Classic Mustangs List Archive

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Mail From: Keven D. Coates (email redacted)

There are inherent disadvantages to this swap, as well as advantages.

Advantages:
- More room in the engine bay
- Rack and Pinion steering (although I don't know how quick of a ratio is
stock)
- Disk brakes (although they need to be upgraded because they are way too
small)

Disadvantages:
- Major cutting and aligning required, big labor costs or a lot of work if
you do it yourself.
- Less optimal handling unless special a-arms are used. Especially if you
lower your a-arm on the stock mustang setup, the geometry is much better
than the mustang II setup IMO. The pinto was never considered a sports car!
- Harder to work on (looks like it's harder to get to shocks etc. although I
don't really know)
- Cost (unless you spend a lot of time with the torch in the salvage yard).
If you buy a new conversion from Fat man or other companies, the bill can be
$1000-$2000.
- Cost of upgrading brakes ($100-$200 just for the bracket to adapt granada
brakes).
- Less suspension travel (I think).

So, I still like my stang suspension. It has excellent handling when properly
set up, and is a snap to work on. The longer a-arm length gives it more ideal
suspension travel and camber curve (again, when set up right).

Thanks.

Best Regards,
Keven Coates
DSP Datacomm

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Mail From: bshibley (email redacted)

I agree with most of the points below....

For me the decision to go MII was based the pathetic durability and control
of the worm-gear box, to say nothing about the stock power steering
mechanism.....

The suspension and steering in my car were due for an overhaul, so the kit
costs including tubular a-arms and coil overs wasn't too hard to justify.
Add up the cost of stock components, let alone a few mods, and you'll see
what I mean.

Again, everyone's situation is different, but my car was already totally
disassembled and was in need of a couple of inner fenders. This too helped
justify the cost. Why replace with crummy repro when you can upgrade.

I'd have to disagree with thinking the stock suspension is easier to work
on. I'll pass on 'free' coil springs and squeaky a-arms any day!

For brakes, mine came with 11" GM brakes, pretty reasonable whooaa power.

Bruce
'67 Conv EFI/5spd/MII (in process)

> Advantages:
> - More room in the engine bay
> - Rack and Pinion steering (although I don't know how quick of a ratio is
> stock)
> - Disk brakes (although they need to be upgraded because they are way too
> small)
>
> Disadvantages:
> - Major cutting and aligning required, big labor costs or a lot of work
if
> you do it yourself.
> - Less optimal handling unless special a-arms are used. Especially if
you
> lower your a-arm on the stock mustang setup, the geometry is much
better
> than the mustang II setup IMO. The pinto was never considered a sports
car!
> - Harder to work on (looks like it's harder to get to shocks etc.
although I
> don't really know)
> - Cost (unless you spend a lot of time with the torch in the salvage
yard).
> If you buy a new conversion from Fat man or other companies, the bill
can be
> $1000-$2000.
> - Cost of upgrading brakes ($100-$200 just for the bracket to adapt
granada
> brakes).
> - Less suspension travel (I think).
>
> So, I still like my stang suspension. It has excellent handling when
properly
> set up, and is a snap to work on. The longer a-arm length gives it more
ideal
> suspension travel and camber curve (again, when set up right).


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