62 Falcon - $5k challenge, how will it rise from the ranger's ashes?

[STINEY]

If I wanted to capture the 70's vibe - I could put the front of the leafs UNDER the frame rail lowering them about 2-3" inches and effectively raising the rear end of the car that much. But if I'm going to do that - I might as well radius the wheel wells for the 15x10 slots I have, wrap them in N50-15 M/T's and put side pipes on it. ;-)

I vote this!

But admittedly I am a recovering StreetFreak addict, I still drool over my 1973 HotRod Yearbook on a regular basis, so take my input for what it is.

You have to admit that the extra ground clearance comes in handy on lots of roads....

[Silver68RT]

If I wanted to capture the 70's vibe - I could put the front of the leafs UNDER the frame rail lowering them about 2-3" inches and effectively raising the rear end of the car that much. But if I'm going to do that - I might as well radius the wheel wells for the 15x10 slots I have, wrap them in N50-15 M/T's and put side pipes on it. ;-)

http://www.autorv.com/browse.aspx?AdName=BKITEHMWL6485016

I like that plan. The one in the ad above also has a straight axle in the front, and it's only $3850.

[milner351]

No straight axles for me, Mustang II maybe, straight axle.... no.

[TheSilverBuick]

Looking good. I have no opinion one way or another, though I'd leave it alone for time sake and run what tire fits from there.

[milner351]

^^^ probably the wisest choice as far as time goes.

If I didn't have to modify the axle already - it would be a no brainer to leave it alone and run stock spring location.

[BBR]

From you pic, it does not look like the frame rail is wide enough to fit the spring inside it.

You could probably use a Mopar Performance spring relocation kit if you wanted to go into the rail. Or build your own.

http://www.rhphoto.com/leaf_spring.html

[RAIV70Judge]

M2 front end is aquired.

[milner351]

Matt is the parts aquisition KING! Thanks bud - I owe ya! No more shock towers! YAHOO!

Here's the crites kit - what I don't like about it is the rear - does that not look flimsy to you? doesn't it also appear to raise the rear of the car? Doesn't seem worth $159 + shipping to me.

[STINEY]

No more shock towers? Really? So the go ahead plan is for a Mustang II front suspension?

That kit does look a bit chinzy for the $$. Notice that one rear hanger has a triagulated bit in it and the other does not? I've seen that style on street cars before, and I suppose they work okay, but they still look weak to my eye.

[Russell]

offset rear shackel and a front spring cup, looks pretty simple (not saying I could build it) The Falcon is pretty light so the offset shackel maybe ok? I would not want one of the back of a 3/4 work truck. maybe reinforce (weld) the rear frame to the body. what is the lenght of a stock shackel should be easy to measure to determind if there is a change in ride height.

At what point would it be easier to replace the rear fame rail with square tubing shifted over? Could you just add another frame rail inside the stock one to mount the rear shackel?

[Mater]

idk that does not seem to be worth the money

now is it strong enough no idea i am not a suspention engineer

[Russell]

No more shock towers? Really? So the go ahead plan is for a Mustang II front suspension?

That kit does look a bit chinzy for the $$. Notice that one rear hanger has a triagulated bit in it and the other does not? I've seen that style on street cars before, and I suppose they work okay, but they still look weak to my eye.

to me it looks like both would have the triagulated bit its just only on side of each. See the heat mark on the one you can not see the bit? I bet it would hit the frame it you gussed on both sides.

[Mater]

At what point would it be easier to replace the rear fame rail with square tubing shifted over? Could you just add another frame rail inside the stock one to mount the rear shackel?

that is how i would go about it

[Russell]

lol just back half it already!

I love scope creep!

[milner351]

Stiney - the gusset is facing away from you in the picture - I took a double take at that too. Considering the kit comes with the aluminum "bushings" sized for the factory tube in the frame rail, etc, I do give them some credit, they have to eat too.

Russell - you're right I was looking at it wrong - the "off set" shackle in the crites kit is probably equivalent to the stock shackle height.

Yes - the plan several guys have used on the tffn.net board is as you've stated - effectively putting a new short section of ~2" frame rail parallel to and welded to the factory frame rail, additional strength could also be offered by putting some heavy gauge sheet metal or 1/8" plate across the area of trunk floor above the spring and welding it into the factory frame and new frame from the top.

Crites would sell allot more stuff if they'd put better pictures and instructions on their site. I assume from looking at the kit that the front spring mounts are designed to fit inside the factory frame rail and the radius cut on the open end follows the curvature of the frame rail as it rises up over the axle.

YES - after much deliberation it came down to a matter of economics..... Matt got the M2 kit so darned cheap I couldn't pass it up.
Rebuilding my stock steering box, buying new granada rotors and calipers, and a v8 falcon center link - would cost more than what he stole er um bought the kit for. It's more time though, and I will have to modify the stock steering column to deal with the rack and pinion - however - this removes the "spear of death" aspect of the factory one piece column. With any luck - the tri - y headers will have no issues with the rack.