So I'm going to start getting into the suspension as soon as i pick my car up. I will probably bag it real soon so the mustang II front seemed like the best idea in the long run. So has anyone installed one on a 54 chevy (bel air)? How hard is it? I know i'll have to take the front fenders and grill off and so on, but will it be possible to install while the engine is still in? Not a big deal if i have to take it out but this will be my daily driver so i'd like to take as few a things apart as possible for now. thanks
its not really a big deal...yea you will need to pull the motor. you dont have to pull the front cap but it sure makes it alot easier. the kit i got had the crossmember 3 inches lower than the frame so i had to sectioned it in order to lay. let me kno if you need any pics.
1st things 1st... get the wheel and tire combo you are going to run, the only real way you'll know where to set the new cross member to accomodate your final ride height. after removing the old front suspension, with the front sheet metal on the car, using jack stands and or wood blocks mock up the car by setting the car at your desired ride height, with the new wheels and tires in place take your measurements from there remembering that you want to keep the lower control arms parallel to the ground. to do this all correct you will have to remove the engine and to get it low you may need to change the oilpan for crossmember clearance. and as Roach stated you will need to do some t******* and fitting and notching of the shock tower and crossmember
1st things 1st... get the wheel and tire combo you are going to run, the only real way you'll know where to set the new cross member to accomodate your final ride height. ???? the FATMAN one I installed your ride height was already determined, with the exception of your final spring cut. the only adjustment was where your axle centerlline is. that is the key. you must mark your frame as to where the axle centerline is so the wheels end up in the right spot in the wheelwell. I marked my centerline with a light hacksaw cut. one because it is thin, and 2 because it will not wipe off. I tacked everything, ***embled it, then put the fenders on to be sure the wheel was in the right spot, then finish welded it remove the front sheetmetal in one piece. you could probably even leave the hood on I've seen MII's installed with the motor in the car.. it was a chevy but I can't remember what year it was or what motor, seen it in a magazine have you bought your suspension yet? if not get the FATMAN ultra low crossmember. it sits up higher in the frame, so your car will be lower.
Mines running a Hedit, but I thought the Fatman was a bolt in? I just ***umed (I know thats almost always a mistake) that meant using holes that was already there. But yeah I bet you can leave the hood on
My bro installed a TCI Mustang II with Bags kit and the install was a breeze..He installed it of course without no fenders and no drivetrain..made it much easier and cleaner of a job
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