(First post) general performance based questions on suspension and steering

[Kombait]

Hello yall, me and my father have just picked up a 72 mustang convertible and its my first time dealing with the older technologies that came with this car, the goal for this car is to be a good cruiser that can crush a few corners.

we have already put larger sway-bars and beefier leaf springs, wilwood brakes and modern PS4S tires on the car but the steering leaves much to be desired in both ratio and feel, would going to a lares 10:1 ratio or 12:1 ratio steering box address these "issues"?

is there a go to bolt on suspension setup for these cars that make them handle well? ive seen 4 link coil-over coversions that require welding, im not opposed to it but id prefer to keep everything reversible if needed.

 

[Sheriff41]

Howdy and welcome to the forums!

I've added Eaton springs, ADDCO sway bars, Koni shocks, subframe connectors, Traction Master bars, staggered 17" wheels and tires, and the fast ratio (10:1) steering gear to my '72 convertible. For my purposes, these changes make my car a handle well.

I also went through the brakes, freshened up all the parts, and added steel-braided hoses. The brakes now match the handling and performance of my '72.

I'm sure some of those that have done more indepth suspension mods will chime in with some advice. In the meanwhile, check out https://mikemaierinc.com/ and opentrackerracing.com for more ideas.

 

[Tnfastbk]

I went with the Street or Track coilover conversion kit and have been very happy with it. It's not cheap but fantastic quality. I also went with the sport bilstein shocks at all for corners. I have a quick ratio steering box that I like as well. I will put a couple of links down below.

https://streetortrack.com/suspensio...-track-mustang-front-bilstein-coilover-system
https://www.topflightautomotive.com...MI54K90re2iwMV_DUIBR23KwFREAQYAyABEgJwkPD_BwE

There are a few threads on here addressing the same subject

 

[Bentworker]

I don’t think you can go wrong with street or track, Opentracker or Mike Maier Inc. I have mostly Maier components. Personally I think the Maier rear leafs are a good solution that isn’t as costly as rear links.

For the steering,
Prepare to enter the rabbit hole. Steering feel and feedback is going to be controlled by a couple things.

1- Alignment, I suggest the specs on opentrackers website. Caster plays a huge part in feel.

2- The steering box itself. It isn’t all connected to the ratio of the steering box. Buying a quick ratio box does not mean you will have more feel / less 1970’s/80’s over-assisted stock box. The amount of assist is controlled by the size of a small torsion bar (t-bar) that is inside the input of the steering box. When you turn the steering wheel the torsion bar is connected on one end to the input shaft of the steering box (steering wheel) and the other to internal worm gear of the steering box itself. The deflection of the torsion bar is what moves a rotary valve and ports pressurized power steering fluid to one end of the piston or the other, providing the power assist. The larger the torsion bar, the more user effort is required to steer (more feel), the smaller the torsion bar the less effort it required to steer (less feel).

I do not know what the Lares “10:1” box has in it internally. It would be cool to hook up a dial torque wrench to one and see how they compare to a stock box.

The 71-73’s are fortunate enough to have Saginaw 800 power steering boxes which are in millions of Chrysler/Jeep vehicles and an absolute mountain of GM vehicles. Ours have a ford specific case, but all the guts interchange. If you find a good steering gear shop they can build yours as a quick ratio, and likely swap the input assembly. But at that price point you may be better off buying the Lares.

 

[Stanglover]

Hello and welcome from SW Ontario Canada.
What others have said.

 

[James Bond]

Welcome from NW Oregon, let the fun begin.

 

[Bill Perkins]

Hello yall, me and my father have just picked up a 72 mustang convertible and its my first time dealing with the older technologies that came with this car, the goal for this car is to be a good cruiser that can crush a few corners.

we have already put larger sway-bars and beefier leaf springs, wilwood brakes and modern PS4S tires on the car but the steering leaves much to be desired in both ratio and feel, would going to a lares 10:1 ratio or 12:1 ratio steering box address these "issues"?

is there a go to bolt on suspension setup for these cars that make them handle well? ive seen 4 link coil-over coversions that require welding, im not opposed to it but id prefer to keep everything reversible if needed.

Welcome abroad from Opelika, Alabama, Nice Ride, Keep up the Great Work