Hey guys, after many years of owning my baby I have finally gotten to the point that I am upgrading my suspension in the weeks to come and was wondering if anyone had advice from doing it them selves that could save me some time. Aside from a few questions I have, I am super excited to get started on this project.

For simplicity I ordered the Stage 2 Ultra Performance Suspension Rebuild Kit from Mustang Depot. I ordered that kit because I have herd good things about it from some of you on here, and I want the car to handle top notch but drivable on city streets because that is most of my driving. I avoided Poly bushings because I have herd bad things about the drive ability and noise with them so I stuck with rubber on everything. I got the roller spring perches, racing shackles, 4.5 mid eye leafs, and 600lb 1" lowered springs, kyb gas-a-just shocks, non adjustable rear sway bar, and the 1" front sway bar. For the control arms I got the moog lower and Maier reinforced and realigned uppers.

I have printed off a template for doing the Shelby drop with the realigned uppers. What is the best way to drill the holes and not screw it up? I am most worried about drilling those holes wrong and it not being right because I only get one chance with them. Also, where can I find a 17/32 drill bit?
Is there any order in putting these parts on that makes it easier and quicker? Am I going to regret any of the parts? I was thinking the springs may be a little on the stiff side for what I want, but I also wanted it to ride lower.

Thanks for everything, Brian

 

For the Shelby drop, mark your locations and using a center punch, make the dimple. Then drill a 1/8" hole. That hole will define the center and keep you on track.

I bought the bit from Daze, you can find him on the site. I think it's www.dazecars.com but I could be wrong.

 

Drill steady and not at full speed if you have a corded drill, too fast and the bit will gall and overheat. I think the gas-a-justs may be a little stiff, I went with the GR-2's and am happy but it's a preference thing you'll have to drive it to see if you like it.
Jon

 

Good decision. Changed mine over in 2000 after it started squeaking and found one of the lower control arms cracked. Pretty simple stuff and had positive results. I used the reverse eye leaf that lowered my rear 1".

 

The rear leafs is where I am a little concerned. I really want the car to sit level with the front. Doing the Shelby drop (I am told I don't quite get a full inch drop in the body) and the inch lower springs, I am not sure what thats going to equate to in the rear. I had the original leafs which had the extension shackles on them (don't yell at me, I know how bad they are) and so I don't know whats going to happen with the new slightly stiffer leafs, mid eye, and putting the 'racing shackles' on instead of the dangerous ones. I would presume the mid eye leafs would drop the car some (half inch?) but also raise it because they are not sagging like the old ones, and the different shackles will drop the car 2". I am having some buyers remorse already in not doing more homework before ordering the parts, but there is not much I can do now other than hope for the best in how it comes out... and change things out later down the road when I get some more fun money to spend on the car.

 

Figure about 5/8" for the drop.

 

I agree. Homework is everything. I spent hundreds on parts that I swapped out later for something else. I too did the Shelby drop and 1" lower springs on the front and with the 1" drop on the back, it looks level. I'm also running 15" wheels. If you're running 14s then it'll barely be off the ground. I run full tube headers and always have to watch how I enter/exit driveways. With 14s, I couldn't slide a jack under the framerails without removing the top plate on the jack. FYI.

 

Side view

 

 

i have the same set up that you describe in the beginning. I have the uca drop, 1" lowering springs on front along with the roller perches.

On the rear i have 4.5 leaf mideye springs. I am running the gr2 shocks. I have 17 inch wheels with 245 45s up rear and 225 45s on the front

I think my car sits perfect and rides great. WHen i get two people in the back and someone in the pass. seat it tends to rub on the rear tires over hard bumps. but not bad.

ill post a pic of the stance if you would like.

once you install it all you will also see how bad your steering can be. I have been working on the overall feel of the steering and working out all the slop.