A few questions: I want to install lowered uprights on my 53 chevy. I was thinking of going to Jamco but I've read some bad reviews, mainly about taking forever to receive parts and getting refunds. I'm local so I would just go pick them up. Anyone have any problems dealing with them face to face? Should I just get Fatmans from Gambino? I also want to install power disc brakes from ABS in Orange. Anyone have this combo and is it a direct bolt on? Anyone have their disc brake kit? Did it move the wheels out? I read a post (and I can't find it anymore) that said you don't need the lowered steering arms if you have the disc brake kit. Any truth to that? THanks a bunch.
Your looking at close to $1k for dropped uprights, steering arms, and disk brakes. I would just save your money and get a hub-to-hub Mustang II set-up. You can find them for around $2k and it includes, new brakes, shocks, steering, etc. Thats what I ended up doing with my 54 and was definitely worth it. Handles like a new car. Just my 2 cents.
I suppose you have a point although that did just double my budget. Also, i'm not looking for the slammed look, just wanted to lower it a few inches.
Run regular coils. Buy from a reputable supplier. It will be a few inches down, with regular MII spindles.
Call Steve at Buffalo Enterprises. His disc break kit is the only one that does not move the wheels out, and it drops the steering arms. His dropped uprights are engineered with built-in (+)-caster for better handling. He also makes a dual M/C conversion kit. I have all of the above on my '49. (I have Fatman components on my '50.)
Go Fatman. You will need steering arms. I used them and worked great. Have disk brakes on my '54 from Braketech. Don't know whether it moved them out. Had different rims and tires. I also cut 1.5 coils from springs. Got new 205/75/15 tires from Diamond Back. 6" wide rims. No rubbing on anything. Everything worked out fine. Haven't dealt with Gambino before; but from reputation, they will treat you right and probably be able to answer your questions.
Definitely go with Gambino I used fatman uprights and cut 1.5 coils have plenty of travel. Not sure about disc brakes I still have stock drums but steering arms are a must and come with the fatman uprights. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
I would exhaust all avenues. Fatman, Gambino, Speedway.... for everything. Speedway brake kits are in expensive and complete....There is another guy you might call. Brake Tech Solutions.... He does a hell of a job, and very affordable....
You don't have to slam your car with a Mustang II. You can put in a nice set of coil-overs in them. If you are going to go with new spindles and steering arms, I would highly recommend putting in some new bushings, which well set you back another few hundred $$$.
My 38 coupe has a 39-54 front end. I've researched both options and you're correct, a MII is not much more money but much better handling etc. I decided to leave mine alone for now, but for what it costs to rebuild those front ends plus the dropped uprights and steering arms etc.. it get's pricey. The upside to retaining the stock suspension is it's less invasive and easier to do, which is something to consider.
you guys are starting to convince me on the MII. By the way, how's the MII with an inline 6? My car has a '55 inline with mounts on the front, below the harmonic balancer. I suppose I would have to make motor mounts for it.
we can sell u the dropped up rites , steering arms , and the brackets for the disc brakes ... You can buy the roters and calipers from napa ....
Would I have to do something to the spindle? The original spindles use ball bearings, modern disk brakes use taper roller bearings.
Both ball, and roller bearings operate on races, not on the spindle. Regardless of bearing type, they must simply fit the ID, OD, and depth of the application, and be structurally up-to-task. As long as one exists that matches that criteria, the answer is yes.
disc brake kits come with anything needed to use a late model disc. If the kit is the type that doesn't come with the actual brake parts, then it will tell you in the instructions what to buy for the disc, bearings & seals.
You can use a Mustang II on a car with an inline 6. I dont think the "ultra low" style will work though, because the engine is so tall. My car has a 235 with a standard MII, but we modified the cross member, engine mounts, etc. You certainly don't have to do that, but I wanted to lay frame front to back.
Sorry to resurrect an older thread (and semi-hijack) but I've searched, posted and even called the company and still cant get an answer. Anyone used the Chassis Eng. bolt in mII kit with the 235 ('54 = side motor mounts)? The factory mounts are attached to the frame, not the crossmember. I called them and they weren't sure if their crossmember would interfere with the motor mounts or not.
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