• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

What is the weakest link in the drivetrain?

  • Thread starter Thread starter scheister
  • Start date Start date Dec 16, 2003
S

scheister

Founding Member
Jun 13, 2002
612
0
16
Indy
Dec 16, 2003
#1
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #1
Is it the driveshaft, rear end, tranny(3650), etc...?

I already have a Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch, BTW

Also, what upgrades do you recommend?
 
8

89stang306

Founding Member
Sep 9, 2001
75
0
0
Jacksonville N.C.
Dec 16, 2003
#2
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #2
Tq boxes, a lot of guys have them welded (I did on my fox) but there is a company that makes battle boxes as well. When you start hooking with all that power you are making, you will rip em out soon. Next would be axles I would think. The Tremec seems fairly stout to me. The Boxes would be the first thing I would upgrade though, I was making a little less power than you on the bottle on my last car and it was hell on mine.
 

mrvax

Stay thirsty my friends
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,225
3
79
SN Moderator: Orlando, Fl.
Dec 16, 2003
#3
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #3
Everyone knows it's the nut that holds the steering wheel.
 
D

DC-GT

New Member
Nov 25, 2003
312
0
0
Dec 16, 2003
#4
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #4
mrvax said:
Everyone knows it's the nut that holds the steering wheel.
Click to expand...
 
D

DC-GT

New Member
Nov 25, 2003
312
0
0
Dec 16, 2003
#5
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #5
scheister said:
Is it the driveshaft, rear end, tranny(3650), etc...?

I already have a Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch, BTW

Also, what upgrades do you recommend?
Click to expand...

Sheister,

We need to keep in touch, for my sake I think. We seem to be in about the same place in our builds although you're a tad bit ahead and we are asking somewhat the same questions.

Can I PM you my Email so we can swap news and updates?

Bo
 
D

DC-GT

New Member
Nov 25, 2003
312
0
0
Dec 16, 2003
#6
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #6
89stang306 said:
Tq boxes, a lot of guys have them welded (I did on my fox) but there is a company that makes battle boxes as well. When you start hooking with all that power you are making, you will rip em out soon. Next would be axles I would think. The Tremec seems fairly stout to me. The Boxes would be the first thing I would upgrade though, I was making a little less power than you on the bottle on my last car and it was hell on mine.
Click to expand...

What is a "tq box"?

Bo
 
8

89stang306

Founding Member
Sep 9, 2001
75
0
0
Jacksonville N.C.
Dec 16, 2003
#7
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #7
do a search for Wild Rides (company name) Battle Boxes (product name). I would do it for you but I am on a Government computer right now and you can imagine what google is going to come back with when you put ride and box in the same search. They are where your LCA's attach at the front to the subframe though.
 
D

DC-GT

New Member
Nov 25, 2003
312
0
0
Dec 16, 2003
#8
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #8
89stang306 said:
do a search for Wild Rides (company name) Battle Boxes (product name). I would do it for you but I am on a Government computer right now and you can imagine what google is going to come back with when you put ride and box in the same search. They are where your LCA's attach at the front to the subframe though.
Click to expand...

So torque boxes are for the rear upper control arms?

Bo
 
S

scheister

Founding Member
Jun 13, 2002
612
0
16
Indy
Dec 16, 2003
#9
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #9
DC-GT said:
So torque boxes are for the rear upper control arms?

Bo
Click to expand...


That's right

I just called my mechanic, and he said that recommends welding the torque boxes and the axle tubes if you're going to drag race with slicks. hehe...looks like I need to get that done, huh?
 
S

scheister

Founding Member
Jun 13, 2002
612
0
16
Indy
Dec 16, 2003
#10
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #10
The upper control arms attach to the torque boxes. I read the write up that Bill Putnam wrote on actually doing this task, and it helps explain it quite well. Do a search for torque boxes and you should find it.
 
D

DC-GT

New Member
Nov 25, 2003
312
0
0
Dec 16, 2003
#11
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #11
scheister said:
That's right

I just called my mechanic, and he said that recommends welding the torque boxes and the axle tubes if you're going to drag race with slicks. hehe...looks like I need to get that done, huh?
Click to expand...

Aye, me too! I will be waiting until summer on the slicks though so maybe I can wait until then for the torque boxes as well.

Bo
 
D

DC-GT

New Member
Nov 25, 2003
312
0
0
Dec 16, 2003
#12
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #12
scheister said:
Is it the driveshaft, rear end, tranny(3650), etc...?

I already have a Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch, BTW

Also, what upgrades do you recommend?
Click to expand...

Did you catch the first paragraph of Bill's article?

C&P
Do you race at the track on slicks? Do you make 3 or more trips to the track a month? Are you running a Power adder and racing at the track? If you answered yes to any of the above or just want to play it safe then this upgrade is for you. From the factory our cars are built to handle the stock power but really nothing more and they surely weren't design to handle high RPM launches on Slicks. One of the biggest weaknesses of our cars is the Torque boxes. What are torque boxes? They are the mounting points on the chassis for the upper and lower rear Control arms. When you launch hard on the car they take the brunt of the abuse.
end C&P

Pretty much sums it up don't ya think?

Bo
 
D

DC-GT

New Member
Nov 25, 2003
312
0
0
Dec 16, 2003
#13
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #13
scheister said:
The upper control arms attach to the torque boxes. I read the write up that Bill Putnam wrote on actually doing this task, and it helps explain it quite well. Do a search for torque boxes and you should find it.
Click to expand...

It looks like both the upper and lower rear control arms attach to it, and you don't have to get new ones, just weld in the one you have. It also looks like welding in the axle tubes is a must! Should be one of our "less expensive" upgrades, lol.

Bo
 

NFCStang

New Member
Oct 3, 2003
127
0
0
Taking a leak in an SRT-4 gas tank
Dec 16, 2003
#14
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #14
89stang306 said:
do a search for Wild Rides (company name) Battle Boxes (product name). I would do it for you but I am on a Government computer right now and you can imagine what google is going to come back with when you put ride and box in the same search. .
Click to expand...

Tell me about it....
 
S

scheister

Founding Member
Jun 13, 2002
612
0
16
Indy
Dec 16, 2003
#15
  • Dec 16, 2003
  • #15
hehe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Suspension End link replacement size
  • Teen'93stang5.0
  • May 12, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
140
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 20, 2026
Teen'93stang5.0
Drivetrain Rear end clunk
  • seanmahoney
  • Oct 13, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
415
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 13, 2025
nickyb
S
Engine 2003 Mach 1 Automatic Upgrades assistance
  • SJK1417M1AT
  • Sep 25, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
295
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 21, 2025
01SVTvertt
0
S
Preparation for Holley Terminator X install – Foxbody 306 (electrical fan, alternator, MSD Ignition, etc)
  • So_Flo
  • Mar 1, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
22
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 4, 2026
General karthief
A
P0036 P0056 P0137 P0157 2020 Ford Mustang GT
  • AmkoA
  • Jun 16, 2026
  • 2024+ (S650) Mustang -General/Talk
Replies
0
Views
106
2024+ (S650) Mustang -General/Talk Jun 16, 2026
AmkoA
A
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang 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?