back in the saddle in a 78 II.

[southernyankey1]

Hi all,
I just picked up a 78 mustang II w 2.3 4spd and Ttops. Basically the same car I drove in High School. I have access to a V8 ghia donor. I am going to make a KC clone sans the cheesy graphics with a T5 and 9in rear(3.73). I have had several Fox bodies and they were great - but everyone and their brother has one too. I always loved my 78 in HS (that was an orange King Cobra) and I want to build this to be a low profile monster. Already have the engine 347 dart block AFR heads forged internals. Planning on a 5 lug conversion and 4 wheel disc. Im familiar with 4 link setups but I know nothing about leaf springs. Has anyone ever put a 4link in a II? I need a rear suspension that can handle the 400 or so hp that Im gonna throw at it. Headers - I had a set on my KC that the no 1 tube ran under the suspension(nightmare) Where can I get a set that wont do that? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[78CobraII]

I've seen quite a few drag-racing MII's with ladder bars, but none with a 4-link setup. I've been wondering if a 4-link kit for a '65 Mustang could be modified to fit a MII. The leaf spring sizes are similar, but the MII has no rear subframe and is slightly narrower, but with a little cutting and welding I think its possible.

What you need is a kit with the non-parallel links (like the Fox Mustang rear) so that you don't have to use a panhard bar. I saw one in a magazine last night, so I'll get you a link.

 

[78CobraII]

Or you can add a half spring to the passenger side spring pack and some traction bars and call it a day!

 

[78CobraII]

If you have money to burn (approx $1800) you can get the "g-Bar Canted-4-Bar Suspension System" from Chris Alston Chassisworks (Chris Alston's Chassisworks). The advantage of this one is that it does not have a panhard bar, and it has its own subframe. So you order one for a '65 Mustang, bolt the lower arms to the MII front leaf spring mounts, and weld or cut as necessary to attach the subframe to the bottom of your MII. If the front halves of the MII leaf springs are a different length from that of a 1965 Mustang, you may have to shorten or lengthen the lower arm a bit, but that shouldn't be to hard. Your mileage may vary!

A cheaper possibility that also skips the panhard bar is this triangulated 4 link kit from Paul Horton's Welder Series (Welder Series Online Store - Street Rod and Hot Rod Parts Kits Ready-to-Weld) for $325. The problem with this one is that you have to do a lot more work to determine mounting points.

I think that any solution that drops the panhard bar is really going to simplify your fuel tank and exhaust issues.

Ah, one more thing...400 HP + Mustang II T-Top = welded subframe connectors.

Let us know how the project goes!