M-2005-FR3 Handling Pack opinions

[wjones14]

I'm thinking about buying this kit from the Ford Racing Parts catalog, for my otherwise bone-stock '05 GT.

Just wondering if anyone has already installed one, and if there were any issues at all? Someone on another forum mentioned that in some cases the rear end shifts to one side or the other when the car is lowered, and you need to install an adjustable panhard bar to re-center the rear end. Actually he said this happens in most cases. (I'm just curious if an adjustable panhard is required in most cases, why it doesn't come with the kit?)

The other thing is, this is a daily driver, so I don't want to make the car so stiff it's uncomfortable. Is it a huge difference in stiffness?

Thanks.

 

[rdmorrow]

I just ordered some of the components that are part of the FR Handling Pack. I ordered the shocks and struts. The strut brace is very similar to Steeda's.
I know that the shocks and struts are tuned for lowered mustangs. Steeda claims that they work well with the Steeda Ultra Light springs.
Just an FYI, any time you lower your mustang it is going to change the geometry. The rear end should not be too bad. The front wheels will probably have negative camber, requiring you to adjust the camber with an alignment/strut adjustment.
If you have 17 or 18 in. wheels, it should not be too bad. It will always ride a bit rougher if you lower it. I run 20X8.5's, and I am barely within the specs for camber. 20's with thin rubber result in a pretty rough ride. Overall, I believe that FR parts are pretty good. I went with the Steeda Ultra Lights because these springs will not pre-load the shocks as much as the Eibachs.
RD in Houston

 

[Mr_Q]

The Ford Racing springs or any springs that doesn't drop the front or back more than 1.25"-1.5" will ensure you don't need to worry about an adjustable panhard bar. You will be able to align the car within 1% of specs.

Much lower than that and you will need more hardware to set it up proper.

The ride will be stiffer, yes, but in a good way. The car in stock form nose dives way too much. Hell, it's almost an unsafe about of nose dive on emergency stops. The amount of weight transfer to the front is just horrid!

I strongly suggest the Ford Racing springs and shocks on any Mustang. Unless you are an old grumpy dude who only likes Sunday cruises.

 

[kooldawg6]

I can attest to the nose dive issue. In my '00 I had to panic stop one time and I thought the back tires were going to come off the ground!!!!! ABS worked really well!!! I did not like that feeling at all...that and nearly smashing the entire front end in on my 6 month old Stang...

 

[bronco78]

As the rear has no alignment capability built in... and the OEM specs on what is acceptable out of the factory door is wide. You could be ok when you drop the rear, or you could be off. . No matter what, when you lower the rear,, it will move the axle to the side. If your ok with driving down the rode sideways.. Then leave it. If your particular car was built (within spec) with a small amount of off set to the right, lowering it might actually bring the axle closer to center under the chassis. My S197 rear axle is dead center... So I know when I install the rear springs my axle will be off set to the left. That means I'll NEED an adjustable panhard bar to correct the suspension and alignment.

 

[McQueens Dream]

we have just the springs on my wife's car, and they are far better than stock, they are not too harsh, but if you hit big cracks in the road, you know it's lowered. and yes, the rear end on her car kicked to the left when they installed the springs, but it is fine driving, and it didn't move much. you have to take a tape and measure it to really tell.

 

[Mr_Q]

"...but it is fine driving, and it didn't move much. you have to take a tape and measure it to really tell."

Exactly, it's barely a factor. Hence why Ford Racing does not include nor require an adjustable Panhard bar. Neither do any of the other kits out there that only lower the car 1"-1.25".

 

[McQueens Dream]

we had our springs installed by the dealer we bought the car from, and they noticed the rear end was kicked over a little, but it is well within range of Ford's specs. the adjustable panhard bars are for the people who want it "perfect" and don't mind spending the extra money to move it back about 1/2", which is all ours is off. plus the people who want to be able to adjust their suspension. ours is a daily driver, so all that don't mean anything to us, as long as it goes, my wife is happy with it...

 

[bronco78]

"...but it is fine driving, and it didn't move much. you have to take a tape and measure it to really tell."

Exactly, it's barely a factor. Hence why Ford Racing does not include nor require an adjustable Panhard bar. Neither do any of the other kits out there that only lower the car 1"-1.25".

Your right,, and as long as close enough is good enough for you,, It should be fine.

Each car that comes off the line is different, what works for one, may not be "fine" for another.


I think most on a performance oriented site like this one would prefer not to drive a vehicle that moves down the road sideways .. but to each his own.

At least have a four wheel alignment done.. so you KNOW what you dealing with,, and not just assuming it is right because someplace trying to get you to buy their kit says addition parts are not required.

 

[Mr_Q]

First, you are way over blowing this. Your car won't be driving down the road sideways! Not even close.

Second, I *always* get a four wheel allignment when I do suspension mods. That's also how I know that you can get the car within 1% of stock specs while retaining the stock panhard bar.

I never assume.

 

[McQueens Dream]

First, you are way over blowing this. Your car won't be driving down the road sideways! Not even close.

Second, I *always* get a four wheel allignment when I do suspension mods. That's also how I know that you can get the car within 1% of stock specs while retaining the stock panhard bar.

I never assume.

well said! also, here's something to think about, if the rear end kicks over when you drop it, don't it stand to reason, it's off a little from the factory anyway? at least that's how i see it, it's just easier to tell once the rear is lowered down some...but yes, i too got a 4 wheel alignment when ours was done. that's the reason i paid $400 for the install versus $125 that i could have got it done for. i figure a Ford dealer knows what they are doing...

 

[bronco78]

Ok ok ok I give, to each his own. I've been building cars, trucks and motorcycles for about 30 years.. and ya, I am to the point, I'm a bit picky.. Some things are important to some, and not to others. No big deal to me. Thanks for the discussion, no hard feelings. In 12-18 months, I'll get to start modding mine.. Till I get back home.. I get to read about yours