This is both my first Mustang and Convertible. I have the Premium version and love it. I understand from the Ford literature and several automotive reviews, that "the body joints and rocker panels" on the verts were designed to be more rigid that the coupes and that these latest bodies "flex" less than the earlier Mustang body designs. I have noticed that when the top is down that from the driver's seat, my body "notices" considerable more "flexing" when I drive over rough roads or when cornering than when the top is up and latched. I would not have thought that the "non-rigid" convertible top would add noticable "rigidity" to the ride (or having it down would cause more flex). Maybe its just my perception!

I am looking for advice to see what modifications can be done to increase the "rigidity" of the ride with the top down.

Would strut tower braces help? recommedendations
Would front or rear suspesion stabilizer bars help? which ones?
Would underbody K-frames (or any other frame stiffeners) help? this is a road car not plannning to race it!

Any info would be appreciated.

you should try driving an '86 sometime....

anyway I used to weld frame connectors to the old ones, the new conv's are extremely more ridged.
don't know if the make any for them.

but you should defiantly get a rear sway bar, makes a huge difference.

I don't think the top adds anything, that's probably just a perception issue.

The rear sway bar will improve handling but doesn't actually stiffen the frame.

About the only thing I'd recommend would be a front strut brace. That stiffen the front end noticably (and anyone thinking Ford doesn't know this just needs to look under the hood on the new GT500)

ORIGINAL: Torch_Vert
About the only thing I'd recommend would be a front strut brace. That stiffen the front end noticably (and anyone thinking Ford doesn't know this just needs to look under the hood on the new GT500)


[sm=youreright.gif] +1 i agree

I just traded a 99 convertible for the 05 convertible. I told my wife yesterday that if she drove the 99 ever again, SHE WOULD HATE IT NOW. The 05 is stiffer and quicker and a better ride and a quieter "top up" ride, etc. I think that there was a LOT of flex in the 99.

==I have noticed that when the top is down that from the driver's seat, my body "notices" considerable more "flexing" when I drive over rough roads or when cornering than when the top is up and latched. I would not have thought that the "non-rigid" convertible top would add noticable "rigidity" to the ride (or having it down would cause more flex). Maybe its just my perception! ==

I've also been impressed by the rigidity of the new Mustang verts. I don't feel any significant body flex in it. I'd say it's probably your perception, the top definitely does not provide any extra strength to the body when in the up position.