Build Thread '83 T-top Coupe - Welding Holes in My Rear

[CarMichael Angelo]

This thread now has me searching my local classifieds for an IRS now.

Dave will have one for sale, give him a minute

 

[RaggedGT]

Not much on support or encouragement , are ya mike?

 

[90sickfox]

That's very kind of you to say, and I'm very impressed that you're even considering fabricating your own suspension. I'm sorry to say that this sort of thing is outside of my wheelhouse, though I like soaking up the experience of others. I'll just throw in a couple of observations that I haven't seen already addressed. What you've put forth should work, but if the differential housing to the wheel hub center is not in line, then shortening the rear track increases the angles of the CV joints to compensate for the offset. I would measure/calculate the range of possible angles and ensure they are well within the CV joint limits. A quick search turned up CV joint types and common limits: http://www.gknservice.com/gb/passenger_cars/constant_velocity_joints.html

From what I've read on the subject of improving fox handling, the big players spend a lot of time trying to eliminate the understeer, meaning that it's the front suspension and tire that needs the most improvement. And, before you entirely convince yourself that IRS is the way to go, I'd encourage you to read this from Bruce Griggs: http://www.griggsracing.com/pdfFiles/IRS vs Stick Axle Debate.pdf

Though it would be pretty awesome to see someone customize their own suspension, my gut says it will be be chalk full of unforeseen issues, less effective than off the shelf systems, very time consuming, and ultimately more expensive. So, the coolness of doing it yourself and the props from us on your fab skills are the only upside I see.

I wonder if Griggs still feels like that. That was in 2007. Speaking from experience.... the IRS feels way better than a SRA. In a true performance driving situation i could see the SRA being less expensive in the long haul. However, on the street nothing compares to the IRS in comfort or handling. You can make a SRA carve corners.... you can also lower a diesel truck.

There are pros and cons to everything...

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Another view of that pretty mustang. Are those Maier flares?

Continued thinking......

 

[Hoytster]

Another view of that pretty mustang. Are those Maier flares?

Continued thinking......

Yep, Maier Racing flares. You can get them in 1.5" or 3" (I personally am going with 1.5"). I like the fact they replace the entire front fender and can be blended into the back quarter fairly easily. I don't like riveted or bonded on flares. Last I talked to them, they can also offset the front fender wheel opening to match offset control arms so you don't have that "too far forward" look of the front tires.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Yep, Maier Racing flares. You can get them in 1.5" or 3" (I personally am going with 1.5"). I like the fact they replace the entire front fender and can be blended into the back quarter fairly easily. I don't like riveted or bonded on flares. Last I talked to them, they can also offset the front fender wheel opening to match offset control arms so you don't have that "too far forward" look of the front tires.

Are they metal?

 

[Mustang5L5]

Dave, given your skill-set. I'm surprised you aren't seriously considering that vs trying to add the extra width inward. That coupe looks awesome. Get the IRS installed as is, and move onto other areas of rthe car

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Dave, given your skill-set. I'm surprised you aren't seriously considering that vs trying to add the extra width inward. That coupe looks awesome. Get the IRS installed as is, and move onto other areas of rthe car

Unfortunately ‘as is’ needs some work. No real mods other than a hardtail. Some pricey bushings and stuff like that.

 

[Hoytster]

Are they metal?

Fiberglass. So yes, the rear will needed to be bonded and then blended. I know it's hard to not get a line/crack to appear where the two materials meet together, but I've seen it done successfully. And I know you have skillz

 

[bird_dog0347]

Unfortunately ‘as is’ needs some work. No real mods other than a hardtail. Some pricey bushings and stuff like that.

I went with poly bushings from Prothane for my IRS in the control arms, cradle mount, and pumpkin mount. I have NO complaints about it and was like $100 $180ish instead of $700...

Edit to fix amount, and links below for where to buy the bushings.

 

[bird_dog0347]

Amazon product ASIN B00388070EView: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00388070E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon product ASIN B00387S08GView: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00387S08G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon product ASIN B0038807J0View: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038807J0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon product ASIN B003882A0OView: https://www.amazon.com/Prothane-6-311-Rear-Control-Bushing/dp/B003882A0O/ref=sr_1_10?s=automotive&srs=2599104011&ie=UTF8&qid=1524594003&vehicle=2004-54-688-718---6-7-3598--1-1-2392--1-0&sr=1-10&ymm=2004%3Aford%3Amustang

 

[FoxMustangLvr]

Amazon product ASIN B00388070EView: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00388070E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon product ASIN B00387S08GView: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00387S08G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon product ASIN B0038807J0View: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038807J0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon product ASIN B003882A0OView: https://www.amazon.com/Prothane-6-311-Rear-Control-Bushing/dp/B003882A0O/ref=sr_1_10?s=automotive&srs=2599104011&ie=UTF8&qid=1524594003&vehicle=2004-54-688-718---6-7-3598--1-1-2392--1-0&sr=1-10&ymm=2004%3Aford%3Amustang

^^This^^

 

[Davedacarpainter]

Fiberglass. So yes, the rear will needed to be bonded and then blended. I know it's hard to not get a line/crack to appear where the two materials meet together, but I've seen it done successfully. And I know you have skillz

Hummm......I could make them out of scrap metal for next to nothing, just a little time is all.

 

[Hoytster]

Hummm......I could make them out of scrap metal for next to nothing, just a little time is all.

If you do, you can make me a set while you're at it.

 

[Mstng93SSP]

Would capri rear quarters give more room for the rear tire, or were they just a external cosmetic appearance feature?

 

[CarMichael Angelo]

Just remember Dave,....

For every cool freaking car like the one posted above, 7 out of 10 will criticize the end result, because the body was molested.

Whether you add flares, or go the wide body additions to the existing sheet metal...

70 percent of the mustang community will dog the car, regardless of the work you put in it.

The rest of the open minded minority are members here.

My red car got killed by the greater percentage of online "critics" .i always heard " Not my cup of tea but"....from over 2/3rds of the people that even bothered to comment.
The other 1/3rd that tolerates body modifications will love your car if it comes out looking like the car in the pics above.

Just depends on how thick your skin is.

As for me,....I'll admit it. I've said it before.

I build a car to not get criticized by the majority.

 

[Hoytster]

If you do, you can make me a set while you're at it.

I'll hard tail mount your IRS and help with the subframes..... or at least give you moral support. I mean, you are kind of copying my build ideas now

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I'll hard tail mount your IRS and help with the subframes..... or at least give you moral support. I mean, you are kind of copying my build ideas now

Lol, yeah I am!

 

[bird_dog0347]

Just remember Dave,....

For every cool freaking car like the one posted above, 7 out of 10 will criticize the end result, because the body was molested.

Whether you add flares, or go the wide body additions to the existing sheet metal...

70 percent of the mustang community will dog the car, regardless of the work you put in it.

The rest of the open minded minority are members here.

My red car got killed by the greater percentage of online "critics" .i always heard " Not my cup of tea but"....from over 2/3rds of the people that even bothered to comment.
The other 1/3rd that tolerates body modifications will love your car if it comes out looking like the car in the pics above.

Just depends on how thick your skin is.

As for me,....I'll admit it. I've said it before.

I build a car to not get criticized by the majority.

If he's gonna paint it green, name it booger, and monkey with his rear end... he might as well molest the body.

 

[Davedacarpainter]

I'll hard tail mount your IRS and help with the subframes..... or at least give you moral support. I mean, you are kind of copying my build ideas now

Last comment was just in fun.

To make the quarters look like that flare I will have to cut the skin off and mini tub the outer tub with a taper leading to the rockers. Then I’ll start fitting the original skin back to it. Trim here and there, split parts of the panel and patch, patch, patch.

It won’t be a new skin I’m making, I’ll be heavily modifying the original.