72 Convertible

[Hank]

I was finally able to drive the car home to wash and clean it up. I previously mentioned that it sat for 30 years without starting it. Engine sounds good and transmission is fine after a gasket and fluid. New gas tank and fuel lines. Replaced rear brakes. Next project will be the suspension. It was a rough ride driving the four miles to the house. I know the 30+ year old tires weren’t safe and didn’t help with the ride but it also felt pretty loose at a top end speed of about 35 mph. I want to keep the car as original as I can and have been considering the CJ Pony front suspension kit as well as their leaf springs. The car has 215/65/15 tires all around and Magnum 500 15x7 wheels with a lot of the chrome peeling off. Debating between chrome and alloy for the new wheels. I may go a little wider with the tires but I want the front and back to be the same size. I will probably go with off the shelf shocks. I enjoy learning from everyone’s projects and the experience and expertise of the members.

 

[cv_72mustang]

Very Nice, I was in your exact position 3 years ago. Maybe only 25 years sitting. I'd review/search the site for suggestions. Most will say to replace with better components that some 'offshore components vendors sell'

 

[Lazarus]

Cool car brother

 

[71ProjectJunk]

I just did my suspension some months ago. I bought some Eaton Detroit springs for the back and some Elgin for the front. Back sits perfect, front is too high. Attempted to save some money with the front springs, and now I will have to cut them. If I were to do it again I would buy the Eaton Detroit springs for the front. The "one size fits all" springs sold by most sellers will not give you a correct ride height.

 

[73CobraJet]

I rebuilt the suspension on 73 CJ vert two yrs ago. CJ Pony kind of close to my house. I went with the Scott Drake stuff including the 1 inch drop coils on the front which proved to be a good choice. Nice car, good luck with it!

 

[will e]

That's a good looking car! I would toss on some new tires and shocks first and then re-revaluate the ride. Also, if it doesn't have 'subframe connectors' you will want to seriously look into adding them. They are especially helpful on convertibles.

 

[tpj71mach]

Nice looking car! Some love on the suspension and new shocks and tires and she will drive like new. Enjoy your new toy!

 

[droptop73]

Nice car!

 

[cwalker509]

Liking the vert! I been absent from the forum for a little while but getting back at my 71 in earnest now that the engine is around 2 months away!

 

[c9zx]

What a great starting point! If the Magnums are original Ford pieces hold on to them for resale. I'd change the rear string bushings before buying new springs. All of the early (65-73) came from the factory as tail draggers. On front suspension KEEP the idler arm if it is Ford or older Moog, they can be rebuilt and none of the current aftermarket ones are correct. I'm not a fan of "suspension kits". The quality seems to be very spotty. I'd look at Moog front suspension pieces if parts are still available from them. Good luck with the restoration. Chuck

 

[mrgmhale]

I was finally able to drive the car home to wash and clean it up. I previously mentioned that it sat for 30 years without starting it. Engine sounds good and transmission is fine after a gasket and fluid. New gas tank and fuel lines. Replaced rear brakes. Next project will be the suspension. It was a rough ride driving the four miles to the house. I know the 30+ year old tires weren’t safe and didn’t help with the ride but it also felt pretty loose at a top end speed of about 35 mph. I want to keep the car as original as I can and have been considering the CJ Pony front suspension kit as well as their leaf springs. The car has 215/65/15 tires all around and Magnum 500 15x7 wheels with a lot of the chrome peeling off. Debating between chrome and alloy for the new wheels. I may go a little wider with the tires but I want the front and back to be the same size. I will probably go with off the shelf shocks. I enjoy learning from everyone’s projects and the experience and expertise of the members.

Re: "I will probably go with off the shelf shocks." Shocks so not changed ride height, unless they are air shocks or coil over shocks. Personally I would not use either one, as those kinds of shock put a lot of pressure on the shock mounts. The shock mounts "may" be able to handle the added load, but they were not designed to do so. But, lots of folks get away with it.

The only thing shocks are designed to do is to dampen spring rebound, thereby keeping the tires on the ground while reducing/eliminating the springy effect from the suspension springs. I prefer to have my shocks dampen the spring rebound quickly and assertively, so I get heavy duty hydraulic shocks to suppress rebound very quickly.

If your ride height is too low, or the car is bottoming out on bumps, you need to replace the offending springs - which is not unusual for cars that are 50 years old or so. If it is a set of springs you need, always replace springs in pairs, front pair or rear pair (or both pairs). My Go To for springs is Eaton Detroit Spring, Inc. Rather than pick and order your springs online, I strongly encourage you to call the sales line and get connected with a spring specialist who will ask you lots of questions (optional equipment, engine size, tire and wheel size, etc.) before making a recommendation. Their phone # is: (313) 963-3839

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/products/shocks/