Adjustable front struts for Mustang who's to run?

Chris1529 · 02-23-2009, 11:32 AM

in my experience, the adjustable struts only fit an 87-up. They have larger front brakes and different spindles from the 79-86. The QA1's wouldn't fit my 84 model and Strange only lists their adjustable units for 87-up.

John Quinn · 02-23-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris1529

in my experience, the adjustable struts only fit an 87-up. They have larger front brakes and different spindles from the 79-86. The QA1's wouldn't fit my 84 model and Strange only lists their adjustable units for 87-up.

I am building my 85 using 94-95 spindles so that the 87 and up struts will fit. I have also been told those spindles will improve the handling. The spindles are a bolt in upgrade but need some minor accessories if you retain the old style struts. I believe a different tie rod emd is also used, I am at work and don't have the info at hand.
It is such a common swap that Late Model Restoration even has a kit.

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/...1&comp=LRSeven

Chris1529 · 02-23-2009, 01:01 PM

My car is a GT 350. I had to put a ball joint on it last spring before I left for Mooresville.
I got one for an 84 GT and it did not fit. I went back and asked for one for an 84 SVO and it fit.
My car, being a 20th anniversary model, must have a conglomeration of parts, but the adjustable struts still did not fit.
Chris Alstons chassis works also makes a double adjustable strut for the fox body cars.

I have run lakewoods on my car for 10 years.

Sean Marconette · 02-23-2009, 04:00 PM

Santuff if you have more money than you know what to do with, or QA-1's if you want the most bang for the buck. Works on my car.

Sean

west coast · 02-23-2009, 11:27 PM

Thanks everybody for the input. Still doing research don't have enough money for the Santuff or the Varistruts. The QA1 looks very good and shaves a few pounds off the front. Still have lots of work to do before the first race in May to the 90 Mustang. All ready aquired the Moroso front springs.

Wheels up everybody

Rory McNeil · 02-24-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by west coast

Thanks everybody for the input. Still doing research don't have enough money for the Santuff or the Varistruts. The QA1 looks very good and shaves a few pounds off the front. Still have lots of work to do before the first race in May to the 90 Mustang. All ready aquired the Moroso front springs.

Wheels up everybody

Let us know how you make out installing those Moroso front coils in your Mustang. I have a pair that I`d like to install in my car, but you can`t use a normal coil spring compressor on a FOX Mustang, and they are so long that I`ve never had any luck installing them by letting the lower control arms hang from the inner pivots. Anybody ever install these springs (uncut) in a FOX without using the factory type Ford spring compressor?

west coast · 02-24-2009, 11:03 PM

Rory I have only done it with about 5/8 of a coil cut out on a freinds car it was still not easy. I am going to try uncut when I buy some struts. I will let you know how it goes.

87gt50 · 02-25-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rory McNeil

Let us know how you make out installing those Moroso front coils in your Mustang. I have a pair that I`d like to install in my car, but you can`t use a normal coil spring compressor on a FOX Mustang, and they are so long that I`ve never had any luck installing them by letting the lower control arms hang from the inner pivots. Anybody ever install these springs (uncut) in a FOX without using the factory type Ford spring compressor?

I'm not familiar with how the factory type Ford spring compressor looks like, but I have put in uncut Moroso dragsprings on my FOX using a compressor that I believe is designed to be universal, but also fits the Mercedes springs. Its a fine threaded rod that is inserted on ths inside of the spring, then put in removable brackets on the second coil top and bottom and compress until coil bind. (I usually secure the spring here with a strap to prevent it from being able to pop out at vany point.)
Raise the A-arm to "catch" the bottom of the spring, using a jack. When fully raised, start loosening the rod, and finally remove it through the hole in the A-arm located in the center of the spring seat and remove the brackets.

I found a picture (attached) of how this compressor looks like when in pieces. This is from a Swedish store, but I'm pretty sure you can find it in the US as well.

I hope this explanation is understandable and useful.

/Joakim, Sweden N/S 88 Mustang

02-23-2009, 11:32 AM	#1
Chris1529 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,366 Likes: 6 Liked 70 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Adjustable front struts for Mustang who's to run? in my experience, the adjustable struts only fit an 87-up. They have larger front brakes and different spindles from the 79-86. The QA1's wouldn't fit my 84 model and Strange only lists their adjustable units for 87-up. __________________ Chris Bowman The Mountain State Mustang 1984 Mustang GT350

02-23-2009, 01:01 PM	#3
Chris1529 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,366 Likes: 6 Liked 70 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Adjustable front struts for Mustang who's to run? My car is a GT 350. I had to put a ball joint on it last spring before I left for Mooresville. I got one for an 84 GT and it did not fit. I went back and asked for one for an 84 SVO and it fit. My car, being a 20th anniversary model, must have a conglomeration of parts, but the adjustable struts still did not fit. Chris Alstons chassis works also makes a double adjustable strut for the fox body cars. I have run lakewoods on my car for 10 years. __________________ Chris Bowman The Mountain State Mustang 1984 Mustang GT350

02-23-2009, 04:00 PM	#4
Sean Marconette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 977 Likes: 794 Liked 275 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Adjustable front struts for Mustang who's to run? Santuff if you have more money than you know what to do with, or QA-1's if you want the most bang for the buck. Works on my car. Sean __________________ Sean Marconette 84 Mustang 5060 SS/N

02-23-2009, 11:27 PM	#5
west coast Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Rainy Washington Posts: 609 Likes: 12 Liked 223 Times in 73 Posts	Re: Adjustable front struts for Mustang who's to run? Thanks everybody for the input. Still doing research don't have enough money for the Santuff or the Varistruts. The QA1 looks very good and shaves a few pounds off the front. Still have lots of work to do before the first race in May to the 90 Mustang. All ready aquired the Moroso front springs. Wheels up everybody

02-24-2009, 11:03 PM	#7
west coast Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Rainy Washington Posts: 609 Likes: 12 Liked 223 Times in 73 Posts	Re: Adjustable front struts for Mustang who's to run? Rory I have only done it with about 5/8 of a coil cut out on a freinds car it was still not easy. I am going to try uncut when I buy some struts. I will let you know how it goes.