Reinforced control arms -worth it?

[Sluggo]

I thought you knew my name was Craig, in fact I thought that was the reason for the nice title I can't seam to change! :bird

I know you're Craig...silly.
I meant, there's another Craig besides you?

[Opentracker]

John,
I'll get em boxed up.

I've already done the arning drop. Is moving the perch going to alter the front ride height anymore? I don't want to drop the front anymore than it is.

Who's tower reinforcement kit do you suggest?

The 1" perch move on it's own raises the car 1/2" and increases the spring rate about 100lbs. The reason to or not to do it depends on your use for the car. IMO it's free so why not. Since it does alter the ride height and spring rate, it will require some adjustment. You may even go with a softer spring if the ride is too stiff.

I would make your own plates. The only kit I know of is from Pro-Mo and it cost. I bet you could make up some pieces out of cardboard and pay a machine shop to cut them out for you for less than the Pro-Mo kit.

Something like this will help a lot.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/67-68-69-70-Mustang-Shock-Tower-Brace-Boss-302-Mod_W0QQitemZ320397196790QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item4a99293df6&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1171

[Opentracker]

John (or anyone),
I am a lowly street puke, my car has never seen a track (unless you count the drag strip). I have basically stock front suspension with the only real changes being the 1" Shelby drop, half a coil cut off the original coils and Granada spindles. Oh and I have a 1966 Shelby 1" front anti-sway bar (yeah on a 67).
My question pertains to the advise of roller perches, would my lowly street puke (non-Grabber Orange, small hood scoop) car see any benifit that I would actually notice from roller perches? Keep in mind it has a 429 with iron heads and manual steering so it's no canyon carver for sure. In fact it steers better with the throttle!
thanks
the other Craig, aka the TARA-fied 1

I would put roller perches on Grandma's convertible. Any and all older Fords that have a spring perch should use a roller unit. They make the cars safter to drive. Does't matter where you get them. I like folks to make their own, it's a fun project.

[tarafied1]

They make the cars safter to drive.

forgive my ignorance, but how does it make the car safer? I'm all for safety just don't comprehend...

[Opentracker]

Good question -

Because of the lack of bind, they keep the front tires planted to the pavement much more than a rubber bushing spring perch would. They also ease up the steering a bit and that's always a good thing. The big one to me can't be put into words. It's a feel you get from the drivers seat that wasn't there before. A more confident, sure footed feel. The front end won't bounce around, they give the car a smoother ride. If your on a tight budget, we get used ones in from time to time, send us an email and I'll see what we can do.

opentracker@sbcglobal.net

[Starfury]

I completely agree, there's a different feel to the car after installing them.  The ride is smoother and the tires stay planted better over rough pavement.  Definitely worth installing.

[tarafied1]

  thanks, that makes sense. I could use the easier to steer for sure. I've got the PS gearbox with no PS and a big block so this thing is a beast to park or turn around in a parking lot. Thanks again for the honest advise and help to Mustangers! I'll check out your website on the price and let you know if they are in (non-exsistant) budget!

[Opentracker]

thanks, that makes sense. I could use the easier to steer for sure. I've got the PS gearbox with no PS and a big block so this thing is a beast to park or turn around in a parking lot. Thanks again for the honest advise and help to Mustangers! I'll check out your website on the price and let you know if they are in (non-exsistant) budget!

We have a forum member discount too, email for a quote.

[silverblueBP]

There's another Craig around here?

Wow, my condolences!

[Sluggo]

The 1" perch move on it's own raises the car 1/2" and increases the spring rate about 100lbs. The reason to or not to do it depends on your use for the car. IMO it's free so why not. Since it does alter the ride height and spring rate, it will require some adjustment. You may even go with a softer spring if the ride is too stiff.

It has 620 drop coils on it now and grab-a-trak 5 leaf mideyes on the rear. Feels like this when riding in it: :bash :bash :bash

I don't know if I want it much stiffer :conf.

Since the tower is cracked already I think I need to use the Boss/bigblock reinforcement plates as well. I'm gonna see if my local guy has a junk set of towers with the plate on them and I'll just whack some out with a buddy's plasma cutter for the outer.
I may make up some extra gussets while I'm at it.

[silverblueBP]

Another kudos for roller perches  :toot
If you could only do one suspension upgrade...ever, the roller perches should be at the top of the list. Take the old (or a new set) of stock perches and see what it takes to move them, you'll wonder how it all worked.

[tarafied1]

Thanks John, email sent  :run

[Sluggo]

Another kudos for roller perches  :toot
If you could only do one suspension upgrade...ever, the roller perches should be at the top of the list. Take the old (or a new set) of stock perches and see what it takes to move them, you'll wonder how it all worked.

I know when I changed out all the front suspension a while back, the worst part was trying to get the perches to swivel enough to get the shocks bolted back in.

[Opentracker]

It has 620 drop coils on it now and grab-a-trak 5 leaf mideyes on the rear. Feels like this when riding in it: :bash :bash :bash

I don't know if I want it much stiffer :conf.

Since the tower is cracked already I think I need to use the Boss/bigblock reinforcement plates as well. I'm gonna see if my local guy has a junk set of towers with the plate on them and I'll just whack some out with a buddy's plasma cutter for the outer.
I may make up some extra gussets while I'm at it.

Then we won't do the perch move. The roller UCA's and roller perches will smooth out the ride. Another thing is if you have KYB shocks on the rear, they bounce. A softer shock on the rear (like the Grab-A-Track ) will help. Our street kits come with KYB front shocks and Grab-A-Track rear shocks. Might sound odd but it works.

[Shaun]

It has 620 drop coils on it now and grab-a-trak 5 leaf mideyes on the rear. Feels like this when riding in it: :bash :bash :bash

I don't know if I want it much stiffer :conf.

Since the tower is cracked already I think I need to use the Boss/bigblock reinforcement plates as well. I'm gonna see if my local guy has a junk set of towers with the plate on them and I'll just whack some out with a buddy's plasma cutter for the outer.
I may make up some extra gussets while I'm at it.

Don't be hatin' the springs.  If you have KYB's that is what is making your ride 'crashy'

[Sluggo]

Don't be hatin' the springs.  If you have KYB's that is what is making your ride 'crashy'

And that's precisely what I have. For now anyway.

[Starfury]

I had Gas-A-Justs and I agree, they do make for a rough ride.  On smooth road, I loved them.  Couldn't keep the tires planted on rough roads, though.  I really like the Edelbrocks I replaced them with.

[cmayna]

John threatened to befriend me if I didn't replace Red's Gas adjusts in back with some KYB GR-2's and what a difference in ride.  Much smoother.

[Fast68back]

John threatened to befriend me if I didn't replace Red's Gas adjusts in back with some KYB GR-2's and what a difference in ride.  Much smoother.

And I JUST swapped my GR-2s for Bilsteins.... Anyone looking for a set of LOW mileage GR-2's?

[Sluggo]

And I JUST swapped my GR-2s for Bilsteins.... Anyone looking for a set of LOW mileage GR-2's?

So....how are the Bilsteins?

[Fast68back]

Seems a bit more responsive. I'll have to put it on the track to know for sure...... :yikes

[cmayna]

And I JUST swapped my GR-2s for Bilsteins.... Anyone looking for a set of LOW mileage GR-2's?

I'll pay the freight if you want to unload them.