Picking out an 87-93 mustang body kit is probably one of the most exciting parts of owning a Fox Body, but it can also be a total headache if you aren't sure what you're looking for. These cars have such a distinct, boxy "aero" look that defined a whole generation of muscle cars, and even though they're decades old now, the aftermarket support is still insane. Whether you're trying to restore a beat-up GT or you want to give your LX a much more aggressive stance, the right kit makes all the difference in the world.
The thing about the 87-93 years is that Ford really leaned into that smooth, aerodynamic style compared to the earlier four-eye Foxes. You've already got a great canvas to work with, but after thirty-plus years on the road, a lot of those factory urethane pieces are sagging, cracked, or just looking tired. That's usually when people start looking at full kits to freshen things up.
Why Everyone Loves the Fox Body Aesthetic
There's just something about a clean 87-93 Mustang. It doesn't try to be curvy like the SN95 that came after it, and it isn't as jagged as the early 80s models. It's got those straight lines and that iconic silhouette that just screams "1990s cool." When you start looking at an 87-93 mustang body kit, you're usually trying to do one of two things: you're either going for a factory-plus look, or you're going for a full-on custom street machine.
Most guys fall into the camp of wanting that 1993 Cobra look. It's arguably the cleanest design Ford ever put on the Fox chassis. It's subtle, it's classy, and it doesn't look like you're trying too hard. Then you have the Saleen-inspired kits, which are way more "in your face" with huge ground effects and those massive rear wings. Both are cool, but they tell a very different story at a local car meet.
Choosing Between Urethane and Fiberglass
This is the big debate you'll run into as soon as you start shopping. If you've spent any time on the forums, you know people have very strong opinions about materials.
Urethane is generally what you want if you're actually going to drive your car on the street. It's flexible. If you accidentally scrape a curb or hit a speed bump a little too fast, urethane is going to flex and probably pop back into shape. It's much closer to the material Ford used from the factory. The downside? It can be a bit heavier, and sometimes it's prone to "waviness" if it isn't prepped correctly before paint.
Fiberglass, on the other hand, is stiff and lightweight. This is why you see it used for high-end race cars and custom hoods. You can get much sharper lines and more complex shapes with fiberglass. But—and this is a big but—it's brittle. If you hit a pothole or catch the bottom of your front air dam on a driveway, it's going to crack or even shatter. It also requires a lot more bodywork to get the fitment perfect. Most fiberglass kits aren't just "bolt-on and go"; you're going to be doing a lot of sanding and filling.
The Most Popular Styles People Go For
When you're hunting for an 87-93 mustang body kit, a few specific styles tend to dominate the market.
First up is the Cobra Style. Like I mentioned, the '93 Cobra is the holy grail for many. This kit usually includes a unique front grille insert (the one with the running pony), specific side skirts, and a rear bumper that actually has cutouts for the exhaust tips—something the standard GT bumper didn't have. It's a very "OEM+" look that never goes out of style.
Then there's the Saleen Style. If you want your Mustang to look like it's glued to the ground, this is the way to go. These kits are famous for their deep front air dams and side skirts that have those horizontal strakes. It's a very aggressive, wide look. It's not for everyone, but if you have the right set of wheels to fill out those wheel wells, it looks incredible.
For those who want something a bit more modern, there are Stalker-style kits. These usually incorporate larger openings for cooling and a more rounded front end. They're definitely a departure from the classic Fox Body lines, but for a custom build, they can really set the car apart from the hundreds of stock GTs out there.
Making Sure the Fitment Isn't a Nightmare
I'll be honest with you: bodywork is a bit of a dark art. You might see an 87-93 mustang body kit online that says "direct fit," but that's rarely 100% true. These cars were built with certain tolerances back in the day, and after thirty years, those frames have twisted and shifted a bit.
When you get your kit, the first thing you need to do is a "dry fit." Don't even think about opening a can of paint until you've mocked up every single piece on the car. You'll probably find that the gaps between the fenders and the bumper aren't quite even, or the side skirts are a fraction of an inch too long.
This is where the real work happens. You'll need to trim, shim, and maybe even heat up certain areas to get them to sit right. If you're doing this in your garage, take your time. If you're taking it to a shop, make sure they have experience with aftermarket body parts. A regular collision repair shop might get frustrated with a kit that doesn't fit like a factory Toyota part.
Don't Forget the Prep Work and Paint
The kit itself is only half the battle. The finish is what people are actually going to see. Since many of these kits come in a raw gel coat or a primer finish, there's a lot of surface prep involved.
Fiberglass often has "pinholes"—tiny little air bubbles in the resin that you can't see until you start painting. If you don't fill those properly, they'll show up as tiny dots in your clear coat, and it'll drive you crazy every time you wash the car. Urethane needs a special "flex additive" in the paint so that it doesn't crack the first time the bumper flexes.
It's also worth considering the rest of your car's paint. If your Mustang has original paint from 1990, it's likely faded a bit. If you just paint your new 87-93 mustang body kit using the factory color code, it might look way brighter than the rest of the car. A good painter will try to blend the new paint into the old panels so the transition isn't so jarring.
Final Thoughts on Upgrading Your Fox
At the end of the day, installing an 87-93 mustang body kit is one of the best ways to put your own stamp on your car. The Fox Body community is huge, and while some purists might tell you to keep it stock, there's nothing like seeing a freshly kitted Mustang rolling down the street.
It's an investment of both time and money, but when you pull that car out of the garage and see those new lines catching the light, it's totally worth it. Just remember to do your research on materials, be prepared for a bit of "massaging" during the install, and don't skimp on the paint job. Your Mustang has survived this long; it deserves to look its absolute best for the next thirty years.