Topic: lowering the rear of a 65 mustang

[scupples]

OK guys,  I know there are several ways to lower the front via special springs, cutting the springs and the uca method.  But how do I drop (lower) the rear.  Do I take out a leaf, use a lowering block, relocate the mounting points of the leaf springs or what.  Of course the cheaper and simpler way is always welcome if it will not have a negative effect on handling or look dorkey from the rear.  I would like to lower the front 2-3 inches and the rear 1-2 inches.  Seems like there is tons of clearance front and rear as long as I don't put way oversize wheels.  As always thanks for the info.

[66GTKFB]

What is your ultimate goal? Lowering for lowering's sake can be done with a torch.
Jim

[Soaring]

You can change out the rear leaf springs. 

[scupples]

Thanks for the replies,  although I'm not sure what Jim means by using a torch.  Do you mean heating up the leafs and weakening them and making them brittle?  My ultimate goal is to lower the car to give it a little more modern look.  I have restored other Mustangs back to factory specs but I just want to play with this one  and try other things.  Thanks for suggesting changing out the leaf springs.  Any suggestions on what springs to use?  I have heard that removing a leaf will lower the car but may cause more bounce which is not good.  Thanks again.

[66GTKFB]

The "torch" can make any mod you want. It's the clean-up that takes time. There are reverse eye (front mounting point) springs and lowering blocks that might work. The shocks may not fit however. For a more modern look, think about a more modern car.
Jim

[ol dirty doug]

yo man the absolute easiest and ceapiest way to do it it to install lowering blocks, the block goes between the diff and spring, you will either need a kit that includes blocks and ubolts or go to autozone and they have blocks and ubolts of various sizes. might cost you 60 bucks and two hours of time!

[scupples]

Jim, was it  something I said?  What is with all the  sarcasm?  Have you never modified a car to your liking?  I have restored cars for 40 years, some back to original, some with slight mods and I learn something new on every project.  Just never lowered the rear of a stang and asking if anyone else has done it with any degree of sucess. But anyway, thanks for taking the time to read my inquiry and good luck.  Oh, and by the way, I have some modern iron in my shop and driveway.  Steve

[66GTKFB]

Without getting into backgrounds, I've made, modified, raced and restored cars. I have a problem with "wann-a-bes" (I am not calling you that) that leap into action and screw things up beyond repair. There are no rules to modify and little outside quality control (I am not calling your project sloppy). As to your situation, your original post came on as amateurish and I responded as such. Cutting front springs would not be my first choice to lowering a car (your method). Removing a leaf on rear springs would also not be my first choice. Both techniques have been used, I don't like them. Over a period of time, several better methods have evolved: the Shelby drop in the front; lowering blocks or reverse eyes in the back as examples. You may be tempted to try other methods and I wish you well. Don't over do it -  or do over do it, your choice.
Jim

[Soaring]

I Agree with Jim.  WHY?   The factory look to me is just fine for a classic.  Why muck up a good factory engineered design for a "modern" look?  These are not "modern" cars.  That's what makes them so special. 

[ol dirty doug]

hey news flash! its his car, let him do with it as he or she wants.  for your info the old mustangs were kinda shitty when it came to performance and handling, save for maybe the more expensive models and unobtainable ones that will set you back a few hundred thousand dollars today.  whats wrong with taking the timeless look of an old mustang and making it look better?  ya its not stock but thats what makes it cool, anyone can buy a "stock" car and that might be what you are into, but for myself and a lot of other people we like to make them our own and modify them far from stock!  look its still a ford mustang ya its not stock, ya its different, but it is fun.  now if it were a "real " gt500 or some shit like that ya then i would slap someone for chopping it up, but this is and most are a dime a dozzen car where thousands upon thousands were made.  why bash on the guy when you can support him for having a common love for the mustang.  thats all i have to say on that.   hope i did not make anyone mad.

[scupples]

Thanks for the replies.  And I agree with most of what you stated.  I just finished a 66 back to factory specs and it looks fantastic.  Invested well into the lower to mid 5 figures and am glad I did it. And I mean I did it.  I am a hands on builder and not a check writer. The new project is a 65 with a somewhat twisted body, just a little, and I thought I would play a little hot rod with it.  Nothing that can't be undone and brought back to orignal.  Over the years I have seen some really good looking examples that went beyond stock and I thought it would be fun to try a few different things  Thinking outside the box if you will.  Thank goodness some guy played around with a '32 coupe years ago or else the whole hot rod scene would be rather mundane.  So Jim, no offense meant and none taken.  And Soaring, thank you for your bottomless pit of helpful info. I will continue to refer to this forum for info and hopefully offer what little knowledge I have on Mustangs..........Steve

[Soaring]

We all have our opinions on this forum, and mine is no exception.  I don't care if it is a GT 350 or a common coupe like mine.  I think that all classic mustangs should stay as close to factory correct as is possible.  Just because I have a different opion than yours doesn't make me the bad guy. 

[Tim175]

Ask anyone i know. I am the same way, but there is a difference between stock and some modernizing necessities. Such as the safety aspect as well as effificiency aspect. Brakes, steering, electronics, etc need to be updated and that's where i draw the line. For example, on my mach 1, the interior is 100% bone stock, no added gauges, no fancy dash, no new steering wheel nothing. Paint and body are no exception, but i do have a new brake system, new steering system, all new wiring/electronics etc. That is as far as i go on "modding" a classic. And yes you are correct, to each his own. We all have our opinions.

[Soaring]

I agree Tim.  I put in a 4 row radiator, and a two bowl master cylinder.  One was to help the old 289 run cooler, and the other was for safety reasons.  I also added the monte carlo bar and the export brace.  Those types of mods I can understand.  They are for safety reasons, but to completely gut a classic and make a bastard out of it, I cannot understand.  And Scupples, I see you are a new member on here, and this comment is uncalled for on this forum.  "Soaring, thank you for your bottomless pit of helpful info."  Anymore demeaning comments from you will get you banned from this forum.

Soaring
Global moderator

[Tim175]

Oh yeah, brakes are definitely something you don't want to mess around with.

[6mustang6]

Glen, I really dont think he meant that statement as anything harsh. he was thanking you for the info you bring to the forum.

[scupples]

I meant that comment as a complement.  No way did I mean anything other than that.  Gosh, how in the world did you construe that to be  anything but.  I thought I was being nice. To me a bottomless pit of info is an unending source of help. Maybe I should have said well instead of pit. I certainly did not mean to stir up such a hip hurah.  I merely asked if anyone had any advise on lowering the Mustang.  I did not at anytime suggest gutting or destroying the car.  Whether to modify or not is a matter of opinion and I respect everybody's thoughts on that. As I stated earlier I have done it both ways, stock and mod.  I thought this forum was a way for enthusiast to offer and exchange info and ideas and not to berate someone because they had a different opinion.  Yes, I am new to this forum but not new to the world of restoration and building of special autos.  I have done it as a hobbyist and professionally as a shop owner.  Now that I have retired I thought I would concentrate on Mustangs as they are plentiful and inexpensive as well as being an American icon.  So I apoligize to anyone that I inadvertinally offended.......Steve

[ouch1]

Here is a set of 4 1/2 leaf reversed eye leaf springs that will lower your car 1.5 inches:
http://www.mustangsplus.com/xcart/product.php?productid=1015&cat=2124&page=1

-ouch1

[6mustang6]

dont worry about it steve. Please stay here and offer your knowledge here with the rest of us.

[Soaring]

I meant that comment as a complement.  No way did I mean anything other than that.  Gosh, how in the world did you construe that to be  anything but.  I thought I was being nice. To me a bottomless pit of info is an unending source of help. Maybe I should have said well instead of pit. I certainly did not mean to stir up such a hip hurah.  I merely asked if anyone had any advise on lowering the Mustang.  I did not at anytime suggest gutting or destroying the car.  Whether to modify or not is a matter of opinion and I respect everybody's thoughts on that. As I stated earlier I have done it both ways, stock and mod.  I thought this forum was a way for enthusiast to offer and exchange info and ideas and not to berate someone because they had a different opinion.  Yes, I am new to this forum but not new to the world of restoration and building of special autos.  I have done it as a hobbyist and professionally as a shop owner.  Now that I have retired I thought I would concentrate on Mustangs as they are plentiful and inexpensive as well as being an American icon.  So I apoligize to anyone that I inadvertinally offended.......Steve

  I apologize Steve.  I did take it the wrong way.  I'm sorry, and please accept my apology.