Adjustable strut rods

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Hey, thanks for posting that link!

Getting rid of the stock, rubber mounted strut rods has been on my to-do list. I balked at solid mounted rods as I am in Michigan and wary of the added harshness on our terrible roads but feel like this suspension link is probably the most important one to upgrade as it is the primary control for caster and also affects toe.

These seem like a good option for sure!

 
I have them installed in 2 cars also different brand (Street or track) As said before money very well spent There is hardly any perceptible road noise issue as long as the rest of your suspension is up to par and the most important YOUR front STRUCTURE UNIBODY IS IN good shape. I would not install them with out all new suspension-- bushing ball joints--etc.



IMO I would be worried about "ROAD SHOCK"

I replaced my original SR rubber with new rubber and OMG

the road shock is so bad on the crappy roads here.

Paul
Thats because the stock system isn't "hinged" like these are

The stock system moves the arm in the bushing almost a push pull movement

I would look at other areas of the car if the unibody has flaws (cracked welds rust previous repairs not done properly etc) your gonna hear it know about it amplify when replacing installing new suspension components



Where in the frame do they connect to?
They connect to the lower control arm and the front lower cross-member same mounting points as the stock system

 
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TY Qcode351mach I didn't consider that and will be interested in further reviews.

Paul
Paul been driving the hell out of my green 72 no issues hardly any road noise

I did make sure that my front structure was in good shape (I did fix a few spots and welds in the shock tower area) I have a monte carlo bar that I fabbed up and subframe connectors. Heres a test drive vid from a while ago

and you can look at the build thread to see some suspension pictures

http://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-green-72-fastback-former-429-460


 
TY Qcode351mach I didn't consider that and will be interested in further reviews.

Paul
Paul been driving the hell out of my green 72 no issues hardly any road noise

I did make sure that my front structure was in good shape (I did fix a few spots and welds in the shock tower area) I have a monte carlo bar that I fabbed up and subframe connectors. Heres a test drive vid from a while ago

and you can look at the build thread to see some suspension pictures

http://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-green-72-fastback-former-429-460
Love the sound! So want to drive mine. What exhaust are you running?

 
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That's an awesome video. I would have never thought the strut rod moves that much during braking. Is that whats expected of new bushings?

1971 M-code Mach 1

 
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I just found out about this site from my website visit referral data...glad I found it! Thanks for showing interest.

I own Pacific Thunder Performance Engineering. I recently redesigned the strut rods because I get the brackets laser cut now so they look a little different than the pic on the website. I also sell on Ebay as ptpengineeringinc.

I have been cleaned out again so it's about time to replenish stock again. I bought a new MIG welder so now I have two so I can have a 2nd welder help with production to keep up with demand. I plan to replenish stock in a week or two.

I have been on several mustang websites since around 2000 as blkfrd or blackford. I currently have a 65 FB mustang that I restomodded back in 2004, but I build parts for all vintage Mustangs, Comets, Mavericks, Australian Falcons, Cougars, and whatever else comes along. I just finished building a set of custom strut rods for a customer with a 61 Falcon. They were very similar to 65/66 Mustang strut rods but the LCA mounting holes were closer together and the bracket had to be shortened for the steering stop. The frame mount hole where the old rubber bushings went was smaller too.

I'm also working on some new LCAs that have a dual pivot point instead of the single mounting point. Working on the 65/66 Mustang version of it right now and later mustang version afterwards. Hope to start building these soon.

 
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All,

Holly Smokes Batman. Watch at the beginning of the road trip and watch the lower control arm just flex like crazy. After watching this video, unless you driving your mustang to the grocery store and back, stock replacement Lower control arms are no good for performance driving.

As blackford stated, the two point lower control arm would be the idea suspension setup. I cannot wait to see what he comes up with!

mustang7173


Hello blackford,

Nice stuff that you have there! One question! Since the strut rods are solid mounts, should we expect a certain amount off road noise and vibration through the front end?

I remember having stiff strut rod bushings and minor road imperfections would vibrate through the front end and dash area. Is this the trade off for better road performance handling.

Thanks

mustang7173 :bravo:

I just found out about this site from my website visit referral data...glad I found it! Thanks for showing interest.

I own Pacific Thunder Performance Engineering. I recently redesigned the strut rods because I get the brackets laser cut now so they look a little different than the pic on the website. I also sell on Ebay as ptpengineeringinc.

I have been cleaned out again so it's about time to replenish stock again. I bought a new MIG welder so now I have two so I can have a 2nd welder help with production to keep up with demand. I plan to replenish stock in a week or two.

I have been on several mustang websites since around 2000 as blkfrd or blackford. I currently have a 65 FB mustang that I restomodded back in 2004, but I build parts for all vintage Mustangs, Comets, Mavericks, Australian Falcons, Cougars, and whatever else comes along. I just finished building a set of custom strut rods for a customer with a 61 Falcon. They were very similar to 65/66 Mustang strut rods but the LCA mounting holes were closer together and the bracket had to be shortened for the steering stop. The frame mount hole where the old rubber bushings went was smaller too.

I'm also working on some new LCAs that have a dual pivot point instead of the single mounting point. Working on the 65/66 Mustang version of it right now and later mustang version afterwards. Hope to start building these soon.
 
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I've not heard anyone who has solid mount strut rods complain about road vibration. Those who bring up the concern are usually those who don't have them yet. Bumps in the road are probably felt more, but control is much better under driving and braking conditions. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Let me put it another way...i've not heard of someone who put them on subsequently take them off because of vibration/harshness concerns. I've had them on my 65 mustang for over 10 years and it's something that really never crossed my mind until someone brought it up. The car rides smooth and bumps in the road don't bother me except in the rear because of stiff 4.5 leaf springs that cause the back to take bumps harder than the front. Over time they've relaxed a bit...thankfully. 620 lb front coil springs would probably do more to increase road harshness in the front than solid strut rods.

All,

Holly Smokes Batman. Watch at the beginning of the road trip and watch the lower control arm just flex like crazy. After watching this video, unless you driving your mustang to the grocery store and back, stock replacement Lower control arms are no good for performance driving.

As blackford stated, the two point lower control arm would be the idea suspension setup. I cannot wait to see what he comes up with!

mustang7173


Hello blackford,

Nice stuff that you have there! One question! Since the strut rods are solid mounts, should we expect a certain amount off road noise and vibration through the front end?

I remember having stiff strut rod bushings and minor road imperfections would vibrate through the front end and dash area. Is this the trade off for better road performance handling.

Thanks

mustang7173 :bravo:

I just found out about this site from my website visit referral data...glad I found it! Thanks for showing interest.

I own Pacific Thunder Performance Engineering. I recently redesigned the strut rods because I get the brackets laser cut now so they look a little different than the pic on the website. I also sell on Ebay as ptpengineeringinc.

I have been cleaned out again so it's about time to replenish stock again. I bought a new MIG welder so now I have two so I can have a 2nd welder help with production to keep up with demand. I plan to replenish stock in a week or two.

I have been on several mustang websites since around 2000 as blkfrd or blackford. I currently have a 65 FB mustang that I restomodded back in 2004, but I build parts for all vintage Mustangs, Comets, Mavericks, Australian Falcons, Cougars, and whatever else comes along. I just finished building a set of custom strut rods for a customer with a 61 Falcon. They were very similar to 65/66 Mustang strut rods but the LCA mounting holes were closer together and the bracket had to be shortened for the steering stop. The frame mount hole where the old rubber bushings went was smaller too.

I'm also working on some new LCAs that have a dual pivot point instead of the single mounting point. Working on the 65/66 Mustang version of it right now and later mustang version afterwards. Hope to start building these soon.
 
I've not heard anyone who has solid mount strut rods complain about road vibration. Those who bring up the concern are usually those who don't have them yet. Bumps in the road are probably felt more, but control is much better under driving and braking conditions. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Let me put it another way...i've not heard of someone who put them on subsequently take them off because of vibration/harshness concerns. I've had them on my 65 mustang for over 10 years and it's something that really never crossed my mind until someone brought it up. The car rides smooth and bumps in the road don't bother me except in the rear because of stiff 4.5 leaf springs that cause the back to take bumps harder than the front. Over time they've relaxed a bit...thankfully. 620 lb front coil springs would probably do more to increase road harshness in the front than solid strut rods.
Can you please share a picture of the strut rod installed? I am curious on how it looks.

 
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