Project BLUEprint, 1965 Falcon

[Bryce]

Here are the TCI double adjustable shocks with the afco springs.


The look nice in the box, hopefully they will look nice on the car.

I hope everyone had a great christmas. My family did! my wife cooked christmas dinner for us, her first ever and it was amazazing.

I got a bunch of tools for the new garage.

[johnny68]

looks great bryce cograts on her christmas dinner
john

[elgringo]

Bryce, I've got a '63 falcon that I'm working on right now. I was looking up ideas on how to upgrade the suspension from the 47 year old set-up that it came with, when I ran across your post. Right now I've got a TKO 500 waiting to go in and, some extra aluminum laying around that I'm able to make some other modifications with for now. I noticed that you were in San Diego, and was wondering if it would be alright to come by and see the set-up that you have. It doesn't look like I have near the engineering skills that you have, but it would still be a great help. I'll put some pictures up probably tomorrow.
Incredible job, and thanks for sharing this with everyone.

[454bug]

Hey Bryce,

VERY nice looking set of shocks/springs! You should be able to dial in the handling with them! If they perform as well as they look you should be doing great!

Keep up the GREAT job! It's getting closer and closer...

[Bryce]

Hey Bryce,

VERY nice looking set of shocks/springs! You should be able to dial in the handling with them! If they perform as well as they look you should be doing great!

Keep up the GREAT job! It's getting closer and closer...

Thanks Ray,
They should be better than the afcos I have in front. These are a monotube double adjustable and nitrogen charged.

[Bryce]

Bryce, I've got a '63 falcon that I'm working on right now. I was looking up ideas on how to upgrade the suspension from the 47 year old set-up that it came with, when I ran across your post. Right now I've got a TKO 500 waiting to go in and, some extra aluminum laying around that I'm able to make some other modifications with for now. I noticed that you were in San Diego, and was wondering if it would be alright to come by and see the set-up that you have. It doesn't look like I have near the engineering skills that you have, but it would still be a great help. I'll put some pictures up probably tomorrow.
Incredible job, and thanks for sharing this with everyone.

Thanks Gringo,

Post up some build pictures of your car. I will let you now the next time the car goes out to a local show or an SCCA event.

[Bryce]

Spent some time making brackets today. These are the chassis side of the upper link. They have an arced slot and will be welded to the frame cradle. Not too bad for a bandswaw, drill press and an array of tools for the die grinder.

[Bjkadron]

Spent some time making brackets today. These are the chassis side of the upper link. They have an arced slot and will be welded to the frame cradle. Not too bad for a bandsaw, drill press and an array of tools for the die grinder.

You should have asked me, I could have cut them on a mill... made them pretty! haha!

[Bryce]

Here is a quick update of some progress.

Third link bracket tack welded onto the frame cradle.

[Bryce]

I have one more thing to figure out before I can remove the entire rear suspension and final weld everything. I have been really slow the last few weeks. Too many distractions.

Also, I have been planning a redesign of the front valance. Also I am planning on building a rear valance and still contemplating a wide body stretch.

[srh3trinity]

Also I am planning on building a rear valance and still contemplating a wide body stretch.

Sounds like a no brainer, but drive it some first and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

[strtlegal]

Didn't read everything you posted but why not just make a bracket with a bunch of slots in it much like the one on the top of your diff? I'm just assuming from all the pivoting motions of your rear end I would think it would come loose...Just curious

[Bryce]

Sounds like a no brainer, but drive it some first and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Yes, this will be down the road. I want to make it to goodguys and drive it over the summer. The some of the bigger projects will be started.

[Bryce]

Didn't read everything you posted but why not just make a bracket with a bunch of slots in it much like the one on the top of your diff? I'm just assuming from all the pivoting motions of your rear end I would think it would come loose...Just curious

The slot is an arc centered around the rear connection of the UCA. The loads are always perpendicular to the slot, therefore there is no force to make the control arm move in the slot when the bolt is tight.



Also the clamping force of the fastener would be enough to keep it from moving.

[chunger]

I'm no suspension expert, but won't that bracket for the upper link see some serious loads from the rearend? How thick are those pieces? Maybe it's just the angle of the photo, but it appears mighty thin.

[Bryce]

I'm no suspension expert, but won't that bracket for the upper link see some serious loads from the rearend? How thick are those pieces? Maybe it's just the angle of the photo, but it appears mighty thin.

Those brackets are 1/8" and they will be boxed in on the bottom and front side.

They will see some high loads the max they will see is 4000lbs. That would be at the drag strip with slicks launching a 5000rpm and not spinning the tires. But 4000lbs is really not that much. A high quality 1/4 diameter fastener can take that load in single shear.

Plus as an engineer, I like to do calculations. So I try make sure nothing I build is too heavy. If I can make every piece lighter then the car tends to be lighter.

[Bryce]

I weighed all the old suspension yesterday, leafs springs with slapper bars and all the hardware, 83lbs.

The new stuff is 55lbs without the brackets on the rearend. So i might end up a little lighter. WooHoo!

[Bjkadron]

Sounds good! I can't wait to see it finished!

[Bjkadron]

Oh! By the way. I found my measurements.

[2blownstangs]

nice work bro. Love the falcons