Thread: My first build

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Hi,

I'm new here but, I've played with early mustangs for a while. I went through the rust repair and rebuild on my the front end of my first mustang. I ended up with a "new" 40 year old suspension. If I were to do another one in that condition I would cut off the front end and replace in with a MII type front clip. You will pick-up better handling, steering, more brake options, and more room. It sounds like a big step for a first build but I think it is worth considering.

Chuck

I agree that you should find a machine shop that will educate you along with the machine work. I always found that educating the customer got lots more return business and good word of mouth. Rebuilding the front end on these is a pain compared to just about anything and the result is sketchy if you can't find an alignment shop that actually knows what to do with it. I am semi-handy with tools so I do it at home. If you replace the old suspension pieces with original style rubber, it will drive much better than now. You can elect to use the polygraphite bushings to tighten things up but that transmits a lot of noise and fury. Modern tires and newer rims are also a major improvement in these cars handling. The original rims were riveted and squirm like crazy with radials so they toss full size hubcaps every time you turn a corner and skreek incessantly while cruising.

Replacing the front end gets expensive in a rush. OEM style parts aren't too bad and they benefit from newer processes. A complete swap to M2 is spendy and time consuming and not worth the effort for a cruiser if that's all you use it for. Another alternative is the RRS front end that replaces most of the worst Ford engineers did on the front end. There are folks still driving these cars cross country to car shows that the FCA puts on so don't give up on it just yet.