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Talk me out of it…. Somehow!?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Twitchychancers
  • Start date Start date Sep 8, 2022

Twitchychancers

Member
Sep 7, 2022
4
2
13
Virginia
Sep 8, 2022
#1
  • Sep 8, 2022
  • #1
Good afternoon everyone!

I’m new to the mustang ownership side of the house. I just picked up a nearly all original 89 lx 5.0 AOD.

SO FAR, I’ve diagnosed and fixed the water pump, traced down the reason for the cruise control not working and have figured out why the map light wasn’t working. Still have some things on my plate and am pretty satisfied with her.

The only thing I’m not in love with are the rims and the ride height. I have my eyes on the Cobra rims with some low pros. My hope is this will clean up some of the look. I don’t want to mess with the way it rides but I want a slightly lower stance. Please talk me out of lowering her.

I’ve had some lowered cars in the past and always hated the ride. Is it even possible to salvage some ride quality for the look?
 

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Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time
15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2007
3,974
2,956
194
Middle of Maine
Sep 8, 2022
#2
  • Sep 8, 2022
  • #2
Ride quality is most influenced by the shocks/struts. Get some H&R springs and a great quality shock and strut. Preferably adjustable so that the ride quality can be tailored to your liking.
 

Twitchychancers

Member
Sep 7, 2022
4
2
13
Virginia
Sep 8, 2022
#3
  • Sep 8, 2022
  • #3
Bullitt347 said:
Ride quality is most influenced by the shocks/struts. Get some H&R springs and a great quality shock and strut. Preferably adjustable so that the ride quality can be tailored to your liking.
Click to expand...
I’ll do some research on these springs! Thank you.
 

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
8,474
1,463
223
Sea of Tranquility
Sep 10, 2022
#4
  • Sep 10, 2022
  • #4
You've come to the wrong place if you want to be talked out of a modification. Ride is generally sacrificed by stance but you can ease the reduced ride. It just costs a little more.
 
Reactions: Twitchychancers
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WillieSmokeUm

Member
Aug 1, 2021
14
12
13
New Jersey
Sep 10, 2022
#5
  • Sep 10, 2022
  • #5
Maximum Motorsports website has a complete write up about the Mustang chassis tuning. Go to MM site, click on FAQ's & tech tips, then Getting Started. I read through this list a few times, but it gives you info on how you can set up what you want to do. The tech sections should be gone over also. It is quite a bit to read, even re read some areas, and you can have them help you put together a complete chassis package. MM makes their own parts, and they are not inexpensive, but the items are top quality. And they are very helpful with customers. Grab a beverage and check it out when you have some time.
 
Reactions: Twitchychancers and 7991LXnSHO

603mustangs

Advanced Member
Sep 19, 2016
249
140
73
New Hampshire
Sep 10, 2022
#6
  • Sep 10, 2022
  • #6
Keep it stock, spend your money increasing horsepower.
 
W

WillieSmokeUm

Member
Aug 1, 2021
14
12
13
New Jersey
Sep 11, 2022
#7
  • Sep 11, 2022
  • #7
Yes, it can be kept stock. The MM writeup just gives a detailed explanation of how one item could change the direction they are looking for. I have been driving FOX Mustangs since 1984, and they can be a lot of fun. Sometimes a little scary. My 1992 LX is the first time I have installed an MM Package, R&T, into any FOX, and it drives and turns so much better. You don't have to get anything from MM, but you can see what you would do to set up for handling or straight line. Good luck.
 
Reactions: Twitchychancers
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WillieSmokeUm

Member
Aug 1, 2021
14
12
13
New Jersey
Sep 11, 2022
#8
  • Sep 11, 2022
  • #8
One more thing. I use 17x8 Bullitt rims, 245-17-45 tires, Ford B springs and Tokico D-spec struts/shocks. Just a little lower and not too harsh. Nice car Twitchychancers.
 
Reactions: Twitchychancers

Twitchychancers

Member
Sep 7, 2022
4
2
13
Virginia
Sep 11, 2022
#9
  • Sep 11, 2022
  • #9
COramprat said:
You've come to the wrong place if you want to be talked out of a modification. Ride is generally sacrificed by stance but you can ease the reduced ride. It just costs a little more.
Click to expand...
Agreed lol. The title was definitely me joking around. My brother and his tech are trying to get me to keep it as stock as possible.

I want to do mods that keep things close to stock and we’re manufacture options or parts made by ford performance.

Ride and ride height factor in to my vision a little but I know there are a lot of people who have been messing with Fox’s for years so getting their feedback is very valuable to me as a learn.
 

Twitchychancers

Member
Sep 7, 2022
4
2
13
Virginia
Sep 11, 2022
#10
  • Sep 11, 2022
  • #10
WillieSmokeUm said:
One more thing. I use 17x8 Bullitt rims, 245-17-45 tires, Ford B springs and Tokico D-spec struts/shocks. Just a little lower and not too harsh. Nice car Twitchychancers.
Click to expand...
Awesome!! I’m going to try to look them up. Thank you for the feedback!!
 

FastDriver

I was uncomfortably high & wearing a helmet
SN Certified Technician
Sep 5, 2001
6,103
2,710
224
Vass, NC
Sep 11, 2022
#11
  • Sep 11, 2022
  • #11
Springs on the softer side with shocks to match. Lowering is fine. The car doesn't have to beat you up. Check into FMS B-springs or something close.
 
Reactions: Twitchychancers

manicmechanic007

5 Year Member
Sep 26, 2017
2,536
714
143
Roy, Utah
Sep 12, 2022
#12
  • Sep 12, 2022
  • #12
Only modify what can be undone
Or keep it stock
Save all the old parts
 
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