1964-1/2 Suspension Upgrade

[064 PNY]

Newly imported 64-1/2 from US & need to upgrade front & rear suspension for rego in QLD. Mainly front upper & lower ball joints, etc shot. Can do entire upper lower control arms or just ball joints....anyone have any advice which way to go? Considering just going through entire suspension & going for 1" to 1-1/2" lowered (front and rear). Can anyone recommend good kit (e.g. from Pedders or similar suspension specialist or order from o/seas?). Also, have seen some kits on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1965-1966-MUSTANG-FRONT-SUSPENSION-STEERING-KIT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a1Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem120396380846QQitemZ120396380846QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories. Anyone have any experience with these?? Thanks in advance......

[moe]

Do the entire arms.   Try your local mustang parts vendor for upper and lower control arms.

For lowering the front - you have a couple of options - the "shelby mod" which lowers the upper control arm for better handling or to get lowered springs.

[evan]

As mo said, replace the entire arms rather than rebuilding them. The uppers crack where the spring saddles mount & when you remove the screw in bushes, you'll probably strip the threads. The lowers have the ball joints welded in from memory. It's not really worth the trouble.

For lowering the front, I fitted 1" lowered GT springs from a local Mustang shop & relocated the upper arms (Shelby drop).
For the rear, I had the leaves reset for a 1.5" drop & an extra leaf was added. Approx $150 from memory. Any good local spring shop should be able to help you.

Evan.

[064 PNY]

Mo & Evan.....thanks for reply and confirming thoughts to do entire arms.

Evan, I take it by doing the Shelby drop (1") and combining with 1" lowered spring you have achieved and overall lowering of 2" from the standard ride height for the front suspension? If I have my figures correct does this mean that you now measure 12-1/2" from the centre of the front wheel/hub to the bottom lip of the front guard/wheel arch?

Some searching on the net tells me the standard ride height for a 65 mustang is 14-1/2" for the front and rear (measured from the centre of wheel/hub to the bottom lip of the guard/wheel arch). Is this correct?? Can anyone confirm please??

Thx....Jim

[evan]

Jim, I can't really confirm because I relocated the upper arms while the car was (& still is) stripped. I have no panels, glass or interior fitted.

Evan.

[DV8]

1" Shelby drop will lower car by approx 1/2". Pivot point on car is lowered by 1". The car is supported by the springs which is approx halfway between wheel and the pivot shaft, hence 1/2" lowering.
Cheers,
Mike.