Hope this doesn't sound like a dumb question, but where exactly are the gears located on an independent rear axle

 

Nicely well put indeed, Kory. As I also have faith that both Ford, and the Mustang will continue to survive for many more years, yet to come.

 

Yep, just as the Challenger goes the way of the dinosaur after a single production run...just like the original.

 

You don't think GM will keep the Challenger?

Local Dodge dealer has a nice R/T on the lot. Just under $37K MSRP. Dealer has a $10K ADM.
Apparently they've sold four so far, in this 'terrible' economy. Go figure.

 

If GM does indeed purchase Chrysler, I just can't see GM supporting 2 muscle car models in today's economic market. This was part of the reason for the F-body's demise in 2002. ie Camaro/Firebird !

 

The same place they are in the solid rear axle..

The first two pictures are Cobra IRS rear ends, the third picture is a Ford solid rear axle.









The ring and pinion gears are in the large center housing...

 

Hey now, I resent that lol. For I owned a 78 Mustang II/King Cobra. Although there was no comparison to it's muscle car roots. It was never the less, a fun car to enjoy during that period.

 

Yes indeed, the gears are set up exactly in the same housing location, as the SRA is. In the meantime, thanks once again for setting the record straight, and especially for posting the pics. As you've definitely been very helpful.

 

No, of course they won't. It'll be bye-bye Challenger.

Could make the current Chally a good investment, though. Not only is it a relatively rare car to begin with, but once Chrysler folds, its intrinsic value will shoot up quickly, I expect.

The only concern would be where one would get it serviced. The CCS in these cars make it tough for people to do more than basic work - and finding a mechanic with the right diagnostic systems down the road will, ahem, be rather "challenging."

 

I would imagine GM would more than likely take over servicing the Challenger, providing of course they don't end up destroying Mopar's part bins, or tooling molds.

 

My black/gold '76 Cobra II was a great looker, but the snappy-loose suspension was outright scary. Had the Cologne 2.8 with custom exhaust (Sounded great! Best exhaust note until my '06 GT.) but got regularly dusted by rock-stock 280Zs (straight line AND twisties).

Like I said: great looker, but not a runner...

 

Glad to have enlightened you...

 

The Challenger is really not all that different that the Charger, 300 and Magnum that it is based from. I'm sure most parts are the same, except body panels. The most recent news I've herd of the merger day it's best a 50/50 shot.

 

they should keep the LX line and make police cars but drop the hemi and use the LS

 

I have to disagree with those who've said the a SRA is better on everyday roads. I don't think anyone has mentioned this: it depends on where you drive! The roads where I live are subject to frost, salt and snow plows. They are rough, uneven, pockmarked and bumpy. Up here, the real world ride and handling advantages of an IRS are plainly evident to anyone with even a little bit of driving awareness. Just my noob $.02

For the record, I would rather drive 70's Farrah Fawcett than 70's Burt Reynolds

 

I dont recall anyone saying that the SRA was better than the IRS, just that it is good enough. It was 30 degrees here this morning and has been that way for over a week before sunrise. Average change of temperature has been 35-40 degrees daily. Our roads suck too. Dont drive like an idiot and you will be ok. Otherwise dont you think all those truck owners would be complaining?

 

of course it is better on uneven roads i dont think anyone would say otherwise. the point is SRA is not that bad on strip or track. IRS is not the gamechanger, the gamechanger this time will be 5.0 and price

 

From what I have read/ heard is that GM's main objective in getting Chrysler is basically to keep the Jeep brand and either dissolve or sell off the remaining Dodge/Chrysler brands to Nissan/Renault whom have also expressed interest in Chrysler. Keep in mind Nissan's next pickups will be based heavy on the new Dodge Ram and Dakota.

 

Then too was the old 3.8 V6 "good enough," just like the SRA is. Only if you drive like an idiot on real world streets would a big, powerful V8, or IRS, make sense. So perhaps Ford, to increase affordability and save fools from themselves, should cease to offer the death-dealing 4.6, never mind the genocidal 5.4. Indeed, from an "idiotic" standpoint of street driving, a big powerful V8 makes much less sense than the increased stability and handling offered by an IRS. Perhaps Ford should quit offering disk brakes lest people try to foolishly stop to quickly?

It amazes me how the SRA is defended basically on the basis of low standards and mediocrity, i.e., it's good enough on flat, smooth roads if not driven in some performance-oriented manner. If the same standards and rationale were applied to the Stang's V8, we'd still have the flathead motor wheezing out a "good enough" 80 hp or so. In a sense, the upcoming 5.0, as good as that motor's likely to be, will be less a gamechanger than a bit more of the same -- bigger motor for more simple straight line acceleration -- same game as always.

Developing a fully fleshed performance envelope for the Mustang, now THAT would be a game changer, not that Ford hasn't toyed with that a bit in the past to various degrees of success (SVO, previous gen SVT Cobra, Boss 302).

It's high time that American car companies strive for genuine world class greatness at all levels rather than some provincial level of "good enough." And people wonder why, with such condescending attitudes and approaches, the big three, errr two and counting, are in such horrible straights.

 

i think they strive for putting in v8s in affordable cars that being said the 5.0 is of greater importance than an IRS. the bullitt with an updated SRA is more track capable than an RT with an IRS so lets not act like an IRS is end all for handling. an IRS is way better on the uneven streets no doubt but some people talk like the SRA cant turn for s--t when it can. h--l even know it all clarkson said it can when he drove the roush, the one he thought had an IRS, that had an upgraded SRA. so come on now, the IRS is good and better all around than the SRA, and its coming, but most will agree the 5.0 should come first