I have done a search and it seems the 88 cradle is the same as the 86 except for needing shorter rear bolts and a different motor mount or motor mount bracket. Any other thing that will not swap directly? No suspension parts involved, just the cradle. Larry

As far as the 88 cradle bolting up to an 86 space frame, it should be just the shorter rear bolts. The earlier cradles had longer bolts because there are rubber bushings in between the frame and cradle; the 88 cradle bolts directly to the frame.

If you're planning on putting an 88 cradle on your 86, you'll also need to fiddle with the strut towers. The 88 knuckles position the struts inward and forwards a bit.

So does some mounting point on the cradle cause the shock towers to move or is it some other part that is attached to the cradle? I am looking at installing only the single solid one piece of the cradle, nothing else that is attached to it. Reason I am asking is I can get an 88 cradle for a swap, I would like to have most things complete when I get ready to do it, don't want other things to change. Larry

The 88 cradle will not accept the 84-87 lower a-arm. To use the 88 cradle, you need to use the 88 lateral links and 88 upright. The angle of the upright requires the upper strut mount to be relocated when installed in an 84-87 chassis.

Here is an 88 cradle:




Here is the 84-87:

[This message has been edited by fieroguru (edited 03-02-2012).]

Thankyou, it is now all clear to me. Larry