Topic: Suspension

[bhorrocks]

Hi all,
 I was thinking of rebuilding my Front end on my car over the winter. Now I want to have a little better performance out of her. my 65 conv is stock. Now if I ordered all new coils shocks, upper and lower arms ball joints and all new bushings is it just unbolt and bolt in the new parts or do I need special equipment to due it. I am sure most of my suspension is from day one. Needs some advice. I saw some complete new performance shock coil assmeblys but dont want to pay to much, also was thinking that they would need lots of modifications to install. Please let me know your thoughts. 45 year old suspension is not that nice to drive.

[Soaring]

If, after reviewing the information in the FAQ section at the top of the classic section for  information regarding this upgrade, and you still have questions, get back. 

[bhorrocks]

Hi Glen,
 I dont really want to modify the suspension but thought of buying all new parts. Control arms,up and down, new springs, shocks and leaf springs. Maybe some heavy duty ones. Also going to put a 1" sway bar on the front end. One of my buddys said that would due wonders. Whats your thoughts?

[Soaring]

If you are going back with stock parts, it will be just an unbolt the old and bolt on the new.  The sway bar (actually an anti-sway) bar upgrade to a `1" is a good idea.  When you take off those coil springs be especially careful.  Those things can kill you.  Read up on which spring compressor to use and how to use it.  In the rear, you are going to have to decide which leaf springs to get.  I went with the standard eye like what was the original, and mine sits great and performs fine.  I went with KYB gas adjust shocks on all four corners and love the ride.  A little stiffer than original, but makes for great handling. 

[bhorrocks]

Great. Thanks for the tips. I may get the springs replaced from someone. I dont know if I want to handle that myself. I was looking at the same shocks KG4517 and KG5517.

Thank you

[Soaring]

KYB makes an assortment of shocks.  The GR-2 Excel-G is their cheapest shock that will return your car to original handling.  What you want to put on the Mustang is the Gas-A-Just.  It is a white shock.  Anything above that is just too stiff. 

[Jeff1967]

I just re-did my 67' vert, ordered new leafs (not re-arced) put KYB Gas-a -just shocks all the way around. I did not mess with the front coils because although original the car upfront still sat at factory height, The rear end on the other hand had approx. a 3" sag. The new springs brought her up a full 2" and the shocks alone raised her another 1". After that I put a new set of Mag 500 wheels and new set of T/A radials 225/60/15's. I am telling you she handles like a dream, you can put her into a corner and she holds like glue.

Here is my first posted picture of "Sally". a true diamond in the ruff, still have lots to do on her but all good stuff!!

JJ

[Jeff1967]

Forgot to attach Sally....

JJ

[bhorrocks]

Thanks Jeff,
 Great to hear. I am going to order all the parts and do it over the winter. I am not going to attempt to change the springs in the front my self but I going to order a new set with a 1" drop. The leafs I will replace with a performance one so I will hug the corners.


Thank you

[Jeff1967]

Hey,

That is one sweet red ride !!

JJ

[Soaring]

Forgot to attach Sally....

JJ

That's the stance you want for an original  stock Mustang.  Kids tend to want to lowere them. 

[Jeff1967]

Kids want to lower them, put huge wheels w/ spinners etc. that take away from the classic design. After talking to Larry's Mustang in California today about a part, I was informed classics are being gobbled up and shipped to Australia and New Zealand in record numbers and are starting to get harder to find. I am happy I was able to find a good survivor to hold on to.

JJ

[Soaring]

Thanks Jeff,
 Great to hear. I am going to order all the parts and do it over the winter. I am not going to attempt to change the springs in the front my self but I going to order a new set with a 1" drop. The leafs I will replace with a performance one so I will hug the corners.


Thank you

Yes, that is a nice looking convertible.  The rear leaf springs come in basically three types.  The Standard eye, the Mid-eye and the Reverse eye versions.  Neither of which are performance leaf springs.   They just make your Mustang ride higher or lower in the rear.  If you want no traction, keep adding to the standard eye.  You will get that doodle bug look, but will have shit for traction.  You can add an extra spring  (5) that will jolt the teeth out of your head if you hit a bump, but that is not a performance spring either. If you want to get into performance springs you need to go with independent suspension applications or aftermarket stabilizers, and  that equals big bucks. 
Here is a picture of a Watt's rear suspension addition that will stabilize your rear end for any serious competition.  Otherwise, just leave that puppy standard and enjoy the ride. 

[Jeff1967]

My two cents: Go with new correct spec. leafs for that year car and body type not re-arced springs. Your car (with new shocks) will raise back up to the correct stance and handle just fine, that is, unless your plans are to road race. If so, you need hi-pro springs if not, you will be pleased how well the car feels coming in and out of corners. My leafs were purchased at Oregon Auto Spring where I was able to pick them up to save freight they ran just at $200.00 for the pair including bushings. I have to admit the KYB's are a little stiffer than I wanted but all in all still a comfortable ride

JJ

[Soaring]

Yeah, with my 65, I replaced the leaves with standard eye and KyB shocks and I can take a posted 40 MPH curve at 60+ without a problem.  I just slow down approaching the curve and punch it in the middle of the curve.  That is how most of us enjoy driving our  classic pony Mustangs.  Sunday afternoon drives which is just what your vert was designed for.  Not on  a roundy round track belching fire from a 500 hp deamon.   

[bhorrocks]

Thanks guys,
 I am going to just buy new leaf springs and shocks. I found those shocks on a webiste for 165 for all four with delievery. Here in Canada I can buy the set for 285 canadian. So I am just waiting to see if our Canada buck will pass your dollar.

Thanks

[Soaring]

The large front bolt on the leaf springs is most of the time frozen and can only be taken out by cutting it off.  There is a sleeve that the bolt goes through that rusts to the bolt and the eye of the spring, and it will not budge no matter how much persuasion you give it.  I cut mine out with a riciprocal (sawzall) saw, while others have used air wheels to cut off the spring then cut off the bolt.  Either way, it has to be cut off, and it is a nasty and labor intensive orderal.