scored front suspension.. - Cut-Weld-Drive Forums

Tory Smith · January 5th, 2011, 03:56 PM

Ok. So I scored a Complete Mustang II front end. Rack and Pinion, disc brakes and all. I will be glueing it to the front of my 74 Pan soon. But I want to narrow it if needed. But I need to know the measurements Drum to Drum of a stock axle.

If anyone can help I would appreciate it. It would save me from having to climb into the trailer where my Bug is currently living and trying to measure it.

I did use the search, But then I couldn't talk about my bitchin score.

Thanks.

**Unkl Ian** · January 5th, 2011, 04:22 PM

Is that a OEM Mustang II front end, or aftermarket ?

HeidelbergJohn4.0 · January 5th, 2011, 04:48 PM

Nice. I've wanted to graft an aftermarket MII front end into a super for a while.

Search the technical archives at the samba for the chassis dimensional? diagram.

Tory Smith · January 5th, 2011, 06:28 PM

Stock unit... We trimmed the fat. I'm gonna run air bags, and change the rotors to a Chevy lug pattern (about $40 a rotor, not bad i think) I think might actually be a pinto. But Mustang II sounds better.

Mikelrome · January 5th, 2011, 06:32 PM

Score like someone gave it to you or you paied for it?

bigguy · January 5th, 2011, 06:41 PM

running lower A arms or running stock torque rod style.

Tory Smith · January 5th, 2011, 06:48 PM

Was free but I made my buddy take $50 for it.

I'm looking into the lower a-arm conversion. But may just run the torque rod.... If it fits in ok.

Mikelrome · January 5th, 2011, 06:59 PM

Hell ya!! Free is good

Like to see how you make it work. Iv'e seen a few kit cars with them. Keep us posted.

**carcentric** · January 5th, 2011, 07:06 PM

I don't have the drum-to-drum measurement you want, but I do have this:
- '74 SuperB front track (center-of-tire to center-of-tire) = 54.3"
- '76 Mustang II front track (center-of-tire to center-of-tire) = 55.6"

P.S.: The Mustang II is what's on the front of Rotkäppchen!

Tory Smith · January 6th, 2011, 06:38 PM

OK So Im gonna hack 6 inches out of the center. This will give me 50 inches from hub to hub. equivalent to a 4 inch narrowed stock axle.

UncleSlacker · January 7th, 2011, 12:16 PM

Mustang II and Pinto were the same animal, just different names (and the Pinto got the bad reputation).

Tory Smith · January 7th, 2011, 08:50 PM

I know there the same. In fact I think its actually a Pinto... But Mustang II sounds cooler. ha ha.

Well we hacked 6 inches out of it and it looks more proportional to a VW now.

This is cool shit because my Dad and I have wanted to do an independent front suspension for like 27 years. And if you all can recall my Pop died four times last year, Yet he's still here building cool shit with me. So this is even cooler than you could imagine.

Tory Smith · January 7th, 2011, 09:41 PM

Nip and Tuck... Take a little out of the middle. We also welded a thick plate across the front to mount the Rack and Pinion to.

**Unkl Ian** · January 8th, 2011, 07:09 AM

Give some consideration to Bump Steer, now that it is narrowed.

fungus · January 8th, 2011, 08:11 AM

Excited to see how this goes! Keep up the good work!

PJLOval · January 8th, 2011, 09:02 AM

I think you can get a 6" narrow rack from Flaming River or Fat Man's. I know flaming river will make one for you. I have a 3" narrow Flaming River rack I'm using with mine. Keep posting pictures of your progress.

Paul

Mine is Mustang II based with Art Morrison cross member and control arms. I am just able to get the upper control arm under the fuel tank flange but I think you will have some issue with the stock cross member. I'm guessing you will cut all that out anyway?

Tory Smith · January 8th, 2011, 07:56 PM

Thanks PJoval, for posting up your pics. Helps to give me some perspective. I knew there were narrowed Racks. I will be looking into those as well. I am at this point going to get the configuration working. Then I plan on upgrading to stainless A arms and bigger brake rotors and what ever else I can think of.

One problem I am going to face. Is a speedo problem. I won't have a way to turn my speedo cable. Hmmm, any ideas?

**alykat** · January 9th, 2011, 07:09 AM

Last time I did a narrowed M2 suspension I wound up narrowing the rack as well in order to get everything to work smoothly. It's been a while , but as I remember it wasn't that hard.

**carcentric** · January 9th, 2011, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tory Smith

. . . One problem I am going to face. Is a speedo problem. I won't have a way to turn my speedo cable. Hmmm, any ideas?

Search for "speedometer" threads.

**Unkl Ian** · January 9th, 2011, 08:04 AM

MIGHT be able to drill the M II spindle to use the VW speedo.

Tory Smith · January 9th, 2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unkl Ian

MIGHT be able to drill the M II spindle to use the VW speedo.

I did think of that. I have a buddy with a machine shop that I would ask to do that.

As far as bump steer. I moved the stock length rack up from its lower position. So I will see how bad it is. If need I will do the 5 inch narrowed flaming river from Summit is just under $300.

Now Im off to read the "speedometer threads".

Thanks everyone.

**Unkl Ian** · January 9th, 2011, 02:11 PM

The 944 uses the same spindle hole as a Type 1, so it might be possible.

JiI · January 9th, 2011, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tory Smith

I did think of that. I have a buddy with a machine shop that I would ask to do that.

As far as bump steer. I moved the stock length rack up from its lower position. So I will see how bad it is. If need I will do the 5 inch narrowed flaming river from Summit is just under $300.

Now Im off to read the "speedometer threads".

Thanks everyone.

Moving it up won't cure anything. Go with the narrower rack in the stock position.
Jeff

Tory Smith · January 9th, 2011, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiI

Moving it up won't cure anything. Go with the narrower rack in the stock position.
Jeff

Why wont moving it up help? The ball joints now load from the top instead of the bottom. And the joint of the rack is almost in line with the pivot points of the upper a arm.

JiI · January 9th, 2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tory Smith

Why wont moving it up help? The ball joints now load from the top instead of the bottom. And the joint of the rack is almost in line with the pivot points of the upper a arm.

Because when the arms move up, the bump steer will more than likely turn the wheels outwards if it's front steer or inwards if its rear steer. That front suspension was one of the best designed systems. Mess with it too much and it gets ugly fast.
Jeff