Ridetech SA/LA Foxbody Mustang Front Suspension

[ProTouring442]

I was looking at the Ridetech Short Arm/Long Arm front suspension set up and noticed how short the upper arm is. It seems to me this should cause some pretty aggressive camber changes. Has anyone used the system? Thoughts?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2023/08/ridetechupdatesfoxbodyresumewithnewsuspe-1.jpg

Thanks!
Bill

[CSG]

Super short shock too. All the other SLA FOX systems have a much larger stroke.

[rickpaw]

I was excited, until I saw the $3k plus price tag.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Super short shock too. All the other SLA FOX systems have a much larger stroke.
Short shock, yes. But it's all about the motion ratio. We still have plenty of wheel travel availalbe. The cars ride and handle unlike any other Fox body I've ever been in.

I was excited, until I saw the $3k plus price tag.
A little expensive but it's fairly pricey to manufacture. It's pretty competitively priced with other SLA kits out there. There's alot that goes into this setup.

[rickpaw]

Short shock, yes. But it's all about the motion ratio. We still have plenty of wheel travel availalbe. The cars ride and handle unlike any other Fox body I've ever been in.

A little expensive but it's fairly pricey to manufacture. It's pretty competitively priced with other SLA kits out there. There's alot that goes into this setup.

Josh,

I'm not questioning the cost - no doubt there is a lot involved. It's just out of my price range at the moment. Guess I just stick with the stock type set up for now.

[CSG]

Josh,

Would you care to list some geometry numbers?
Track Width?
Roll Center height & at what ride height?
Camber curve?
Ackerman?
Castor range?
Anti Dive percentage?
Wheel travel?

[Josh@Ridetech]

Josh,

Would you care to list some geometry numbers?
Track Width?
Roll Center height & at what ride height?
Camber curve?
Ackerman?
Castor range?
Anti Dive percentage?
Wheel travel?

Hey! Here you go:

Track width matches fox width within about 1/8”. (Similar to fitment of 94/95 spindles)
Roll center is about 2.0” at a ride height of 1.5”- 2” lower than stock.
Camber gain is about 1.3 degrees negative per inch of compression.
Ackerman is about 30%
Caster is designed around 8 degrees
Anti dive is similar to stock at about 30%
Wheel travel is about 5.5” total

[Josh@Ridetech]

Josh,

I'm not questioning the cost - no doubt there is a lot involved. It's just out of my price range at the moment. Guess I just stick with the stock type set up for now.

I totally understand! Just let me know if I can ever help out!

[CSG]

Hey! Here you go:

Track width matches fox width within about 1/8”. (Similar to fitment of 94/95 spindles)
Roll center is about 2.0” at a ride height of 1.5”- 2” lower than stock.
Camber gain is about 1.3 degrees negative per inch of compression.
Ackerman is about 30%
Caster is designed around 8 degrees
Anti dive is similar to stock at about 30%
Wheel travel is about 5.5” total

Thanks.
What about max tire size? I would think you may could squeeze a bit more up there than normal because the spring being in the way is typically a limiting factor.

[stab6902]

Hey! Here you go:

Track width matches fox width within about 1/8”. (Similar to fitment of 94/95 spindles)
Roll center is about 2.0” at a ride height of 1.5”- 2” lower than stock.
Camber gain is about 1.3 degrees negative per inch of compression.
Ackerman is about 30%
Caster is designed around 8 degrees
Anti dive is similar to stock at about 30%
Wheel travel is about 5.5” total

Thank you sharing real information rather than the usual high-level marketing fluff. Respect.

I think you guys did a nice job given the constraints of the platform.

[CSG]

Still interested in tire size as asked above but also wondering what the plans are for the rear? Torque Arm market is saturated. I would like to see a version of the old EVM 3 Link or even the original (not phase 2) of the Steeda 5 link. I've pretty much ran it all and the 3 link was a nice setup that packaged pretty well and still allowed tail pipes. The original 5 link setup does not allow tail pipes. The TA works great except for a bit of brake hop.

I've run MM, Griggs, etc. front setups along with a Bart's Works SLA. Have not tried the Griggs SLA but have been eyeing it for my current coupe. The ridetech one will now be an option as well.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Still interested in tire size as asked above but also wondering what the plans are for the rear? Torque Arm market is saturated. I would like to see a version of the old EVM 3 Link or even the original (not phase 2) of the Steeda 5 link. I've pretty much ran it all and the 3 link was a nice setup that packaged pretty well and still allowed tail pipes. The original 5 link setup does not allow tail pipes. The TA works great except for a bit of brake hop.

I've run MM, Griggs, etc. front setups along with a Bart's Works SLA. Have not tried the Griggs SLA but have been eyeing it for my current coupe. The ridetech one will now be an option as well.

Our test car currently has 255/35-18's tucking in the fender, it's super low right now. We've had 275's on the front with zero issues as well (we just didn't have it set up quite as low then).

It's not a real big secret now that we've had our race build out at a few shows as a little bit of a teaser so I can post this now I suppose. I can't give all the details but the rear is a full tubular/very stout IRS that is the proper width for a Fox and has geometry that makes an 03/04 Cobra IRS feel like you're driving a dump truck. As far as tail pipes go on this one, we're using an off the shelf Cobra catback. There will be alot more released on this in the next month or two :cheers:.

[dontlifttoshift]

How adaptable do you think that IRS might be?

[CSG]

Our test car currently has 255/35-18's tucking in the fender, it's super low right now. We've had 275's on the front with zero issues as well (we just didn't have it set up quite as low then).

It's not a real big secret now that we've had our race build out at a few shows as a little bit of a teaser so I can post this now I suppose. I can't give all the details but the rear is a full tubular/very stout IRS that is the proper width for a Fox and has geometry that makes an 03/04 Cobra IRS feel like you're driving a dump truck. As far as tail pipes go on this one, we're using an off the shelf Cobra catback. There will be alot more released on this in the next month or two :cheers:.

I'll be interested in seeing more of it. I've never been a fan of the factory Cobra IRS in a fox. It just does not work well enough for the work and the funny looking wheels you have to run to get them inside the fenders.

[Josh@Ridetech]

I'll be interested in seeing more of it. I've never been a fan of the factory Cobra IRS in a fox. It just does not work well enough for the work and the funny looking wheels you have to run to get them inside the fenders.

Agreed, I hate the way they look when guys put them in foxes. If you look at the silver car we keep posting pictures/videos of is a complete IRS and it tucks the tires properly. We've had custom length fox axles built (and many more parts to make it fit the way it should). It's amazing to drive.

[Josh@Ridetech]

How adaptable do you think that IRS might be?

As far as putting it on other cars, that's a negative. This one is very specific to the fox. We're using this one to gauge what other ones we might build. But even an SN95 car will have to have it's own kit built.

[dontlifttoshift]

More IRS pictures please. What is the hub to hub width?

[CSG]

If Josh doesn't want to post the pics yet I have a couple on my phone I can text you.

[CSG]

I have a super clean notch that I have had sitting in my air conditioned shop for 25 years. I had the foresight to buy a bunch of NOS parts for it back when they were avaliable. I think I am too far down my straight axle path to do this IRS but I am considering the SLA. I would love to have a 275 up front with a good turning radius.

[dontlifttoshift]

This is all could find, I really wanted to see how the front mounted. If I can swap the spindles to their GM style and run Corvette hubs......


210216

210217

[CSG]

Looks to me like it attaches to the insides of the lower torque boxes and then the frame rails up top. I can grab those dimensions off my car if you like

Edit. can't do the upper measurement as the rails aren't parrallel and we don't know exactly where that upper sits

[dontlifttoshift]

I'll make it fit either way but I appreciate the offer.

[dhutton]

I'll make it fit either way but I appreciate the offer.
Curious what you are installing it in. :)

Don

[dontlifttoshift]

^^^ That thing. I'll explain.

I want an OS Giken diff. They don't make one for a 12 bolt and I really don't want a 9" so I bought a s197 8.8 and was going to build a three link while I am mini tubbing and swapping out subframes as I try to package 12" wheels under the car, square and then I hear about this and the part of my brain that hates my wallet said "that's a good idea" There are other options and I have looked at them all but none of them are inexpensive and they all appear to be relatively complicated installs.

This is $4,500....we'll say 5,500 with the ARB and coil overs. Take out diffs are 600, new ones are 1200. I think I can piece the axles together for another 1200........$8K for an IRS sounds like a pretty good deal.

Other stuff I like. Differential housing that uses OE gears, with lots of options for ratios, completely mounted in rubber bushings. Already set up for a CV joint on the driveshaft. Ride quality and NVH should both improve.

It may have to wait until next winter when I do the engine/trans swap but I am definitely interested.

[dhutton]

^^^ That thing. I'll explain.

I want an OS Giken diff. They don't make one for a 12 bolt and I really don't want a 9" so I bought a s197 8.8 and was going to build a three link while I am mini tubbing and swapping out subframes as I try to package 12" wheels under the car, square and then I hear about this and the part of my brain that hates my wallet said "that's a good idea" There are other options and I have looked at them all but none of them are inexpensive and they all appear to be relatively complicated installs.

This is $4,500....we'll say 5,500 with the ARB and coil overs. Take out diffs are 600, new ones are 1200. I think I can piece the axles together for another 1200........$8K for an IRS sounds like a pretty good deal.

Other stuff I like. Differential housing that uses OE gears, with lots of options for ratios, completely mounted in rubber bushings. Already set up for a CV joint on the driveshaft. Ride quality and NVH should both improve.

It may have to wait until next winter when I do the engine/trans swap but I am definitely interested.
Would like to be a fly on the wall watching you do that… :)

Don

[Josh@Ridetech]

^^^ That thing. I'll explain.

I want an OS Giken diff. They don't make one for a 12 bolt and I really don't want a 9" so I bought a s197 8.8 and was going to build a three link while I am mini tubbing and swapping out subframes as I try to package 12" wheels under the car, square and then I hear about this and the part of my brain that hates my wallet said "that's a good idea" There are other options and I have looked at them all but none of them are inexpensive and they all appear to be relatively complicated installs.

This is $4,500....we'll say 5,500 with the ARB and coil overs. Take out diffs are 600, new ones are 1200. I think I can piece the axles together for another 1200........$8K for an IRS sounds like a pretty good deal.

Other stuff I like. Differential housing that uses OE gears, with lots of options for ratios, completely mounted in rubber bushings. Already set up for a CV joint on the driveshaft. Ride quality and NVH should both improve.

It may have to wait until next winter when I do the engine/trans swap but I am definitely interested.

The test cars are insane to say the least... I'm more than impressed with this setup. I'll get some more pictures and post up for you guys. I've just had to be quiet about this one up until now...but the cat's out of the bag now :D.