Ive noticed that every picture of all after market mustang II cross members are installed on 2x3 tubeing frame rails... Is their a reason why a cross member cant be installed on 2x4 tubeing frame rails ? I would really appreciate any info guys...What Im asking is, will it affect the placement of the springs , spindals, or ?etc.... thanks Thomas31
Yes it would affect location of suspension parts and geometry. Each kit is made to attach to a specific frame dimension.
A MII crossmember can be installed on practically any sized frame rail as long as it is modified to maintain the required critical dimensions such as the height from the lower control arm pivot hole to the top of the upper spring - shock tower where the upper control arm mounts. Maintain the proper critical dimensions and everything will mount and work as intended. In that fashion a MII can and has been fitted to almost any vehicle. A case in point is the Heidts Universal MII crossmember kit. I myself made MII kits for a long time, and while I don't anymore still have all my patterns etc. I also offered a universal kit.
Fatman Fabrication supplied my Mustang 11 kit.. they require various measurements from your frame to get the proper angle on tophats, and crossmember..The shop that did my wheel alignment told me about one fella installing an aftermarket "one size fits all" mustang 11 kit. Now these kits will work if you know all about angles required,,I DON'T .They could not align the front end on his project,,now that would really be a downer.. A custom kit like mine is a no brainer,,,well measure a few times before you put the rod to it
The Heidts universal kit supplied all the required information to get it right. The instructions I supplied with my universal kits were detailed and gave step by step how to get it right as well and would avoid any such issues. I had lots of guys install the universal kit in oddball vehicles and never had one have trouble.
I did one a few years ago with stock parts. I couldn't believe how hard it was to find enough pieces to do one.
nothing, when the fits were first developed, thats all there was. now there is a problem if you try to use the OE sheetmetal crossmember. its just too thin once separated from its parent unibody vehicle.
Yes, a taller frame would move the upper A-arms up and screw up the camber, You will have to modify the frame or the tophats to get the correct angles, I know, I messed mine up, but I fixed it. Yes, using stock parts ( I did ) saved me about $150 but was a nightmare , save up and buy a complete kit I used a stock Pinto front end Welder series crossmember s-10 front brakes w/ adapter brackets T-bird power rack and pinion steering Ford explorer brake lines 6 inch air bags w/ homemade mounts reinforeced lowers A-arms as well as bag mount. mustang II shocks w/ homemade shock mounts CCP strut rod eliminators CCP 2" in drop spindels granada rotors ( drilled chevy ) first pic tophats and Upper control arm are 2 inches to high last pic what is the corrected setup Godspeed MrC.
One reason the Pinto/MustangII front end became so popular was because the front cross member was available new as a "Collision replacement part" from Ford you didn't have to try cutting one out of a car.
Another good reason is the center line of the crossmember (at least on stock ones or copies) is the axle centerline. Takes all the guesswork out of aligning everything. Personally, I think they get used on a lot of vehicles they SHOULDN'T be used on; but you can't argue with the simplicity...
The Jalopy Journal
