Join Shelby Forums Today

1" Lowering of upper control arms on 67 Mustang

Discussion in '1965-1970 Shelby Mustang GT350 & GT500' started by Steve67, Aug 11, 2010.

  1. Aug 11, 2010 #1
    Steve67

    Steve67 Member

    Posts:
    23
    Likes Received:
    1
    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2010
    Hi All,

    I was wondering what the consensus is on the 1 inch lowering of the upper control arms which lowers the front of a 67 Mustang. I have a 67 GT 500 and I am considering doing this. This would be mainly for street driving.

    Does this improve or hinder handling?

    I have heard both that handling is improved and I have heard that it does not improve handling because it adds additional bump steer.

    Has anyone performed this modification and how favorable were the results?

    Any feed back would be appreciated!

    Thanks,

    Steve67
     
    Steve67, Aug 11, 2010
    Steve67, Aug 11, 2010
    #1
  2. Aug 11, 2010 #2
    Texas Swede

    Texas Swede Well-Known Member

    Age:
    76
    Posts:
    520
    Likes Received:
    2
    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2005
    Location:
    Richardson, Texas
    I did this modification on my 67 Shelby 30 years ago.
    It's a GT500 but equipped like a GT350 with a 289 HiPo and
    4-speed close ratio Top-Loader. At the same time as I lowered
    the upper control arms I replaced the power steering with
    a manual one. Adjusted the front end +2 Caster,0 Camber
    and 1/8" overall Toe-In. Never regretted it as the car drives
    very well around corners and is steady as a rock.
    Used the Boss 302 Chassis Manual for the relocation.
    Personally I hate the power sterring on an old Mustang.
    /Texas Swede
     
    Texas Swede, Aug 11, 2010
    Texas Swede, Aug 11, 2010
    #2
  3. Aug 12, 2010 #3
    Steve67

    Steve67 Member

    Posts:
    23
    Likes Received:
    1
    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2010
    Thanks for the reply.

    What did you use for manual steering? A standard mustang box??

    Steve67
     
    Steve67, Aug 12, 2010
    Steve67, Aug 12, 2010
    #3
  4. Aug 12, 2010 #4
    Texas Swede

    Texas Swede Well-Known Member

    Age:
    76
    Posts:
    520
    Likes Received:
    2
    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2005
    Location:
    Richardson, Texas
    Steve,
    I didn't change the steering box as the power steering box
    is the same as the HiPo manual except the preload. 16:1 ratio.
    Replaced steering link, pitman- and idler arms with manual steering
    Mustang stuff. My 67 is a fairly early car and has the 1" sector.
    Texas Swede
     
    Texas Swede, Aug 12, 2010
    Texas Swede, Aug 12, 2010
    #4
  5. Aug 12, 2010 #5
    2+2GT

    2+2GT Well-Known Member

    Posts:
    223
    Likes Received:
    2
    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2009
    The 1" 'drop' is an excellent improvement in handling. No other single upgrade works as well. Body roll is decreased, responsiveness improves, and your modern radial tires are kept square with the road, increasing how hard they are capable of cornering.
     
    2+2GT, Aug 12, 2010
    2+2GT, Aug 12, 2010
    #5
  6. Aug 12, 2010 #6
    KensKR

    KensKR Well-Known Member

    Age:
    64
    Posts:
    85
    Likes Received:
    2
    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2005
    Location:
    Virginia
    Steve, I did the 1" drop, and 1" shorter springs, 1-1/2 degrees negative camber, on my KR a few yrs. ago. I'm not using power steering either. Front tires are 235/60's, with no tire rub. Car drives great, it's a little tough parking it with no p/s. The hardest part was getting the nerve to drill the four holes. Here is a picture with the drop and springs. Kenny
    [​IMG]
     
    KensKR, Aug 12, 2010
    KensKR, Aug 12, 2010
    #6
  7. Aug 14, 2010 #7
    rsimkins

    rsimkins Well-Known Member

    Posts:
    449
    Likes Received:
    7
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2006
    Location:
    Eastcoast USA
    Steve,

    FWIW, Total Control Products offers a replacement upper control arm http://totalcontrolproducts.com/upper.html that will lower the front an inch without drilling the shock towers. I haven't tried them but hope to in the near future.
     
    rsimkins, Aug 14, 2010
    rsimkins, Aug 14, 2010
    #7
  8. Aug 14, 2010 #8
    roddster

    roddster Well-Known Member

    Age:
    72
    Posts:
    825
    Likes Received:
    3
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2004
    Location:
    Lansing, the one in Illinois
    There is also a template in every Tony D Branda catalog
     
    roddster, Aug 14, 2010
    roddster, Aug 14, 2010
    #8
  9. Aug 15, 2010 #9
    Steve67

    Steve67 Member

    Posts:
    23
    Likes Received:
    1
    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2010
    Thanks for the comments guys.

    It gives me some confidence that this is worth doing. I am not to concerned with the drilling of the holes as I have owned my GT 500 since 1973 and I never plan to sell it. It now sounds like it would only improve things.

    I did hear something about this modification adding "bump steer" to the car. Does anyone know about this??

    My car currently has rather sloppy steering responce and it may be the power steering/spool valve slop that I feel there. I have the steering box as tight as possible but loose enough for good return centering. I find the comments on removing the power steering very interesting. That could be the hart of my steering sloppiness.

    Thanks again for all input,

    Steve67
     
    Steve67, Aug 15, 2010
    Steve67, Aug 15, 2010
    #9
  10. Aug 15, 2010 #10
    2+2GT

    2+2GT Well-Known Member

    Posts:
    223
    Likes Received:
    2
    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2009
    I've put a couple hundred thousand miles on my 66 with the "drop", and so far no annoying side effects.

    If you go through the steering and bring the gearbox and valve up to par, you'll likely find the "slop" has gone. They didn't have it when new, or no one would have bought Mustangs. If you just "tighten" the gearbox without following the Service Manual procedure, you can destroy it.
     
    2+2GT, Aug 15, 2010
    2+2GT, Aug 15, 2010
    #10

Share This Page