'62 Falcon Front Suspension - Anyone?

[wiedemab]

My dad and I recently acquired a '62 falcon. I immediately started dreaming of what could be done with it (some day!). Anyway - to my question.

I've been trying to research who make what for these cars.



Are upper and lower front control arms same as the 64-66 Mustang? I've looked on a few companies' web sites and they have the same part numbers for both, so I think this is correct. TCP, Global West

My main quesiton is for disc brake options for the front. Everything that I can find is for '63 and newer Falcons. I'm guessing that the suspenion upright (spindle) changed from 62 to 63?????? I know many of the disc brake kits specify V8 spindles. I don't think the V8 was available in 62 so I thought this may be the reason for the 63 or newer specification. I wasn't sure if the later model spindles retained the same geometry and can be swapped or what the case was.

Anyway, I was just trying to do some research and thought I'd shoot this out here to see if anyone happened to know anything about them.

Thanks in advance for any help/information

Brandon

[Lowend]

I'm pretty sure the setup for 62 was different than 64-up

[rickk]

www.martzchassis.net
rick k

[wiedemab]

After making a few phone calls yesterday, I was referred to a gentleman named Russ at "Wall to Wall Falcon". This guy is a wealth of knowledge.

Long story short - The front suspension components changed mid year 1962 to "newer/different components". Although they were different, no geometry changes were made. The changes were mostly to strengthen the components. This being said, he told me that any component ie: spindles, a-arms, steering linkage from the newer style will bolt directly on to the older cars, but the entire package needs to be changed to the newer because the ball joints, tie rods etc. are different size. Basically if I could find a newer Falcon (or 64-66 mustang) and rob all of the front suspension components off of it, I'd be set. Well, I'd still have stock suspension, but all of the aftermarket improvements available for the newer Falcons and 64-66 Mustangs would be an option.

Anyway, I just thought I'd post this in case anyone else cared to know.

Brandon

[hssss]

Find a Granada it would have the latest design changes to that platform and grab EVERYTHING you can. If you can find a Versailles it will have a medium duty, 28 spline, disk braked 9" which should bolt in as well as the same front suspension. Global West has neat parts for the Falcon/Mustang/granada/Maverick platform including the negative roll which is basicly what Shelby did to make the early Mustangs handle. Search for a thread about redrilling the UCAs 1" lower this improves the geometry. it is also worthwhile to brace the shock/spring towers across and to the firewall, Monte Carlo Bars.

[wiedemab]

Thanks for the info. After talking to Russ, I thought that was the case. If/when I ever get around to this project, I would probably consider TCP, Global West, and probably Fatman's strut conversion. For the money I like Fatman's kit. I know some people have questioned it's capabilities as a race ready suspension, but this would be a street car. It's especially attractive due to the fact that it uses SN95 mustang spindles and the brake options are endless and also affordable.

Fatman's tech guy told me that the kit was intended for 63 and newer Falcons, but from the information I got from Russ at Wall to Wall Falcon, he said that to his knowledge there was no reason why it would work for a 63 and not a 62.

That's good to know that Versaille rear will work. I wasn't sure if the rear width changed as the platform evolved.

I'll have to post some pics of the car, once we drag it home. It's pretty rough, but the price was right - FREE!

Brandon

[wiedemab]

Update: I just wanted to update everyone and to correct a mistatement from above. I spoke with Brett from Fatman Fab abour their kit for the Falcons and he told me that it will absolutely not work on the 60-62 cars.

Just thought I'd update the thread.

Thanks