it?

Getting the manual brake pedal, too, I imagine.
 
Just surface rust, that’s how they all look.

The mechanism behind it is the clutch switch you can wire up for cruise control and starter starter safety, I’d actually snip the pigtail to go with it

FYI with the brake pedal the only part of value is the pedal arm itself, you don’t need the “cage” like you do the clutch pedal, it’ll just swap into the auto one, and in the case of 96-97s is what you have to do anyway since it has different mounting for the electric cruise travel switch
 
XR7-4.6 said:
FYI with the brake pedal the only part of value is the pedal arm itself, you don’t need the “cage” like you do the clutch pedal, it’ll just swap into the auto one, and in the case of 96-97s is what you have to do anyway since it has different mounting for the electric cruise travel switch
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Only took the arm. That saved $10.
 
It’s not really of much demand for them, you need to convert to the handbrake to use it and that’s not nearly as popular to do than the manual swap
 
XR7-4.6 said:
It’s not really of much demand for them, you need to convert to the handbrake to use it and that’s not nearly as popular to do than the manual swap
Click to expand...

How difficult is it to remove the dead pedal? Just curious because removing the foot parking brake was a PITA for me.

As for the dead pedal, is it useful to have? I don't understand the need for it but then again, I haven't ever used one on these cars. My foot can rest on carpet left to the clutch. I think it's kind of a slide under move depending on my shoes.
 
Kenz said:
How difficult is it to remove the dead pedal? Just curious because removing the foot parking brake was a PITA for me.

As for the dead pedal, is it useful to have? I don't understand the need for it but then again, I haven't ever used one on these cars. My foot can rest on carpet left to the clutch. I think it's kind of a slide under move depending on my shoes.
Click to expand...

It’s easier than the footbrake since there’s not a bunch of mechanism in the way and I might be misremembering but I feel like I remember there being three bolts holding the footbrake onto the side to the dead pedals two.

I’m somewhat indifferent to it, I thought I’d miss it going back to the footbrake but not really. If you’re comfortable with it as is I wouldn’t bother with it, save the weight
 
The dead pedal is kind of nice on long drives, but not really that much of a difference. Definitely not worth giving up the 97 cup holders for it.
 
MadMikeyL said:
The dead pedal is kind of nice on long drives, but not really that much of a difference. Definitely not worth giving up the 97 cup holders for it.
Click to expand...

I’ve found on long trips where I’m not shifting gears often I just put my left foot flat on the floor for comfort, same as I did when it was an auto.
 
I do too. The problem with that on a manual car is that puts my foot half under the clutch pedal and half under the parking brake, so it takes a second to pull my foot out from under them to hit the clutch. It’s not really an issue since even in a panic stop situation, you’re on the brake for a second or 2 before you need to press the clutch, but it is a mild annoyance to have to pull my foot out from under there whenever traffic is slowing, just in case. Like I said, not enough to justify losing the cup holders, and if I only had the 97, I would forget all about it, but whenever I drive the XR7, which has the factory dead pedal, it’s just a little bit more comfortable, as long as I don’t also have a drink I’m trying to not spill.
 
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