Muscle Car TV - Mustang front suspension?

[wiedemab]

I was just sitting here watching Muscle Car TV. They are putting a Heidts front suspension under a '65 fastback Mustang. My question is that Lou the host said that they are going to run a BellTech 2" drop S-10 spindle.

If this is the case, I'm fairly positive that the Mustang II R&P would not work (or work very well) with this setup. Is someone selling this as a kit with a custom R&P or did they make a mistake when saying this. The spindles didn't look like Mustang II though.

Just curious, because I've never heard of this. I've seen the kits that use S-10 brakes on MII spindles with granada rotors.

Later,

Brandon

[Cyclone]

Brandon,


They were using S10 drop-spindles, but I'm not exactly sure if the Mustang II rack will bolt right up w/o different outer tie rod ends.

Take a look at the link: http://www.truckstv.com/sites/musclecar/episodes/MC.php?ep_num=MC2006-21&ep_m=December

You can get killer deal on S10 spindles out there.....


And the fabricated Mustang II front crossmember can be had alot cheaper here:

http://www.welderseries.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=22_25


Here is a technical article on the kit shown above:

http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/techarticles/0610rc_crossmember_installation/

[wiedemab]

I've never measured, but I'm pretty certain that the steering arm position and spindle dimensions are different for an S-10 and a Mustang II. This will have some effects on the suspension geometry. I can't speak as to whether they would be desireable changes or not, but if they were an easy swap for better geometry, I would have thought that it would be more widely known.

I'll be interested to see if they mention the details about this on the show.

[bret]

Speaking from personal experience...accurate and complete technical information is sometimes left on the Musclecar TV cutting room floor. Double check your information before spending time and/or money.
I didn't see the specific episode you are referring to, but if Lou said that a Heidt's MII suspension uses an S10 dropped spindle...he is simply wrong.
This is the same guy who installed a set of our 7000 series ShockWaves into that Mustang after I told him very specifically that particular style of ShockWave would not hold the car up. Even after I sent him the appropriate set of ShockWaves [before they filmed the show] he installed the wrong one's anyhow. I am still in therapy over that one.

[ScotI]

I noticed the small Shockwaves being installed on the front & questioned the logic. I just figured there were some details that had yet to be explained or that they didn't have the fronts @ the time of filming & figured the rears would work as far as explaining/filming installation.

[wiedemab]

I was also wondering about the shockwaves for the front. The spindles that he put on the car during the mock-up stage were S-10 spindles. I'm not sure that the deal was.

I hate to assume that someone doesn't know what they are talking about or doing, so I try to assume that they know something I don't. The S-10 steering arm looks alot longer than the MII. Either he is having a custom rack made and has modified the Mustang II suspension points or I'd say he's going to end up with some less than desireable handling characteristics.

Off topic, but -----
BTW - Bret, I just picked up your CoolRide setup for the front and rear of my '89 Mustang. I'm going to start saving for some good Billstein double adjustables, so next year I'll be ridin' on air at RTH and some of the other events. I'll have to pick up some tips from your gang on the fine tuning aspects!

Later,

Brandon

[bret]

The other side of the story is that Lou [and all of the TV host guys] are beyond busy trying to get these shows done. It is definately NOT the glory road that many of us think it is. The bottom line is that no matter what it has to be accurate...or at least "not wrong".

Good deal on the Mustang CoolRide system Brandon...anytime you get together with any of us we'll help all we can. On the struts...In addition ot the Bilsteins I have heard goo things about the Tokico D Spec units, although I have not used them yet. We have a set of non-adjustable Bilsteins on our 05 at the moment. I love them. The only reason I may change is to simply try out another strut to see if there is something even better.

[wiedemab]

I'm sure that it isn't as nice as everyone thinks to host a show like that. My intention wasn't to bring the show or any individuals credibility into question. I was just curious. I'm sure they will clear it up at some point in time during the build.

I also looked at the Tokico shocks. It will depend on budget. I think I would like to be able to adjust compression and rebound independently At least in theory. It may end up just being something that I will continually tinker with, but I guess that's not all bad.


Later,

Brandon