Well off to the local 1/8 mile drag strip I go. I am know a confirmed traction challenged person. The track got better as the night went on but traction is not what I expected.

Current set up
Lowered 3/4 all around
adj panhard installed
stock 17" tires at 332psi
KB, 373's, Automatic
Koni Adjustables, full soft in front 180 in rear
Lower control arms pointing down towards front of car

Well over the past few months lurking and learning I knew my instant center was off. I went to the Steeda site and ordered the Steeda relo brackets. What worries my is this statement

Not recommended for factory control arms, if used you can only

use the lowest mounting hole

Shall I buy a set of lower contol arms or keep the stock ones?

 

ziperhead,

The stock bushings are very soft, replacing the LCA just to get the more firm bushings is worth the cost, IMHO. I am actually in the middle of my suspension overhaul and am really looking forward to driving the with the new bushings after seeing how compliant the stock ones were.

The Steeda relocation brackets are nice pieces, but A royal pain in the *** to install. We underestimated how difficult it would be to square the axle and get them welded in place.It set the install back a few hours, which is why the car is sitting at the auto craft shop waiting for the front struts and sway bar to be installed tomorrow instead of sitting in front of my house.

If I had to do it over again, I would just takethem somewhere to get welded in place during the alignmentafter installing everything else. Oh well, live and learn.

 

I'm also using the Steeda weld in LCA relocation brackets. Were going to install everything except the brackets and then drive it to an alignment shop where they have done the bracketsbefore. They will then installthem at the same time as they do the alignment.

 

After thinking on this, I thought I would purchase a set of UMI single adjustable LCA's. Alignment shops around here don't like to install any parts they dont sell. I can installand weld them at the local hot rod shop then get the rear aligned.

 

That's what we should have done. Instead we used a lot of straps and many, many measurements. Worst case, I have to pay extra when getting the alignment done to either grind out the welds and reinstall, But I don't think thats going to be the case.

Luckily I have two friends that have spent a lot of time playing with cars helping me.

 

I've done Ulta Lite lowering Springs,Pro Action Struts & LCA. Camber kit to be done. Sway Bar to be done. I have the relo kit on order too.
As of now handeling is awesome!!........Oh yeah I put Steeda's Heavy Duty Strut Mounts on. I highly reccomend you guys & gals look into them.
The Steeda kit makes the oem mount look cheap,unsafe & just plain lousy.

 

That's the sort of approach I'd recommend. I have a healthy respect for the possibility that no matter how fussy you are that you won't get everything quite right. Not that you don't TRY to, but minor side to side differences in LCA length are less serious than a bad thrust angle and less work than cutting/rewelding/hoping you get it right the second time.


Norm

 

I ended up buying most of the Steeda suspension parts. My decision was based on what I read on forums, the fact that steeda participates in SEMA's tehcnology transfer program with Ford, and that they are ISO certified.Oh and the fact that my wife gave me the go ahead tospend money on car parts, so I took herup on the offer before shecould change her mind. I can't wait to get the install finished, get the alignment done, and enjoying the new ride.

 

Hope my thinking is correct here.

I want my lca's to be a least level and biased down torward rear axle. I will install the new relocation bracket's using the installed stock fixed length lca's and then install the adjustables setting my pinion angle and using the measurement dimension chart posted by Norm to get the lca's as close as possible with a tape measure, then off to a alignment shop.

Does this make sense or just drive 4 hours and have a pro install them?