Kiwi Classics FE Mustang

[hwoods]

https://youtu.be/aOHhHiQfqr8?si=8n5Ckguoa3e2tSjw

[Gaugster]

I watch Kiwi's channel a lot. He's had a couple FE projects. Very much a Craftsman and his work shows it.

[TomP]

I hate Mustang II suspension for the very problems he shows. Rack site way up high. I saw one at the SEMA show, FE 63 Galaxie with a single stage external oil pump , pan was shallow at the front. I have also seen a dry sump on a pretty stock 302 with exhaust manifolds... all to give more spark plug room.
 So his solution is going to mean the whole tunnel and tranny crossmember needs to move rearward, the air clearer runs into the bracing at the back of the hood and protrudes out the front of the scoop unless the scoop is moved to the back edge. Power brake booster won't fit any more,  steering shaft may foul the oil filter too.

[Rory428]

I hate Mustang II suspension for the very problems he shows. Rack site way up high. I saw one at the SEMA show, FE 63 Galaxie with a single stage external oil pump , pan was shallow at the front. I have also seen a dry sump on a pretty stock 302 with exhaust manifolds... all to give more spark plug room.
 So his solution is going to mean the whole tunnel and tranny crossmember needs to move rearward, the air clearer runs into the bracing at the back of the hood and protrudes out the front of the scoop unless the scoop is moved to the back edge. Power brake booster won't fit any more,  steering shaft may foul the oil filter too.

Yeah, I find it amazing that some guys will go to so much work, and money, sticking a Mustang 11 front suspension, in a Mustang, Falcon, Fairlane, etc, to eliminate the shock towers , just to free up some room for header bolts and spark plug changes.  Not to mention that they often install it poorly, so it`s impossible to get the wheel alignment correct. Funny how the 69 & 70  Boss 302s did so well in the Trans Am series, with the stock shock tower setup, including winning the 1970 TA championship. Yes, I have owned a number of factory FE powered Mustangs and Fairlanes, and a couple of 70 Mustangs with 351C 4V engines, and the shock towers absolutely are a PITA when installing headers in the car, and even mildly inconvenient for changing spark plugs, but realistically, how often are most guys actually doing that anyhow? I would much rather be changing the spark plugs on a 428CJ Mustang, than many late model FWD cars , SUVs, or minivans with a V6!

[482supersnake]

The best alternative to the Mustang II front suspensions is the Mike Maier's Mod 2 front suspension. It retains the rear steering and replaced the the shock towers with new fabricated one yet still has enough room for Coyote swaps. The only reason I didn't go with it when I was doing the front suspension on my Mustang is because of its cost. It's around $7,000. I kept the stock shock towers and went with the Street or Track coil over front suspension.

https://mikemaierinc.com/products/64-73-mustang/front-suspension/64-70-mustang-mod-2-front-suspension-kit/

[Rory428]

That Mair setup is rather interesting, and looks quite well made, but as you mentioned,pretty pricey. Another option, if you absolutely can`t live with the size of the factory shock towers, is the AJE kit, that essentially puts a FOX Mustang type strut style front suspension system, including a rack and pinion steering, in place of the stock, shock tower design. I believe that is what Tony Fritz has in his FE powered Maverick, that I seen at the FERR a few years ago. His Maverick still has some of the factory shock towers, but the struts allowed for a fair bit to be removed, and the FE had plenty of room,and the Maverick has much less space in stock form, than a 66-69 Fairlane or 67-70 Mustang does.

[machoneman]

"Yeah, I find it amazing that some guys will go to so much work, and money, sticking a Mustang 11 front suspension, in a Mustang, Falcon, Fairlane, etc, to eliminate the shock towers , just to free up some room for header bolts and spark plug changes.  Not to mention that they often install it poorly, so it`s impossible to get the wheel alignment correct. Funny how the 69 & 70  Boss 302s did so well in the Trans Am series, with the stock shock tower setup, including winning the 1970 TA championship."

Agreed. Have all the Boss 302 Chassis Manual recommendations for the front suspension on my '70 Mach 1, 351W powered. 1" drop, Konis, roller perches and roller idler (not in the Manual), bigger sway bar, progressive contour coil springs, Monte Carlo brace and more. Can't believe that $7,000+ system would allow any better cornering! Oh, and all the parts cost not even a $1,000. 

[Gaugster]

I totally understand the debate over shock tower delete cars. It's high dollar for sure and not my style. I am rebuilding the front end on my 68 Cougar. I just went with Open Tracker upper and lower arms, Viking coil overs and a Hotchkis lower cross member. Total spend is about 2K. That's plenty improvement for my needs.

[Dumpling]

If headers and sparkplugs are the only concerns, wouldn't welding in a flat plate on the inner side of the towers give sufficient clearance?

[Gaugster]

If headers and sparkplugs are the only concerns, wouldn't welding in a flat plate on the inner side of the towers give sufficient clearance?

That is the first step but does not leave any room for factory springs, shocks etc...

[Tunnelwedge]

That belt is awesome. It makes my single tiny belt feel puny.
I see a lot of weight creep.

[TomP]

Seems a lot of them think they are converting the car to an independent front suspension. As if it wasn't already. Because the kits for 1948 and earlier Fords say that. But then these people are sometimes in charge of the rules like at a circle track a local guy raced at. They would not allow any Ford engines except a Y-Block because "no angle plug heads"

[427Fastback]

Notched towers in my 67. All stock front suspension but all highly modified... Mustang II style front suspension in my mind is a pretty blanketed term. Most of the time it does not apply..  Cory

[Heo]

Stepsons Fairlane had drumbrakes worn out suspension etc so we put in a Jaguar XJ6 front suspension
Bolted in relatively light unit with big ventilated discs, power r/p,