1966 mustang coupe build thread

[ahodgy91]

im new to the forum just wanted to introduce my self and my project. im 22 from Maryland. I work 70+ hours a week so progress will be slow so bare with me lol I got my 1966 mustang coupe a few months ago and just got started working on it a few weeks ago.
Plans:
mini tub
back half the subframe to fit 10" wide wheels and 275s
narrowed 9"
caltrac mono leaf street/strip rear suspension
up front
k member
tubular control arms
coil overs
all the paint and body work fun

Engine is going to be a Ls1 and a 4l80e trans to go behind it

[ahodgy91]

So far i have the wheel wells cut out and ready to start cutting out the sub frame. i will throw up some pic once i figure out how to lol its not the same as vmf

[tflyboy77]

I can't wait to see the progress. Post up some pics when you get time.

[ahodgy91]

how do u post pic?

[Mach1_Ron]

how do u post pic?


Check this out...

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/26620-OFFICIAL-HOW-TO-POST-PICTURES-using-PHOTOBUCKET-Thread!

[baggins]

Aje k member?

[ahodgy91]

yes

[baggins]

That's what I used for my swap still not driving it though. Definitely opens up some room though.

[ahodgy91]

Yea I was told that you eather can run the age km ember or you can use mustang 2 front suspension and have enough room to cram the ls in there

[ahodgy91]

made some progress today. got the t5 pulled and the engine is ready to come out. Gunna get that pulled out one evening this week. then to start the back halfing

[ahodgy91]

These r some pic of the car when I got it and some of the progress I have made.

[rotted66]

relocating the leaf springs?

[tflyboy77]

Awesome. I've got huge respect for driveway restorations. No roof over your head makes for long days.

[ahodgy91]

Yes I will have 2. Hopefully I will be able to go straight in line with the frame once I have built the streight sub frame

[ahodgy91]

Tflyboy77 it's a car port so there's a roof lol its temp. Wile the new house is being built

[groho]

I own a 66 coupe, and my suggestion is to get your rear subframe completed and in place, add the inner tubs, then fix those quarters. Those look ugly! Good luck, enjoy, have fun. Always buy good sheet metal, the heavier, the better, remember you get what you pay for. It makes for a better weld and mating.

[Gil]

Very nice !
97996
Keep plugging away !
Gil

[ahodgy91]

Groho do u have a recommendation on what quaters are good? I was going to go with the ones from cj pony parts but if u know of something better I'm all ears... that's the plan to get the subframe and all the suspension done then start on the body work

[groho]

There's two approaches, replace the entire quarter, or cut and section the quarter. The latter requires more bondo and body work, but is less effort overall. CJ's will take care of you. The lower cost panels are 20 gauge, where the factory panels are closer to 18. The thinner panel is easier to shape, cut, tac, but the higher cost 18g panels result in a nicer welds and fit, but harder to shape cuz they are thicker. The thinner panels have a tendency to heat up faster, so you have to be careful of blow-thru and warping. If you don't have a welder, look for divorce sales on Craigslist, a good used 140 Miller or Lincoln are some of the best all around welders for garage folks like us.

[ahodgy91]

Im doing full quarters I was jw is there was a better brand then what is sold at cj pony parts. I have a welder and I have a lot of experience in sheet metal welding and fabrication. I worked in a body shop since 16 and I went to Wyotech for the Auto body and collision refinishing program and I also took street rod and custom fabrication. Now Ive been working for a crane company for 4 years and I run the paint and body shop. a lot of the body panels on the crane require ordering from over seas and boss man cant have his equipment down for that long so I end up fabing up new panels. I also drive a tractor trailer and run a crane when they need a extra hand. We have had some truck drivers quitting recently and work is crazy busy so ive been on the road. that's why no work has been getting done on the mustang lol

[ahodgy91]

Made alittle progress last night. I was happy to see there's not much rust... Also found my wheels, they should be be here mid next week

[ahodgy91]

Made some more progress today. Got the frame cut out and one of the rails mocked up

[Red67Mustang]

Please replace those CMU (aka 'cinder blocks') with something solid before the blocks break and you drop the car.... As shown in the pictures you're putting load on the blocks in their weakest points. Just don't want anyone getting hurt.

[Z06killinSBF]

You went all in, thats for sure!

[ahodgy91]

There is no weight on them they r there as more or less a safety. The stands holding the car up have solid wood under them

[ahodgy91]

All or nothing lol thanks for the help z06killinsbf

[Z06killinSBF]

Your rails look a little different than mine, what are you using?

[DrFraZZy]

Glad to see other young Maryland-er with a mustang doing good job! I have seen this mustang for sale before it was sold to you.

Subscribing to see what you have up in your sleeve. I am from Frederick MD.

I am going to be starting on a 1968 cougar xr7 J code in between with my modular 89 fox body swap. Lets see how far it gets me.

[ahodgy91]

Awesome! Small world I'm in mt airy md

[ahodgy91]

I was using 2x3 120 wall but I was not very happy with how it was working so I stopped and got 1.5x3 120 wall. It worked perfect slid right into the original frame rail. I got both of the frail rails built. Just have to box them in and they will be ready to be installed

[ahodgy91]

Frame rails finished, boxed in and the round pipe for the leaf spring bushings welded in. They are ready to be installed

[Z06killinSBF]

Looks great!

[ahodgy91]

Thankyou sir

[DrFraZZy]

Any update? I am looking forward to seeing this finished and around the town!

[ahodgy91]

Not much to update. I welded the frame rails in place just have to get a few min to make up some fish plates and weld in the cross brace that goes between the frame rails. Also I'm still waiting on the wheels from weld racing

[Camberdually]

Did you have to narrow the frame for the 275? Or if could you got by with just tubbing to the frame? I'm looking at a 285/295 and thought there was enough room. Project looks great Thank you

[lucky13firebird]

nice, thats gonna stick

[ahodgy91]

Frame is 90% done. Have to make a few more gussets and 2 more fish plates and it will be done. I picked up a 5.3 out of a truck today also. To good of a deal to pass up

[ahodgy91]

Camberdually....There has been a lot of ppl who run 275s with out narrowing but I Don't see how. They were touching the frame rail and quarter panel on my car. They make a frame notch kit that you spot weld in but I'm not a fan of it.

[DrFraZZy]

Are you sticking with ls1? I am abandoning my 4v modular swap project to focus on my two projects. Having three projects is too much and too much money for me to upkeep.

Any chance you would be interested in my 4v 4.6? I can cut you a deal.

4.6 dohc block from mark 8
98 cobra head
98 cobra cams
98 cobra intake
tr3650 out of 01 cobra
new 11" flywheel
stock 2001 cobra clutch
1995 cobra rearend with 3.55 with 12" cobra disc
mark 8 electric fan
a/c ford racing delete kit
01 cobra fuel rails
01 cobra injectors

i also have a Ron Francis wiring kit

[ahodgy91]

I already have my ls thankyou tho