Convertible questions. Need the truth.

[Idwitheld-1`]

Educate me. Back it up with data (please). Can we eliminate the BS and falsehoods that have been floating around since the begining of Ford. Ok then, lets get started.

1. What is the weight difference between same year convertibles and coupes? (stock for stock)

2. Do convertibles use different frames than same year coupes?

3. Are convertible frames less rigid (more flex) than same year coupes? If so why?

4. Do convertibles have more front end alignment issues? If so, why?

Many thanks for your input.

 

[Fastcat]

3. Convertibles are WAY more flexible because it doesnt have a solid roof.... Thats the only reason

 

[PNY PWR]

I have owned both a 91 LX vert. and my current 90 LX hatch.

There are extra braces on the verts to make up for the roof being gone. We weighed my 91 vert and a similar hardtop coupe, there was about 300# difference.

Same subframes, but with the added bracing.

Vert is probably less rigid even with the added factory bracing. SFC's are needed even more on verts.

Never had or heard of more front end issues on the verts vs. hardtops.

These are just my experiences. Don't have any documentation. Individual results may vary.

 

[HISSIN50]

Id, verts rule!

 

[ironmedic]

hard to find documentation on that stuff. why are u so worried about documentation? school project or something?

my vert squeeks alot so i installed new subframes and it barely squeeks now. you can tell the body is flexible because when u put them on a spider lift, you cannot open your doors. i know that for a fact because i broke my door handle trying to open my vert doors on a spider lift.

 

[Idwitheld-1`]

Id, verts rule!

Show-off!

I am asking because this dork at the local Tireshop is telling me that the car is "cut up" and won't necessarily align properly (even though he claims he test drove it and it was "good to go"). He even suggested that the frame was bent (after I complain about the vibration in the steering wheel). My position was that the frame did not bend in the 7 days since I had picked up the car (1st alignment). Also, when you drive a car every day for 17 years you know when there is a problem. When your a tire jockey and test drive a car for 4 minutes, this does not make you an expert on convertibles (ASC Mclaren).

So then he brags of how he has worked on 4 Mclarens and has owned a Saleen and a couple of GT's and how he knows mustangs. So I say that between me and my girl friend we have owned: 9 Saleen's, 3GT's (one was a 10 second car), 1 Cobra convertible and a Mac...that's 14 Mustangs to your 3...is this a numbers game because I think we win.

Anways, I will not be going back to that shop.

 

[hbk_136]

1. Stock for stock, an SN95 convertible weighs 170#s more than a coupe.

 

[kdog_x]

Just went for emissions, the slip says 3641 lbs (That was me and the emissions guy too). I weigh about 200lbs, so did the other guy. I've got an 88 GT Vert. Not sure what a coupe weighs though.

 

[HISSIN50]

Show-off!

I am asking because this dork at the local Tireshop is telling me that the car is "cut up" and won't necessarily align properly (even though he claims he test drove it and it was "good to go"). He even suggested that the frame was bent (after I complain about the vibration in the steering wheel). My position was that the frame did not bend in the 7 days since I had picked up the car (1st alignment). Also, when you drive a car every day for 17 years you know when there is a problem. When your a tire jockey and test drive a car for 4 minutes, this does not make you an expert on convertibles (ASC Mclaren).

So then he brags of how he has worked on 4 Mclarens and has owned a Saleen and a couple of GT's and how he knows mustangs. So I say that between me and my girl friend we have owned: 9 Saleen's, 3GT's (one was a 10 second car), 1 Cobra convertible and a Mac...that's 14 Mustangs to your 3...is this a numbers game because I think we win.

Anways, I will not be going back to that shop.

i aint no show off. im just kinda' opinionated.

i think you answered your own question - based on your exchange with the tire dude. did you wash your shoes after you left?

i sorta pay attention to vert specific stuff and i have heard the alignment thing once (recently, here or in the corral). i wrote it off as BS, as no one else said anything (one guy having had a problem does not make it ideosynchratic). the verts have a lot of extra bolstering and reinforcement. all mustangs are flimsy - i hate unibodies, but a unibody is a unibody, IMHO.

as for the alignment, i dont know exactly what the specs on the Mac are (i dig that thing). i know on my 88 GT vert, the castor was not where i wanted it, but there was not much the pit guy could do. so i accepted it (i know this is true and it's fine till i get CC plates).

as for the frame, ummmm, most 5.0 stangs have slightly tweaked frames. we live with it and use subframe connectors, etc to help.

i would take it elsewhere for an opinion (as im sure you already figured out. LOL) - did Mr Mustang check the rest of the suspension for wear items? i know you are busy and dont get a chance to do that stuff a lot.

ok, im not making sense, so i think im done (for now). good luck.