Thread: Front Suspention

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Has anyone converted a 1978 Ford Thunderbird front-end to a mustang ll Rack & Pinion? I need to stiffen up the steering and put on Wilwood disc brakes to stop this beast. I also need the bigger rotors that come with the Mustang ll. Any info would be much very appreciated. Thanks.

You would be much farther ahead to simply rebuild your T-bird suspension in a performance direction. Take the car into an alignment shop and get a good diagnostic. There are a number of rebuild kits out there to improve the suspension and steering that are guaranteed to work. Trying to improve a large intermediate like the T-bird with small car parts (MII) is not going to gain you anything but headaches.
A set of poly bushings, good shocks and some low profile tires/wheels will put you well on your way without tearing the car up.
Mark

Originally Posted by dstiebs1

Has anyone converted a 1978 Ford Thunderbird front-end to a mustang ll Rack & Pinion? I need to stiffen up the steering and put on Wilwood disc brakes to stop this beast. I also need the bigger rotors that come with the Mustang ll. Any info would be much very appreciated. Thanks.

I'm not sure how it compares with your Thunderbird but I once installed a power & pinion steering to a '64 Ford Galaxie using a kit from Wurth-it Designs. They used a GM center-steer R&P from a "J" car. The company sucked but the conversion worked well until I got t-boned in an intersection....argh!

Flaming River is also making a rack & pinion conversion kit for the early Galaxies that might give you some ideas. Obviously, whatever rack you choose will have be the right length and mounted to work with your lower A-arms so not to create bumpsteer.

Good luck with your search and keep us posted.

Oh, just to clarify....I'm talking about adding rack & pinion to the existing suspension, not replacing the entire suspension. As Mark said, you can "stiffen" the Tbird suspension with performance shocks, springs, urethane bushings, sway bars, tires etc. without major modification to the chassis

If you wanted to stay with a stock style powersteering gearbox, check with Redhead Steering...they may have a performance oriented gearbox to fit your car or might be able to custom build yours....just a thought https://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/

Thanks Guys. Good idea's. I thought I should get at least 11" Rotors and change the spindles so I can use 4 or 6 piston calipers. That was the thought behind the Mustang ll front end. I'll look into a rack setup. Thanks Guys.

Originally Posted by dstiebs1

Thanks Guys. Good idea's. I thought I should get at least 11" Rotors and change the spindles so I can use 4 or 6 piston calipers. That was the thought behind the Mustang ll front end. I'll look into a rack setup. Thanks Guys.

The stock rotors are 10.72", which is pretty darn close to 11", and the 77/78 Tbird spindles are often used for disc brake conversions on the earlier 60's Galaxies, etc. If you still want bigger rotors, I'm guessing Wilwood and other make larger rotor options to fit your spindles and may also have a bracket to accommodate bigger calipers.

Just curious what engine you have in this "beast" that you feel needs more stopping power....

Also, you haven't mentioned what kind/size wheels you're running....a larger rotor will probably require a larger diameter wheel....

Thanks for the info. I am restoring a 78 T-bird and making it into a Street/Strip toy. I pulled out the 351ci and replacing it with 460ci Stroked to a 545ci forged lower-end Re-doing the complete drive train to take this HP, Currie Tru-Trac 3.50, C6 with a 2800 stall converter rated for 1000hp, and I just want the car to stop. Threw on a set of Aluminum Heads to lighten it a little. This is my first time building a Ford so I fish around a little for info. I was planing on using 17" wheels. Thanks for your interest.

Use rotors/spindles from Lincoln Mk8??

Wilwood or Baer would be the next websites I'd visit if I were in your shoes.

Both proven performers. That's my 2 cents.