• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Negative Wedge Kit Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter 04mustang70
  • Start date Start date Dec 27, 2007
0

04mustang70

Member
Jun 27, 2007
88
0
7
Twin Lakes, WI
Dec 27, 2007
#1
  • Dec 27, 2007
  • #1
I have a 70 Mach 1 that I am working on. I plan on doing a 1" shelby drop that I understand won't stress the ball joint and won't require a negative wedge kit. My question is after the shelby drop can I cut the coils to further lower the car without stressing the ball joints or will I need a negative wedge kit if I cut coils and do the 1" shelby drop? How much of the coil needs to be cut to get it to drop 1 inch? Sorry for the rookie question but can't find the answer after searching. Thanks
 

fvike

Member
Aug 24, 2004
335
0
16
Mosjøen, Norway
Dec 27, 2007
#2
  • Dec 27, 2007
  • #2
You don't need to cut the coil at all. The Shelby 1" drop (relocating the upper A-arm) will lower the car with 1". If I get you correct, you want to lower the car a total of 2" ?
I'd rather get some lowering coils, rather than cutting the oil coils. The reason is that a coil that has been cut has the right lenght you want, but not the stiffness/softness. You got a say 6" coil with the softness of a 7" coil. There is a good chance you would bottom out on heavy compression.

I recommend 620LB coil springs; I had them before I got coil-overs
http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/itemdy01.asp?T1=GT515+01&Category=Suspension+%26+Steering&subCategory=Front+%26+Rear+Springs&CatKey=EMUSTANG
Also, TCP has some new progressive springs that looks interesting:
http://www.totalcontrolproducts.com/vr_springs.html
 

Hack

15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2004
1,945
13
69
Minneapolis
Dec 27, 2007
#3
  • Dec 27, 2007
  • #3
You can do a Shelby 1" UCA drop and the suspension will move through its full travel without damaging the upper ball joint. Therefore you can put any spring you would like in the car. The UCA will hit its bump stop before the upper ball joint binds.

Heavier coil springs might not be a bad idea, but you could always cut yours and see how you like it first..

edit: I can't tell you how much to cut, but cut about 1/4 of a coil at a time and then after reassembly drive around the block to make sure everything has settled. The suspension will be too high if you don't drive the car at a minimum around the block. I would recommend you try it out with just the UCA relocation prior to cutting the spring at all.
 
B

bnickel

Founding Member
Aug 21, 2002
5,640
3
77
lubbock, texas
Dec 27, 2007
#4
  • Dec 27, 2007
  • #4
the 1" shelby/arning drop will NOT lower the car 1", at most it will lower it 1/2" , the lower mounting point simply gives the car a better camber curve do the new position of the control arm, any drop in ride height you get from it is just a bonus. i'd go ahead and do the 1" UCA drop for the added handling benefit and cut the coil springs if you want it lower and see how you like the ride, you can always get a dropped spring later if you don't like the ride with cut coils.
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Dec 27, 2007
#5
  • Dec 27, 2007
  • #5
to fully answer your question, you do not need the negative wedge kit with the 1" shelby drop. the wedge kit will allow the upper arm to be lowered 2" though, but it stresses the upper arm right behind the ball joint where it is weakest.
 

zookeeper

Founding Member
Aug 25, 2001
3,415
63
109
Rogue River, Oregon
Dec 28, 2007
#6
  • Dec 28, 2007
  • #6
When I did the drop on mine, dropping the A-arm 1" resulted in 3/4" drop of the car. I then cut one full coil (one half coil at a time) to get the car to sit where I wanted. Now that I've put the car on a diet, it sits about an inch and change higher, so it's time to cut the springs again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
World Touring UCAs
  • gmgouin
  • Nov 17, 2024
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
206
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Nov 19, 2024
gmgouin
G
M
Engine Unexplainable Exhaust Pop and Gurgle
  • Mrnissen122
  • Feb 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
460
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 18, 2026
Noobz347
X
Free VE Table Corrections — Drop Your MSQ and a Datalog, I'll Do the Rest
  • X-cam34
  • Apr 12, 2026
  • Digital Self-tuning Forum
Replies
8
Views
272
Digital Self-tuning Forum May 21, 2026
X-cam34
X
Progress Thread Progress Thread- From6to8's 95 GT/Saleen Supercharged 331 install
  • from6to8
  • Mar 22, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
712
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 6, 2026
from6to8
A definitive answer to the question of how much height Energy Suspension isolators add
  • 2000xp8
  • May 20, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
242
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 20, 2025
2000xp8
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?