I live in the Kingston Ontario area and am looking for someone for advice on shops and products for work i would like done . I have a car with some frame issues and need of floor work , both re and re of previous patch work done and additional rust to be dealt with . As part of the process I am interested in upgrading suspension , breaks and steering .
I am hoping to get advice on shops in my area and " bolt on " products that have been proven to work with little or no modifications to the car or the purchased parts .
Not in a great hurry as I would like to do it right the first time and with reasonable cost .
Advice at this stage would be appreciated .

Thanks

 

More details on what you would like to get out of your car at the end and then we can provide more details on which products would be best.

 

My idea is to put the coil over suspension front and rear . A set up that dose not require any cutting of the car . A "bolt in " for the front and rear . Would like to go with a 4 wheel disc break package and rack and pinion steering .
The car is a 289 with unassisted breaks and steering . I would like to stay with that set up . The car will be used as a daily driver for city , highway and road trips .
The biggest thing would be good products at a reasonable price . Ease of future maintenance and safe reliable driving . I am not looking to make a race car but would like the improved handling of the modern bolt in products .
IM just at the stage of finding cost of the metal work and a shop to do the work . after i have an idea what the structural work will cost i can start to get an idea of the money involved in the upgrades .
Time frame is once i have a price range , save money for parts and work and get the job done start to finish .
Ideas , suggestions or comments are welcome .
Thanks

 

I would suggest Street or Track for the suspension as they have awsome products and Saun's CS is top notch. You mentioned you would like R&P but in the next sentence you say you have unassisted brakes and steering and you would like to keep it that way. So are you saying you want manual R&P? Either way I would go with Unisteer which Saun also sells now or TCP which I have (mine is power). As for the 4 wheel discs, I would recommened the Cobra kit from Mustang Steve (I have this as well).

 

Thanks for the input . I will look into the products you suggest on the line now that i have a little more direction .
The steering i myself am not sure of . I have seen systems for the unassisted steering , i think . I dont mind the strong arm steering that takes me back when i learned how to drive. The information I have seen so far with regards to steering and suspension is to deal with bump steer and other problems with the original equipment .
The more info and suggestions I get the better my understanding of what to do with the project is helpful .Sounds like you have been through this stuff already so if I put in things that dont make sense by all means let me know.
All of my cars are 85 or older so im driving the old school cars . V8 push rod for ever !
I will need much more direction before things get rolling . If you can think of things that might help me i appreciate it .
Thanks for you time so far , always a learning curve to this kind of thing .

 

Do you want the coil overs because of the "cool" factor or because it is easier to adjust ride hight? If you want a nice riding car without the extra cash then look at Open Tracker Racing and talk to John. Also with coil overs in the back, you run into issues with routing your exhaust even with custom. Some people have done it going under the rear axle like the 03-04 Cobra's. Some people have squeezed it in going over.

I just completed a huge transformation on my 67 Fastback so I looked at all options with regards to my Dart 427W, T56 Magnum, Strange 9" rear end, Maier Racing suspension with Open Tracker parts too, etc.

 

Points well taken and understood . The cool factor , its a 66 Mustang so all the cool is there !
I would like to improve the handling and performance aspect of the car . It will be a street car used to drive me , the kids and groceries around .
My main thought is while its apart dealing with any rust and structural work it would be easier to bolt new stuff on then the old . The breaks are something i will want . The single master cylinder and drums scare me a bit . Have had break lines let go in a few cars over the years , not cool .
I do not need coil over if the expense is not worth the return when there are other options . The steering as well , if there is something else I'm all for it .
I bought the car around a year ago and my mechanic set fix before you drive . I'm into it now . Just at the point of learning what is there and available so i can try and make a smooth go of the job and be driving at the end .
So far everything you have brought up has been helpful and should get me started in the right direction .
If you know of anyone in my area to get in contact with , shops , suppliers or somebody who has gone through a project of there own I could talk with would be great .
Please feel free to continue with comments and suggestions , the more i learn now th less it will cost in the long run .

 

I have begone to look at parts and pieces for the car . i have been told it would be best to replace the entire floor instead of making a " quilt " patch job of it . I agree .
When on the line i found CJ Pony has a floor package that comes with most everything needed . Do they make a good product that dose not need to be chopped up to fit properly ? Are there other companies that make better floor pieces for the car ?
It was also suggested that i look into new inner front fenders and shock towers .

I have looked at the products from open tracker racing . There stuff all looks to be an original type piece make with modern materials . I thinking the 5 leaf spring for the rear .
They appear to have 3 levels of parts for the front . Im thinking the basic street should work for me .
For the steering they also have an original set up with modern materials .
Is it possible to get everything in a kit or should that be a phone call to John for advice and suggestions ?
Im still just looking at options and trying to get an idea of whats out there .

Still have a long way to go . The main thing now is finding the right metal for the car and who is going to do the work . Im guessing whoever dose the job will have a preference to the parts they will use .
Still just fishing around for good ideas and direction so i can get the job done and done right the first time .