Posts: 325
Joined: 1/1/2006 From: Boston MA Status: offline
I've notived some people saying that they used Mustang's Plus "Grab a Track" Suspension kits. I'm looking to replace my leafs and coils and maybe control arms etc. Are the kits from Mustangs Plus as good as they make them sound? Any other suggested places to get a good quality, firmer than stock spring? Not too firm though, firmer than stock, but not strip or race firm? Thanks! Also, looking at spending about $1k on front and rear total, not super huge dough...
My COMPLETE kit including front and rear springs, shocks, sway bars, steering linkage, upper and lower control arms etc... was about 1,000.00 as I recall. EVERYTHING fit exactly as it was supposed to and the quality is outstanding. I don't own company stock and I receive no measure of compensation for this endorsement. They were simply nice folks to work with who build what I consider to be a quality product with excellent service. Hope this helps, Dean
Posts: 325
Joined: 1/1/2006 From: Boston MA Status: offline
cool, I'm looking at the same kit you described. got foot of snow last night, this winter is killing me. Can;t wait to get out and get some of this stuff done.
Does the "Grab a trac" lower the suspension any? When I get to that point I was looking a the grab a track and it looked nice but I am also wanting someting that will lower the front and rear 1".
Posts: 325
Joined: 1/1/2006 From: Boston MA Status: offline
Yes, Mustang's Plus 620 front coil springs will lower the front 1 inch, and any of their mid or reverse eye leafs will lower the back. I'm thinking of buying the 620s in the front with 4 1/2 leaf standard eye in the back. But like you, I am also looking at Mustang Depot's kit and haven't decided which one I'm going with. It seems that since you get the steering tie rod rebuild kit with the Mustang's Plus kit, that it saves you some money. I figure just about anything is better than what I have on there now.
Good to know that the Grab a Trac will lower it with the right springs I've always thought that the early model stangs sat too hight and I think they look great lowered 1" it also improves handling and response. I plan on just going with a larger tire in the rear to get the front to back lift stance. I have heard nothing but great things about the Grab a Trac and that is probably what I will go with when the time comes.
Posts: 1005
Joined: 2/22/2006 From: SE Minnesota Status: offline
Ever think about doing the shelby drop? Very cheap (almost free),easy, and it helps handling a lot. I got my complete suspension rebuild kit from www.americanpony.com for under $1000. It's called the REAL BIG KIT. And I love it!
I think I would prefer to go with a new front suspension kit instead of doing the shelby drop. Reason being is that the original suspension is 40+ now and the technology/parts available (i.e. lower springs, new arms, etc.) are not necessilary better quality buy have better technology behind them, therefore I believe that it would handle better than using orig. factory pieces.
Posts: 1005
Joined: 2/22/2006 From: SE Minnesota Status: offline
Oh I know, I mean to say that you should get the new kit AND do the drop, and yes all you need to do is drill the new holes VERY CAREFULLY, "measure twice, drill once" as the old saying goes If you have any questions about the drop just ask, I know a guy that will mail you a paper template of the new holes and a sheet with the new alignment specs that should be used.
Now if I was to get new front coils that would drop the front end 1" and then do the shelby drop which would put it 2" below stock. I would think that might be to low. I'm looking more towards smaller tires in front and larger in the rear to give it that front to back stance that looks mean.
Posts: 325
Joined: 1/1/2006 From: Boston MA Status: offline
I prefer only one inch drop myself, but don't forget, the 2 inch drop is from the ORIGINAL car front end height. Most cars have sagged, so if you are thinking its two inches lower than your current height, its not. Probably closer to your current height than you think. I know that some original height Mustangs (67 and 68) actually look a bit awkwardly high in the front. They look like they point straight up.
Your right, I was not talking about the current height I was more or less saying that I believe the 2" of drop is too much. But that is my opinion. I prefer just a 1" coil drop w/ a new front susp. then that way you know your setup good for a long while.
I used the 1 inch drop kit from Mustangs Plus. I agree that these old beasts sit a little too high for my liking and the 1 inch deal was about perfect for my tastes. Incidentally, the ride is still firm but not overwhelming and the car corners much better with a lower center of gravity. I've attached a pic for you to see with the kit installed. The car doesn't suffer from ground clearance issues either ! Good luck, Dean
Posts: 1005
Joined: 2/22/2006 From: SE Minnesota Status: offline
The shelby drop does not lower the car 1" which it might seem, its actually like 1/2". Here is a post from stangnet by red65:
"One of the main benefits of the Shelby drop, besides lowering the car, is correcting the Mustang's original camber curve. On a stock '65-6 Mustang (maybe other years too - don't know), the outside wheel on a hard turn would tend to angle outward at the top, as the outside wheel is loaded and the suspension is compressed. Think about this for a minute - it's exactly the wrong motion. What you'd like is for the outside (loaded) wheel to angle inward at the top as the suspension is compressed, angling the tire more optimally to resist cornering force. The Shelby drop, combined with lowering the front end, helps to accomplish this correction (without spending a lot of time talking about suspension kinematics - someone's already done the math for you!). It only matters in the twisties, but if you mean to drive your Mustang even a little aggressively in anything but a straight line, you'll appreciate the difference. Hope that helps."
Posts: 2707
Joined: 2/17/2005 From: San Francisco Status: offline
thats a good thread. just read it all and printed out the template.
now do you have to craft some alumium template to know where to drill the holes or what? why cant you just tape the paper to the shock tower wall and drill right though that....not precise enough or something???
Thanks, I was really off in my thoughts. I that case you are better off to do the 1" susp. drop and then the shelby drop in addition. Not a bad deal. I'm all for better handling. Again Thanks for the better understanding.
I know we kinda switched topics but I believe the original question from muggsy was asking about the Grab a Trac kits and any kits like them. If poeple have used them and which ones are better or worse. I also believe he had a budget of around $1000.
Printable Version
Suspension, Springs, Mustang's Plus - 
If you have any questions about the drop just ask, I know a guy that will mail you a paper template of the new holes and a sheet with the new alignment specs that should be used.
