Ready to start on the front suspension

[Doug The Dog]

Oh, what to do? I am finished with the rear suspension and I'm moving on to the front. I want to lower the front 1 inch, improve the handling, but not sacrifice too much comfort. I'm not asking too much, right? I'm looking for sugestions and stories about suspension mods and replacements you all have done. I'm breaking new ground here, so I'm really not sure were to start.

 

[mustang7173]

Doug The Dog,

I have purchased the following to rebuild my 1973 Mustang Coupe

Standard Upper Control Arms

http://www.opentrackerracingproducts.com/streetupper/

Roller Spring Perches

http://www.opentrackerracingproducts.com/rollerperch/

Moog Lower Control Arms

http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MOOG-K8123

Lower Control Arm Camber Kit

http://www.opentrackerracingproducts.com/camberkit/

I recommend the specification of these products.

1967-1973 Mustang 560 lbs - 1" lower

http://www.opentrackerracingproducts.com/coilspring/

1971-1973 Mustang 1" Front Sway Bar

http://www.opentrackerracingproducts.com/frontswaybar/

¼" Polyurethane Coil Spring Insulator Pads

http://www.opentrackerracingproducts.com/springpads/

I recommend Moog Strut Rod bushing for the strut rods. No poly on this.

http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MOOG-K8157

This is a nice setup that should last a long time. Make sure you get or rent a good coil spring compression tool.

Mustang7173

 

[OMS]

I have a stock kit

Item #68-73FTSUSP-KIT

68-73 FRONT SUSPENSION KIT

Kit includes 2 complete upper control arms with riveted ball joints, 2 complete lower control arms with riveted ball joints, 2 coil spring perches, 2 coil spring insulators, sway bar end link kit, 2 sway bar bushings (5/8) and a strut rod bushing kit. Price: $289.95

 

[droptop73]

For the front suspension on my car the plan is to leave the stock springs, use KYB gas adjust shocks with Dazecars roller perch kits. A 1-1/8" front sway bar and a set of the Midolyne strut rod bushings from CJ's for now. I'm planning on building a pair of adjustable strut rods per the instructions found here: http://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-homemade-adj-strut-rods

A performance alignment will finish it off.

 

[wwhite72]

I have almost the same parts as mustang7173 above. The guy at opentracker is honest and a pleasure to do business with. Mustangs Unlimited sells his stuff with a markup. He knows our cars very well. The prices are very reasonable for the quality, and always use Moog parts when possible as mentioned above. My car drives better than new as far as the front suspension is concerned. You can get any height, any weight rating, and as exotic as you want using the improved original spec parts. Very cool.

 

[cazsper]

I have a set of Maier Racing 600# coils, 165# leaf springs, 1 1/8 front sway bar, 3/4" rear sway bar and a set of KYB Gas-adjust shocks (funds were low but the seem to work rather well). As for control arms, I really like Global West. I have them on my '68 coupe.

When it comes to control arms (Global West, Total Control, ETC), is there a big difference or is it mostly an issue of cost?

 

[wwhite72]

Control arms? those guys make some really nicely engineered aftermarket pieces that i bet work really well. Especially the coil-overs. If i had a show car the TCP stuff would be at the top of my list. the machining and finish are impressive. But since i have a weekend driver i went with improved OEM stuff. It has worked for 40+yrs on hundreds of thousands of cars so it should be fine for my needs. and the rollerized components really make the suspension come to life. now if only we could get Bilstein to make shocks for our front ends it would make life a lot easier.

 

[Doug The Dog]

The components from "Open Tracker" look great! They really have their stuff together. I'm also looking at "Control Freaks" Tubular upper and lower control arms. I'll contact both companies and get the low down. Now.... When it comes to the steering components, I've been looking at "Grab-a Trak" brand, but come to find out, they're made by another company for Mustangs Plus. I can probably find the same components locally made by Moog for less money. I also have a faster ratio gear box that I robbed out of a Mach1 parts car. Need to get that rebuilt too. One last question. What's the difference in the 1" and 1 1/8" front sway bar? (Other than the obvious size difference).

 

[Qcode351mach]

The components from "Open Tracker" look great! They really have their stuff together. I'm also looking at "Control Freaks" Tubular upper and lower control arms. I'll contact both companies and get the low down. Now.... When it comes to the steering components, I've been looking at "Grab-a Trak" brand, but come to find out, they're made by another company for Mustangs Plus. I can probably find the same components locally made by Moog for less money. I also have a faster ratio gear box that I robbed out of a Mach1 parts car. Need to get that rebuilt too. One last question. What's the difference in the 1" and 1 1/8" front sway bar? (Other than the obvious size difference).

Did you check out the system from street or track I installed in my car

http://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-video-install-of-sot-coilover-conver

 

[wwhite72]

Moog also has very extensive anti counterfeiting measures in place now. Their site gives a number of detailed descriptions of what to look for on the sealed boxes. Rock auto can have them at your house in a couple days. I like the tie rod ends i bought last year. Zerk fittings installed in a coated plate with heavy castle nuts and heavy duty boots. Great for the price.

 

[droptop73]

A 1-1/8" sway bar is approximately 60% stiffer than a 1" sway bar.

The 1-1/8" is approximately 500% stiffer than the factory 5/8" bar.

 

[OpiemusRex]

I bought the complete super suspension kit with mid eye 1"drop 5 leaf rears and 1"lowered front springs.Thing was that I lightened the motor a lot with aluminum heads, headers and intake. The net result was that the front coils were way too stiff and had the car looking like it was about to pull the front wheels off of the ground. After much consultation I ordered smaller diameter coil spings from Dayton Springs and now the car sits right.

 

[mustang7173]

Hello Doug The Dog,

From what I have read and my experience, it is recommended to install a 1 inch or 1-1/8 inch front sway bar and a 5/8 inch rear sway bar. The reason I posted the 1 inch bar is that I had the 1 1/8 inch bar rubbing on the front bumper support. Now, it could be that I do not quite have it aligned just right, but I have noticed it on both sides. It could also be due to the 1 inch lowered 600# springs too.

Here is one of the best guides that I have read on mustang performance and handling.

Mustang Performance and Handling Guide, 1964-1985

http://www.amazon.com/Mustang-Performance-Handling-Guide-1964-1985/dp/0879381973/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364172175&sr=8-1&keywords=mustang+handling

mustang7173

 

[cazsper]

I have a 1 1/8" (front) and 3/4" (rear) on both my '68 coupe and '73 Mach-1 (daily drivers) and couldn't be happier.

 

[Doug The Dog]

Looks like I'm going to go with "opentracker" suspension components, 1" front and 3/4" rear sway bars and still debating on steering components.

 

[wwhite72]

I bought the TCP billet tie rod adjustors to go on the Open Tracker tie rods, only because they look so friggin cool.

 

[droptop73]

FYI,

You can buy swedged tube from Speedway motors for a ton less money that does the same thing.