It looked so simple at first!

[estevan62274]

Awesome work!

She looks bad A$$!!

[GySgtFrank]

Thanks. Getting the Maximum Motorsports lower control arms fitted and welded in now. At least I will be if I quit trying to burn the car down, Stupid sound deadener burns real good when you get it too hot.

[GySgtFrank]

Here's the latest little bit. Firstly I finally got the panhard bar axle mount located, modified, and welded in. I had to narrow the G Force mount a little to accomodate my new shock locations and integrate it with my new inside lower control arm mounting tab. Trying to locate (and hold) the mount in the proper plane for 3 different axes was a pain, got it done though.


panhard bar axle mount by GySgtFrank, on Flickr

Next came the new lower control arms for the axle. I only have the driver's side done for now, starting on the passenger side in AM. Used the Maximum Motorsports extreme duty arms for the Fox body Mustang. They have a captured Heim style joint and should eliminate the bind from the stock rubber bushed arms without being a noise monster like normal Heim joints.


lower control arm - front mount by GySgtFrank, on Flickr


lower control arm - rear mount by GySgtFrank, on Flickr

They don't look like much, but they were a pain in the butt to get them in there at the correct angle. Used the stock outside control arm mounting tab on the body and axle so I didn't get them out of alignment. It also makes it easier to get an identical copy on the other side. The arms are quite a bit wider so I had to fabricate the inside mounting tabs on both ends.

Once I get the other side done, it's on to figuring out how to get the Maximum Motorsport swaybar mounted. I love a challenge.

[GySgtFrank]

Had a request for more pics of the body side panhard bar mount.


panhard body mount - inside by GySgtFrank, on Flickr


panhard body mount - outside by GySgtFrank, on Flickr

It's one of the last of the G-Force Engineering panhard kits that I purchased when he was clearing his stock so he could retire. I installed it when I was doing my engine swap to free up the room for the over the axle dual exhaust. The Mustang bar I have is considerably longer. It could have been made to work, but I already had the G-Force bar. So I modified the G-Force provided axle mount to clear all the craziness at that end and left the body side mount alone. Good thing I picked up a driveline dial protractor, it has come in very handy.

You can see the temporary bar tack welded between the axle and frame in the inside view if you look close. Welded it solid once I had it in the correct stock position. Did this until I get all of my arms and swaybar finalized so that it does not move and mess me up. Then I'll grind out the tack welds, remove the temporary supports, and it should be in the proper position, well cross my fingers and hope anyway.

[RedR1]

What sized front tires are you running? are you going to modify the metal and run wider up front as well, or have sizeably larger rears than the front?

Beasty build. i didn't know it was this in-depth.

[GySgtFrank]

Originally Posted by RedR1

What sized front tires are you running? are you going to modify the metal and run wider up front as well, or have sizeably larger rears than the front?

Beasty build. i didn't know it was this in-depth.

Now you know why I practically live in the shop as much as I can stand it.

The wheels I got came with almost new 235/45 17s on 8 1/2" wheels. I'll be trying to figure out how to use the tires, but I'll most likely have to step down in size to a 235/40 or shorter so I can keep the front low. Have to see when I get to that part.

There will be a lot of modification in the front to go as wide as I can. The K member will be an aftermarket tubular Mustang setup with the SN95 Cobra brakes and rack. Planning on going with an SLA setup to eliminate the struts and free up some room. Sooo... a little more modification will just add to the fun.

When I get to bodywork I need to look at reshaping the front wheel wells so the 17s look right on the first gen. Most 17s look too big in the wheel wells up front (personal opinion). Haven't got much choice if I want to run the 13" front brakes though. Again, will need to look at it when I get to that point.

I'm trying to avoid the wide body modification if I can and still get a decent size tire under there. Gotta do it the hard way.

[GySgtFrank]

Might as well post this while I'm waiting for the primer to dry.


third link enclosure by GySgtFrank, on Flickr

Have to put reinforcement plates above the lower control arm mounts, then I'm done with fabricating inside the car. I think.

[GySgtFrank]

dragster2 by GySgtFrank, on Flickr


dragster3 by GySgtFrank, on Flickr

Looks really dumb with the stock wheels up front and the 17s in the rear. It's sitting a little high in the rear, but not as much as the difference in tire sizes makes it look. Control arms are all in and the floor pan is sealed back up. Waiting oh so patiently for swaybar parts to get here. :toetap:

[JL1RX7]

I would talk smack Gunny, but shit man that looks good. I know you still have the front to do I know it has to feel good to get it rolling!

[GySgtFrank]

Originally Posted by JL1RX7

I would talk smack Gunny, but shit man that looks good. I know you still have the front to do I know it has to feel good to get it rolling!

Thankee kind sir. Have quite a bit left to do to finish the rear, but the suspension part of it is in. Had to get it moved as the crap was piling up under there pretty bad. I need to get the shop cleaned up before it gets to the point where I can't see the floor anymore.

Not sure whether I want to take it to DGRR like this though, it looks pretty lame with the stock wheels up front. Not too sure how well it would handle either.

[GySgtFrank]

The rear axle is complete and ready to drop back in. Brake lines on axle fabricated, sway bar mounted, reinforcements installed, final welding done, primered and painted. The weather finally warmed up enough to get the undercoating on today, so should be able to reinstall tomorrow when it's dry.


axle_complete1 by GySgtFrank, on Flickr


axle_complete2 by GySgtFrank, on Flickr

[GySgtFrank]

It's on it's own wheels and moving under it's own power again. Test drove it for a couple of miles getting it up to 55. Tracks straight, no rubbing, and nothing broke, so far. Must keep the demon Murphy away.

I have to take it down to have new exhaust pipes run over the axle tomorrow. They were a problem when I lowered it enough to compensate for the tire height. I had to remove all the tabs and bracing I was no longer using and reroute my fuel lines to make enough room to tuck the pipes up higher.

The pictures are of the modified interior, I'll take pictures of the completed suspension once they get it up on the lift tomorrow.


modified interior 1 by GySgtFrank, on Flickr


modified interior 2 by GySgtFrank, on Flickr


modified interior 3 by GySgtFrank, on Flickr

Plan on stitching up some black carpeting to go over the wheel wells and trimming up the plastic a little more, eventually.

[chibikougan]

Whooot!

[RedR1]

Look at this pimp wagon!!! Dude it's come a long way, and looks amazing. I can't wait to see it complete. we'll deffo have to do a proper photo shoot with your car when it's done, even if i have to fly out to KS

[GySgtFrank]

Originally Posted by chibikougan

Whooot!

Eventually I'll be bringing it up your direction cheebs. Might have to make a run to Great Falls when I do, so get on the deuce.

Originally Posted by RedR1

Look at this pimp wagon!!! Dude it's come a long way, and looks amazing. I can't wait to see it complete. we'll deffo have to do a proper photo shoot with your car when it's done, even if i have to fly out to KS

The adventure definitely continues. The exhaust shop says they can't run the pipes the way they have to go, mostly I don't think they want to take the time that would be necessary. I'm having them run it part of the way and I'll have to complete the complicated part myself. I knew I should have bought that pipe bender.