New to PT - need your input and a clue!

[atomicbluevoodoo]

Hey folks, I'm new to the whole pro touring thing. I have a 68 Mustang coupe that is about to be stripped.

I need direction for suspension...

My plan is to drive the car for fun, no hard core race events, but a weekend at the track is not out of the question. I'm interested in quality and doing things right, but I don't don't have buckets, and buckets of cash.

I will also admit that I'm in search of a "look" as well. Fat tires and the in the weeds look is what I'm going for.

I'm familiar with the products on the market...but I'm not sure about bang for buck or what's appropriate.

Rack and pinion...is it worth it? Coil overs up front? Airbags???
4 link out back? or leaf upgrade from Global West or the like?

Thanks folks - I will begin posting pics in the coming days.

[JRouche]

Hey Vodoo. Welcome to PT!! You may not get alot of responses due to it being your first post and so many open questions. But I have nuthing but time so Ill burn a lil here. Sounds like you are getting ready to jump into the project big time now.

Ill be honest. You are into spending some buckets of money. With some of the mods you would like to do.

I started with a clean car a few years ago. And was willing to do ALOT of work myself. For what you are talking about, all of your plug in stuff. In the weeds, air ride, wide tires, four link, RnP steering, fun car to drive and so on..... Those are all the things I wanted also. It cost me about 15 grand for that, and Im not done. But its pretty close.

But really, thats on the inexpensive side. It goes up from there. I did most stuff on the short side of cost. If you use the "good" parts, not even the best it can add another 4-6 grand. I built mine on a slim budget. You want a wheel to wheel setup with high quality parts expect that to run into the 15 to 20 grand number. Sound crazy? Its not. I have receipts for all the parts. And again, I was being frugal, big time and I still spent 15 grand.. And thats everything. The front suspension, rear including the axle housing and parts, brakes, wheels and tires, everything.

Its hard to see how the cost can get to 30 grand if you can get an entire suspension for 10-12 grand. Well it adds up. And Im talking about the wheels, tires, brakes, and suspension and ALL the lil stuff that makes it a running suspension under the car.

So you may think I over spent and could have done it for a LOT less. Not a bad thought. But until you do it then break out all the invoices its hard to see. I am a tight wad, I look for the best prices and solid components.

And again, I did it on the cheap. There are guys here that have 80,000 dollar cars and thats just in parts, not labor. Ya dont notice the cost till you add up all the invoices, including all the lil ones. If I told you I had 500 bucks just in fasteners you would think I was drunk (I am anyway). But a half a grand on fasteners is about right (maybe more really). The lil stuff adds up. Hundred here, hundred there. It seems like there is a hundred dollar bill for any lil part or need. I need a hundy tree. JR


Hey folks, I'm new to the whole pro touring thing. I have a 68 Mustang coupe that is about to be stripped.

I need direction for suspension...

My plan is to drive the car for fun, no hard core race events, but a weekend at the track is not out of the question. I'm interested in quality and doing things right, but I don't don't have buckets, and buckets of cash.

I will also admit that I'm in search of a "look" as well. Fat tires and the in the weeds look is what I'm going for.

I'm familiar with the products on the market...but I'm not sure about bang for buck or what's appropriate.

Rack and pinion...is it worth it? Coil overs up front? Airbags???
4 link out back? or leaf upgrade from Global West or the like?

Thanks folks - I will begin posting pics in the coming days.

[NOT A TA]

Welcome! JR speaks the truth. Try to be realistic about what you want, can afford, and how long you're willing to wait. You can buy a car similar to what you're dreaming of and change it to your particular taste for much less than you can build one. Cars are being stripped down all over but very few are getting completed. It's a huge task and ends up being waaaay more expensive than folks think it's going to be. If the car is usable as it is you also might want to consider doing things a little at a time instead of jumping in with both feet.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Total Control Products are super high quality and true bolt in pieces. how far you want to go would really on your pocket book.

So what is your comfortable suspension budget?

[Lowend]

A 4-link out back really shouldn't be a concern... the leafspring setup can work damn good.

I would say that your money should be going into chassis strengthing more than anything. Early mustangs' are very flexy.

What kind of budget are you working within?