turboman65

Has anyone tryed to swap a late model front end to a 65? i was gonna put a Mustang II in but got a whole 03 GT front for cheep, so can this be done without a lot of mods? Or has anyone on here done this. So far the wheel base is around 5 in. wider than stock. Any ideas, comments, suggestions is helpful. Thank you

Starfury

My question is: Why? With some small changes, the SLA suspension design on the '65 is by far the superior system. Struts are only nice because they're cheap (production factor) and light. It's not until you get to the '05+ models that you start getting back into decent performance front ends.

ajzride

I can't imagine it can be done without major fabrication. The track width is different, the geometry is different, then weight is different. If it were easy lots of people would already be doing it. Like putting the crown vic front ends up under F100 trucks.

67mustang302

Yeah, no reason to go away from the front suspension unless you swap an engine in that requires cutting the shock towers out (and there are various reasons not to do that as well).

The stock suspension with some modification is actually pretty killer. SLA setups work REALLY well for handling, they're just not as common these days because they take up more space and cost more.

turboman65

I just want updated braking,(disk), and need more room, i was wanting to take out the shock towers, for future turbo setup. I figured it wasnt easy or more people would be doing it. I think i will scrap that idea. To much work, when i can just put a mustang II under it.Thank guys.

67mustang302

Why even put a Mustang 2 in it? You can have a turbo setup without cutting out the shock towers. You can also get really good brakes for stock spindles. Also the M2 front end won't handle nearly as well as modified stock will.

turboman65

OK, this is my first Mustang build, I realize I can put updated disk on the front, so what all should I do to stock suspension to make it handle better and get room on shock towers. I know about the 1in. a arm drop, for bump steering, what else can I do. Thanks for the help.

turboman65

I am putting in a 351w stroked to a 393, thats the motor, C4 trans, ladder bar 9in. Rear set up, sub frame connecters, torke boxs, this is going to be a street car. Is there anything else I need to do besides front suspension? I am also going to put in a 10 pt. Cromoly cage to stiffn it all up and tie it all together. Thanks for the help

67mustang302

You don't really want ladder bars on a street car. Also, ch-mo for a cage is overkill unless it's a really fast race car, mild steel is fine (and you can go 4 or 6 pnt, no need for 10).

For suspension, I always tell people to go with Maier. They have a newer coilover front setup, drop the arm 1" like with stock, but the arm has a relocated shock mount for better shock control, and a really good shock package from JRI. Then add the boxed LCA and the delrin strut rod bushings.

On the rear it depends on what you want to do, you can get leaf spring setups to work really well if you're willing to put money into it. Maier has a 3 link rear setup, but it's pretty expensive. There are also a few 4 link kits out there.

It really depends on what you want, straight line traction, cornering etc.

Iskwezm

I have a turbo and didn't make any major modifications other then opening the radiator opening. I recently added 13"/12" brakes. Suspension is all Shelby stuff with cut coils. Working on doing coil overs now, but other then that, its all budget stuff and it works.