Strut Suspension for your Classic - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Fordy · 11-18-2003, 21:54

Just got the latest Street Machine and in one of their tech articles they show how they fit a Strut suspension and rack and pinion steering to a ZD Fairlane.
The strut kit cost $3500 icluding 300mm discs and the rack and pinion steering is between $1750 to $1950 from RRS

It would probably take me forever to explain it so i'll just post some pics from the mag and you'll get an idea.

Tote · 11-19-2003, 03:20

What were the advantages? I would have thought that a strut front end would only make the body flex as all the force would be transferred to the shock mounts.
Regds,
Tote

apolloxbgt · 11-19-2003, 03:38

I think they've been around for quite a while actually.

philstoj · 11-19-2003, 04:05

they use the standard bottom control arm and castor rod,they do away with the top arm... also they have 2 pot calipers and bigger disk....
the rack unit is very impressive indeed..
can you imagine 3 turns lock to lock in yer xa falcon?
its all good stuff, i seen the setups in the flesh, and they look very sturdy and well made.

Fordy · 11-20-2003, 02:59

So would you say they're worth the money???

apolloxbgt · 11-20-2003, 03:47

3 turns lock to lock would be pretty nice, but would there be a big differnce in the handling?

philstoj · 11-20-2003, 03:58

well ill end up putting the rack steering in my xa, because it will work much better than a 16:1 ratio gt steering box....
also, if you renewed all your suspension bits, new heavy duty springs, shockers, top arm bushes, bottom arm bushes, upper and lower balljoints,tierods,tierod ends, pitman arm, castor rod bushes...etc...
then, new discs, twin spot calipers, new brake hoses....labour to fit....you do the maths...

philstoj · 11-20-2003, 04:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by apolloxbgt

3 turns lock to lock would be pretty nice, but would there be a big differnce in the handling?

of course there would be, its a much better set up than the falcons.....

apolloxbgt · 11-20-2003, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by philstoj

of course there would be, its a much better set up than the falcons.....

Youre talking near 6g's here, I mean will there be a biiig improvment, for that sort of money I'd want to be pushing xr8's through corners.

philstoj · 11-21-2003, 00:38

if you do a full rebuild on your frontend,the suspension,brakes,steering with all the good stuff, it wouldnt be much cheaper and it wont be better...
I havent driven a car with this setup unfortunatly, but the cars i seen it on were early falcons (xk-xp)
and from asking the owners if there was a big improvement in this setup, they said it feels like a totally different car.....
I think the near 6k pricetag scares a few people off, but like i said, if you add the cost of a whole new falcon setup with all the good bits,it really isnt much cheaper and certainly not better....
maybe you should call them and ask a few questions?