Best original style front suspension kit

[Paul113]

I'm looking for some opinion's on who is the best source for the best quality original replacement front suspension kits for the best price that include all necessary parts. This is for a restoration. I appreciate your opinions.

 

[Stanglover]

My favorite subject........ well sort of.

I wanted original style, not far better and more expensive modern stuff. I went with a Scott Drake complete front end kit. There are 2 styles, one painted all black and one that is more correct and only partially painted as you'll see. Fitting this kit was relatively easy for my front end 'guy'. The quality was as good as the original in metal thickness and appearance.

Now, here's the problem. The front springs sold with the 71-73 kit were NOT right at all. They were 2" too tall and a thinner gauge wire than the originals on MY car, which is a 71, 351C 4 speed, no A/C, (weight matters in the choice of spring rate) I would strongly recommend buying a kit without springs, then go to Eaton Detroit Springs and order the correct one for your car, either on their website or by phone. You could also get the info you need and order from NPD if that works better for you. In my case, my front springs were still at spec height with zero distortion and therefore still usable. Incorrect springs is not acceptable in my book. Why can't these vendors get it right! 67 -73 doesn't cut it. It's 71-73 or nothing. I believe our shock towers are lower, therefore shorter spring are required. There are other brands out there and I'm sure other members will give their opinion.

Good luck finding what you want.

 

[73pony]

I am in the process of finishing mine up right now. I went with Moog UCA, LCA, tie rod ends, etc from Rock Auto. I ordered springs from Eaton Detroit I ordered the improved handling with the 1" drop. They are very nice. I should be finished with the install tonight. All the parts went in without a hitch. The moog stuff is nice quality. The only mod I did was to weld some stiffener plates on the LCA's that I made up to stiffen them up a bit.

 

[Mister 4x4]

I got mine through the apparently now-defunct Laurel Mountain Mustang as part of a "Super Suspension Kit."  The springs are not 1" drop springs as I specified and they are ridiculously stiff (which is a good thing, based on not having to worry about bottoming out or anything).

I'm currently tossing around the idea of picking up a set bolt-on adjustable coil-overs, and ditch the stock-style springs altogether... my biggest problem being the price of the coil-overs bounced against the less-than-500 miles I actually have on the new springs I installed as part of putting the car back together (over $500 for a pair of coil-overs vs. the $1200 spent on the complete Super Suspension Kit).

Were I to do it all over again, I'd probably buy the whole thing from OMS and just be done with it.  NPD is a good back-up plan to fill-in any parts that OMS might not have in-stock.

 

[MeZapU]

I purchased my kit from Mustangs Plus many years ago. They have many many options to tailor the parts to your needs and budget.

http://www.mustangsplus.com/Mustang-Suspension-Parts/

 

[mustang7173]

All,

I have the Detroit Eaton coil springs on the way. According to Eaton Detroit springs,

Ford 1973 Mustang Hardtop with 302-V8 and A/C

MC-3718 - Improved handling coil spring, 1 inch lowered, -spring rate-362 lbs

MC-1280 - Standard coil spring, - spring rate -295 .lbs

I currently have the 620 .lbs 1 inch lowered coils. As with comments from Mister 4x4, I agree. The 620's are too stiff.

As I have always pointed to Handling information, professionals have always recommended to replace your springs with the factory rates. Since the springs are what hold you car up. The sway bars prevent body roll. If you want to lowered, get the lowering type springs. The spring rate will determine the how it will ride!!

Recommended read-

How to Make Your Car Handle Paperback – January 1, 1987

by Fred Puhn (Author)

mustang7173

 

[Stanglover]

All,

I have the Detroit Eaton coil springs on the way. According to Eaton Detroit springs,

Ford 1973 Mustang Hardtop with 302-V8 and A/C

MC-3718 -  Improved handling coil spring, 1 inch lowered,  -spring rate-362 lbs

MC-1280 - Standard coil spring, - spring rate -295 .lbs

I currently have the 620 .lbs 1 inch lowered coils. As with comments from Mister 4x4, I agree. The 620's are too stiff.

As I have always pointed to Handling information, professionals have always recommended to replace your springs with the factory rates. Since the springs are what hold you car up. The sway bars prevent body roll. If you want to lowered, get the lowering type springs. The spring rate will determine the how it will ride!!

Recommended read-

How to Make Your Car Handle Paperback – January 1, 1987

by Fred Puhn (Author)

mustang7173

Good call! From my bad experience with aftermarket so-called correct springs, OEM is the only way to go for original front suspension.

You'll enjoy the ride I'm sure.

 

[Mister 4x4]

How stiff is too stiff?  Right after I dropped in the engine and transmission, I noticed the car's front end didn't settle down at all.  So, two of my buddies and I climbed onto the front end of the car (minus fenders, hood, etc.) - they were each on an apron (sitting right on top of the shock towers), and I was "riding" the front cross member.  I'm around 300 lbs, my buddies aren't exactly skinny-minnies either, and it didn't sink but a millimeter or two.  I even bounced up and down, and only managed about a half-inch deflection.

They've settled in a little since they've been on the car and I've actually driven it a bit, but still WAY too stiff.  Now, I'm noticing a minor 'clunk' when I hit a decent-sized (not huge) divot or bump in the road.  Something could be loose, a bushing could've gotten squished and won't come back, or it might be something else altogether, but those springs are just too much.

These are what I'm thinking of... but I'm trying to find better prices.  Those deceiving articles in Mustang Monthly and other rags say they can be had for about half that price... so far, not so much. (I know they're not original - sorry, not trying to hijack the thread - but they're a direct bolt-in replacement of the stock springs/shocks)

https://www.npdlink.com/store/products/mustang_front_suspension_conversion_kit_adjustable_coil_over-206778-368.html