Help: What is the best handling street front suspension for a '67 Mustang

[Wesley J]

Hi All,

I finally put the wife's '96 Cavalier (my commuter) to rest and picked myself up a '67 Mustang Coupe as a replacement.

Well, the first thing on my list of upgrades is the handling, starting with the front end. I've been reading and cant seem to find anyone with real experience with the current kits out there. The search function here is poor at best and I havent yet seen a thread with a descriptive title.

So, I'm hoping someone can point me in the direction of a thread with this info or share their experiences. I'm looking for an aftermarket system that works well for mostly road use and the occasional track day. It has to be able to deal with tough weather as this will be my daily driver. I'd prefer something that requires the least amount of effort as my primary project is my truck.

Lowering the car is also important to me.

I have a well equipped shop (mig, tig, lathe, mill etc) but would rather bolt it in on a weekend and drive it to work on Monday.

Thanks in advance,

Wes

[Bryce]

The one I designed. HAHA. Check out the protouring 65 falcon thread.

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58842

[MonzaRacer]

Actually give Bret a shout over at Ridetech.com, you should see his 67 run through the autocross/

[ProdigyCustoms]

Total Control products makes some killer stuff, and Air Ride as mentioned.

We sell both if you need a deal

[Bryce]

Hey frank Im going to call you today about the brakes for the 14" wheel on my mustang.

How about you sell a prodigy front suspension? I will design one for ya. HAHA.

TCP is good, with money Griggs is also an option.

[Wesley J]

Total Control products makes some killer stuff, and Air Ride as mentioned.

We sell both if you need a deal

So Frank, what would be your preference for a car primarily intended for the street?

I'm going to stay away from an air system mostly due to the fact that this car will see some winter use.

Wes

[The GMR]

We have a few items in the works right now.

Street performance- Bolt in Upright with new lower front control arm for adjustment.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


Race- Full coil over system that is a true A-Arm setup with rack and completely ground up designed suspension geometry. Here is a link to a build going on that will get a version of this kit.

http://www.thegmr.com/musclesuspension.html

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https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

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Rear- Bolt in Fiberglass Spring 9" kits.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


Jason

[Wesley J]

I like the looks of the Global West setup as they use bushings rather than the heims that the others use. I'm guessing it'll be less accurate but better suited to a daily driver.

Does anyone have any experience with this kit:

http://www.globalwest.net/Mustang_1967-70_coilover_suspension_kits.htm

Wes

[Wesley J]

Hey Jason,

The workmanship displayed in your parts looks top notch!

I've read a lot that the "frame rails" of the mustang are not suited to MII and that the forces from the upper control arm mounts need to be passed into the unibody structure. How do you adress that with the system above?

I guess I should also mention that I'm trying to adhere to a $3k limit on the parts.

Wes

[Wesley J]

Anyone here using the Fatman system or have any direct experience with it. It seems to be the most economical system for a full swap at somewhere around $3500 including steering.

http://www.fatmanfab.com/catalogpage.php?page=37

Wes

[Merlin]

Try Mike @ http://www.maierracing.com/

Cliff
'70 Chevelle

[ProdigyCustoms]

So Frank, what would be your preference for a car primarily intended for the street?

I'm going to stay away from an air system mostly due to the fact that this car will see some winter use.

Wes

I would do the TCP if I was not doing air, but budgeteryconstraints of $3000 are going to prevent you from using TCP stuff.

I am ashamed to say I do not know what the next step down is.

[latamud]

Check out ORP www.opentrackerracingproducts.com (https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/www.opentrackerracingproducts.com). John Dinkel does vintage racing suspension but will build a street kit for you. If you tell him your intentions for your car he won't try to upsell you anything.

How low do you want to go? I cut the front coils and rebuild my leaf springs to get these results.
http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/544275-lowering-rear-car-w-o-blocks-long.html

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[The GMR]

Hey Jason,

The workmanship displayed in your parts looks top notch!

I've read a lot that the "frame rails" of the mustang are not suited to MII and that the forces from the upper control arm mounts need to be passed into the unibody structure. How do you adress that with the system above?

I guess I should also mention that I'm trying to adhere to a $3k limit on the parts.

Wes


Thanks,

The setup we have is not a MII setup, it is completely redesigned from scratch. The shock towers will have plating on them that close off the engine bay and will provide support. The car we have is getting a cage setup that will incorporate the front shock towers along with more plating into the uni-body structure.

If you are going for the under 3K range then our performance upright kit will be well in your ballpark with bolt in replacement coil-overs. Several geometry aspects of the stock suspension were corrected along with an upgrade to the larger bearings from the early 70's mustang front spindle. That kit was on the car mentioned above before we decided to tear it apart. I will re-release it real soon.

Jason

[kmcanally]

I like the looks of the Global West setup as they use bushings rather than the heims that the others use. I'm guessing it'll be less accurate but better suited to a daily driver.

Does anyone have any experience with this kit:

http://www.globalwest.net/Mustang_1967-70_coilover_suspension_kits.htm

Wes

I can not speak about that specific suspension kit but I can vouch for GW stuff...the suspension on my Mustang is all GW

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/03/IMG_1301-1.jpg

[Wesley J]

I can not speak about that specific suspension kit but I can vouch for GW stuff...the suspension on my Mustang is all GW

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/03/IMG_1301-1.jpg

Wow! Your car is almost exactly what I have planned. The wheel/tire combo is perfect. Can you give me all of the details on sizes, backset etc?

Beautiful car!

[Wesley J]

Found it!

The fronts are 18x8 with 5.17" backspacing and the rears are 18x9 with 5.94" of backspacing.

[Bryce]

brakes will make a difference in the required BS.

[Wesley J]

brakes will make a difference in the required BS.

Ya, thanks for the info.

I've spent some time costing out the different systems out there and have come to a conclusion as to which system I'm going to use.

When including steering, it seems the cheapest system out there would cost me around the $4500-5000 mark with the exception of the FatMan strut IFS kit. That kit will end up costing me about $2300 for the Fatman stuff and about another $500-600 for the accociated parts (spindles, brakes, rack and struts) some of which I've already picked up here in town.

So, it looks like I'll be posting a build thread of the FatMan kit here in the next few weeks.

Thanks for all of your feedback guys!

Wes

[Lowend]

The big 3
http://www.maierracing.com/
www.globalwest.net
http://www.totalcontrolproducts.com/

[Bryce]

Struts are not the best for handling. I would rather do the shelby/arning drop and some roller bearing conversions for UCA and LCA and a bolt in coilover like the one i designed.
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63486

[Wesley J]

Hey Bryce.

That may be the case but I'm definitely looking for a bolt in solution. I have enough other projects on the go and my shop is pretty much full. I want this car to be a driver and soon. Plus, I'll be completely happy with a car that handles like a '04 Mustang.

I'm a fellow Engineer and I find that if I start creating my own solution, I never seem to know when to stop... Hence the fabbing of my '70 F-100 chassis from scratch.... I need to get that thing off the frame table sooner rather than later and adding the Mustang to the project will just delay that.

Again, thanks for the info.

Wes

[6'9"Witha69]

I have exp with Maier and GW. Both install well and yield great results. No 67+ exp with GW, but as for the overall rpoduct, I went to them for my Camaro as well.

[Restomod]

I will sell you my Heidts front and rear if you want it.................well within your $ range!

[Wesley J]

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