phoenixfriend84

I say thanks for your invaluable advice. However at this juncture I am forced to change my ultimate goal to stock and safe. I'm about to have to put new siding on my house. So that's going to get most of my attention. I did manage to get a k member from a u pull it place for $15 on Tuesday. They called it a large crossmember. I was also able to get the steering shaft that runs between the column and rack and pinion and the power distribution box cover and only spent $35 for all three parts. So I just need a stock strut and a few bushing and ball joints and ill be all good for my alignment.

Jazzer The Cat

Sounds like the right way to go for you and all that matters

Jazzer says right on

phoenixfriend84

Yes that is my direction at this time. I figure it will give me the opportunity to enjoy it as Ford intended and then later to really enjoy it as it should be. Though I do still question ball joints. I also still have an ABS/traction control issue to track down. But I am only a few parts away from having everything I need to repair my front end.

Jazzer The Cat

One thing often overlooked, when diagnosing an ABS issue, is one or more tires of a different diameter. Generally takes 1", but could be less in some cases.

Jazzer

phoenixfriend84

Yeah. Restore front end, get alignment, get new tires (all four match 245/45 17), new rotors and pads, fix ABS. My rotors are cross drilled and slotted and have stress cracks everywhere. Final bill will go to paint and body work. I figure a year on the stock suspension will give me a better idea what my limitations are with the vehicle are and what I want to do with it ultimately.

Jazzer The Cat

Sorry to hear about the stress cracks of your rotors, but sounds like you bought some cheapos Either that, or the rotors are not seeing "proper braking techniques"

I like your plan as it is best to find out what the car can do and what you can accomplish in spite of it That is to say, the pre-S197 chasis has some pretty major limitations to serious cornering, but ALL can be addressed with the all-mighty $$$ when it is time

Jazzer

phoenixfriend84

Very possibly on those stress cracks. I bought it that way. I'm actually looking for some that are only slotted. Whether they are better than cross drilled or slotted and cross drilled isn't that important I like the look better. I was wondering what all is needed for the cobra brake swap. Calipers, rotors caliper brackets dust shields and go or is there more to it?

Jazzer The Cat

You can go Cobra swap... OR, peep my Brakes Upgrade thread to save some $$$

Jazzer

phoenixfriend84

I have peeped your braking giude. what exactly is the difference between the two besides the rotor size? are the front calipers different or just the placement of the caliper? i can wait patiently until one comes to the local pull a part. or if its just the placement then ill just get the bracket and polish my calipers and have a look like no one else.