My 68 Cougar Pro-Touring / Resto-Mod Project

[langleylad]

I've been working on this project for some time now . This project started when my brother in-law gave me this Cougar that he'd owned since 1969 . He took it off the road approx. 20 years ago when it started running rough and he couldn't seem to figure out why . The guy I sold the pure stock 289 to for $200 informed me that there was a hole in one of the piston tops . I've torn it down to a bare shell and have been repairing any rust damage that I have found , which has been found in the rear quarters and front torque boxes. I have replaced the complete stock front suspension with A TCI front suspension kit including cross-member , tubular upper and lower control arms , ridetech coil-overs , power rack and pinion , sway bar , 2" lowering spindles , and Wilwood disc brakes . I've installed a Detroit Speed mini tub kit , sub-frame connectors , and rear torque boxes . I plan to install the Detroit Speed Quadra-Link rear suspension when I have the $$$$ . As for the power plant I have installed a GM 6.0 LQ9 LS motor and a 4L65E transmission . I've set the motor back as far as I could without getting silly , that being said I've modified the firewall and have fabricated a whole new trans-tunnel . I've had to do some minor body work . My recent project has been replacing the rear tail-light section sheet metal and welding in a 68 Shelby Mustang tail-light panel. I've always thought that the Cougar tail-light looked really heavy on the eye. Pictures to follow .

[langleylad]

As promised

[shikwann]

Hi those appear to be the mini tubbed inner wheel wells. Can you talk more about that area for me? Do you have more pics of it underneath. I'm doing the same thing right now, but I'm not sure how much more to pinch against the frame well. I also have a big gal towards the back of the passenger side outer wheel well to new one

[langleylad]

https://youtu.be/A4Jy9doSuCk

I can do better than pictures , here is the Detroit Speed install video . I've watched it a 100 times . The mini tub kit comes with an install DVD . The mini tub kit comes with new frame rails to make room for the new tubs . If you're working with a Cougar , you need to modify the rear section of the tubs .

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Your cougar is going to a nice, great work!

Thanks Michael !

[1bad68cat]

https://youtu.be/A4Jy9doSuCk

I can do better than pictures , here is the Detroit Speed install video . I've watched it a 100 times . The mini tub kit comes with an install DVD . The mini tub kit comes with new frame rails to make room for the new tubs . If you're working with a Cougar , you need to modify the rear section of the tubs .

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Thanks Michael !

Do you have a photo of the mod to the rear section of the wheel tub?

[langleylad]

Do you have a photo of the mod to the rear section of the wheel tub?

Sorry I don't have any pictures of the mod to the tubs . You need to modify the back half of the Mustang tub so that it slopes back . As I've said the Mustang tub is completely round and the Cougar piece slopes back on an angle . Buy the DSE kit and compare the two tubs and you'll see what you need to do . It's not a difficult job . As with anything else , just take your time and it will turn out just fine . I used cardboard to make a pattern , then transferred it to 18g when I was happy with the fit . I'd take pictures of the finished product now but they look just like a stock tub and you really can't see the mods after I metal finished them .

[shikwann]

Thank you. I didn't buy the Detroit speed kit. I purchased the wide wheel wells from mustangs unlimited only for the 68 cougar. I'm mating the bottom of the well to the frame and spot welding that. What part of the back did you mod? Did you have a big gap towards the back from the stock outer wheel well? That's what I'm dealing with right now.

[langleylad]

Thank you. I didn't buy the Detroit speed kit. I purchased the wide wheel wells from mustangs unlimited only for the 68 cougar. I'm mating the bottom of the well to the frame and spot welding that. What part of the back did you mod? Did you have a big gap towards the back from the stock outer wheel well? That's what I'm dealing with right now.

Since your tubs were made for a Cougar and not a Mustang you shouldn't have to worry about modifying them .

[langleylad]

I've just about finished grafting in the Shelby taillight panel , a little more sanding to do. Here you can see what I mean about the Cougar taillight assembly being heavy on the eye compared to the Shelby piece.

[Roger Poirier]

Nice project. Looks like you have a quality car to start with. Why not a Ford engine? Looking forward to the build thread. Keep the pic's coming.

[langleylad]

Nice project. Looks like you have a quality car to start with. Why not a Ford engine? Looking forward to the build thread. Keep the pic's coming.

Thanks , ya , the car is very solid . The floors are just like the day it rolled out of the factory . As for why not a Ford engine ? , I have nothing against Ford power but it all came down to $$$$$ .I've owned a 88 5.0 Mustang in the past , so I've been there done that . A mod motor or a Coyote engine , too much money but for different reasons . A Coyote cost too much to start with and a Mod would cost too much to unleash the same amount of power plus I just want to play with a LS engine .

[andrewb70]

Nice to see another Cougar being built!

Andrew

[Spork82]

Hello to a fellow BC'er Welcome to PT!

Loving the build, keep it up. Nice to see some more Cougars on this site, regardless of motor

[driveit]

That tail panel is going to look awesome.

[langleylad]

Thanks guys . I realize that putting a Chevy in a Ford is going to ruffle a few feathers but I'm OK with that , I'm not the first . Check out all the 32 Fords at your next car show / rod run , you'll see what I mean .

[Motown 454]

Its looking good. Nice work.

[langleylad]

Thanks Wayne . I thought that I'd start on the rear valance today . My plan is to combine the stock piece and again a 68 Shelby piece . Originally I was just going to graft in the exhaust cut outs but when I stripped down the original valance I found lots of filler . From the back side I could see that there was a crease and filler poking through a half dozen holes ( lazy body man ). I believe that I can get the Shelby piece to work , it's going to take some metalwork but hey I've got the time and material . Also by using the Shelby valance it has the license plate mount , the Cougar had the plate between the taillights which I lost by going to the Shelby taillight panel.

[langleylad]

Well I put the Shelby valance under the knife today and it looks like it's going to work out fine .

[langleylad]

I got the valance all figured out and I'm very happy with it . I installed the rear bumper , fender extensions and trunk lid just to get a look at things . Next job is to get the bumper to fit better , it's twisted and the top and bottom sides is in need of straightening out . Bumper jack damage I presume . The bumpers will be painted body color .

[DrFraZZy]

subscribing! to steal some ideas for my cougar. That cougar is a solid car to begin with! Kudos on a nice find and using cougar! I can't wait to see it finished