66 rear lift

[beatlestang]

I'm a new enthusiast to mustangs, bought a 66 coupe that had a I-6 converted to 302 windsor, 5 lugs. I'm trying to lift the rear end up to fit 17X8 wheels. The 15x7's rub. What would be the best way do lift the rear end, I hear the airshocks might not be the way to go, shackles have been recommended.

 

[302 coupe]

new springs are what you need to fix the problem, rather than cover it up. Also, keep in mind that wheels with the incorrect backspacing, or improperly sized tires, can rub no matter what you do.

 

[beatlestang]

thanks, any particular springs in mind?

 

[washMO66]

Mustangs plus or any aftermarket parts shop carrys rear leafs. You can go anywhere from stock to a 5 1/2 leaf spring. Also you can get them in a regular eye (stock ride height) mid eye (slightly lowered) or reverse eye (about 2" low in the rear)

Just keep in mind that you can fit a 17X8" wheel but you need to have proper backspacing on the wheel. I run a 16X8" with 4.5" of BS on a reverse eye spring with n tire rub. I should add that my rear quarter wheel wells inside lip has been shaved (when the quarters were replaced). You can trim them down some on the car pretty easily.

As far as the leafs for the street I would go anywhere from a 4 to 4.5 leaf. I run a 5 leaf but I wanted soething a little stiffer on my 9" for Drag Racing.

Hope this helps, welcome to Stangnet..

 

[Az Pete]

I wanted a lift on my '66 because I went for the '60's look. I found rear leafs from JC Whitney with a 5" lift built in. The car had extended shackles when I bought it so I just took them and cut them to the length I needed to get the perfect ride I wanted. Shackles do not show from under the car and it is what I was looking for. So far, 5000 miles or so on the springs and no problems.

 

[iskwezm]

17X8's fit without a lift