Klawsterfobik

hi, i have an xy wagon that im looking to lower from its original ride hight. ive spoken to a few people and a reccuring theme of flipping the top leaf over, lowers the back 3 inches. ive been told this was done in the GT's aswell..

is this true? will i need anything else than whats on the car already, like extra bolts or anything?

thanx in advance
dale

galaxy xr8

I have an XW wagon that I had lowered, but I just had the leafs reset that's all it came down 2inchs from standard,what's flipping the top leaf mean.

__________________
AU II XR8
Herrod mod's,mmmn.
XW Wagon 221-2V,
Laser a maser.

addo

The position of the "eye" at each end of the spring relative to the leaf itself, influences ride height. When you choose aftermarket springs for an early Mustang, you have a choice of high, low or mid eye.

Modding your XY wagon springs could be helped by possibly shorter sedan shackles (wagon shackles were often ½" longer), and relocating the "eyes" to below the leaf. This is not your local Pedders/Midas franchise type of work; it requires a proper spring works to do this, combined with resetting.

These pics might help (need to look closely at the differences):
http://www.mustangsplus.com/Merchant...ory_Code=leafs

It's well possible to tie your brain in knots over leaf spring setups. Expect to have 2-3 cracks before it's the way you want it. As to the rear sway bar, go 5/8" rather than 3/4" as the poly bushings are less compliant than the old rubber used on GTs. Plus a wagon has more weight higher than a sedan, and hence takes a different aspect in a corner.

Front end: Correct me if I'm wrong, but the GTs had relocated upper wishbones. I tooled up to do this trick on XK-XP Falcons, and am considering a template for XR-XF bodies. It's pretty basic but requires some understanding of the procedure. I can elaborate if desired. Here's some you-beaut parts to drool over (the 68-70 will fit an XY): http://www.mustangsplus.com/Merchant...y_Code=tcpcont

Hmm... More ways to spend your hard-earned.

Adam.

xacoupe

they did *not* flip leaves over to lower the GTs or relocate any of the suspension components. They all just used good old fashioned lower springs. They weren't mega low as despite the advantages that lowering the centre of garvity gives, all the suspension angles go ape and you run out of travel very quickly.
The Shelby mustangs relocated the upper control arm to give the proper setup but that's it as far as I know ..from the factory at least.

If you want it lowered properly and safely, go to a specialist suspension shop and buy the correctly set springs

addo

I commented on the front wishbones as I seemed to recall reading in the Ford supplement for the XY GTs, that there were modifications to the upper control arms. Maybe the Phase IIIs? As you point out yourself, CS new about it, having done it since '65, so the Ford Oz crews would have known. It was later done on the A9X Torries, too... Flattery?

FWIW, when correctly done, I have not heard one complaint about the procedure, having deliberately canvassed for such. There are some simple guidelines that need to be followed, then it's sweet.

And on overall suspension mods... One of the "learning" experiences of my life was assembling an HQ coupe with all new urethane, lowered springs and so forth. The $16 000 car lasted all of 10 weeks - how long it took the owner to discover that modern suspension required different driving skills; they were worlds from the old rubber bushed "sack of potatoes".

There's no point not making use of as many improvements in suspension since 1970 as you can afford to incorporate; just take it easy while getting used to it.

Adam.