With or without the drop.
https://opentrackerracing.com/tech-info/

I use Open Tracker's alignment settings.

Without the Shelby/Arning drop you are only going to be able to do so much.  I used to run 1.5 degrees negaive camber, as much positive caster as possible, and 3/16" toe in before I did the drop.  Wit the drop I run 0.5 degrees negative camber, 3.5 degrees positive caster on the right and 3.75 degrees on the left (accounts for road crown very well), and 1/8" toe in (1/16" per side) with the tie rods the same length so the wheel is centered.  The car handles far better than it ever did without the drop, even with less camber, and the drop also moves the upper A arm rearward so you get more positive caster built in.  The biggest issue with the early cars is the shim adjustment.  I'd highly recommend upgrading to adjustable strut rods, so you only have to shim for caster. 

My 66 has the Arning mod, and I came up with a way to keep the shims in place with larger differences in the front-rear shim thicknesses.  I'm currently running about 4° of positive caster with stock strut rods and control arms, although I did offset the upper control arms 1/2 turn to help a little with the caster.

Steering box is original with power steering from factory.

Best advice I got was to do the drop. You won't regret it. True story.

6sally6 wrote:

Nice work John Ha !!!! True hot rod-isum (zata word?!) I'm sure that will work better than taping the shims together (like 'some-one-I-know')
6sal6
 

Thanks!  I owe Bullet Bob for the foundation.  He machined a wedge for his.  I didn't have the tools to do that so with a little lateral thinking, came up with what is fundamentally the same thing - just a slightly different implementation.  

Thanks Bullet Bob!

Last edited by John Ha (5/16/2024 8:07 AM)

Ron68 wrote:

Guess I'm with the crowd that proclaims the drop is definitely worth it. When I did the drop on my 68,  the handling was noticeably much improved with more stability in curves and no wandering tendencies while driving straight ahead.

I appreciate the comment, and I'm not starting a food fight or disparaging you, but the improvements you mention can all be had with a competent, good quality front-end alignment, without the Arning mod.

But, if it works for you, then that's all there is to say about it.   

TKOPerformance wrote:

John Ha wrote:

Ron68 wrote:

Guess I'm with the crowd that proclaims the drop is definitely worth it. When I did the drop on my 68,  the handling was noticeably much improved with more stability in curves and no wandering tendencies while driving straight ahead.

I appreciate the comment, and I'm not starting a food fight or disparaging you, but the improvements you mention can all be had with a competent, good quality front-end alignment, without the Arning mod.

But, if it works for you, then that's all there is to say about it.   

Here, have some mashed potatoes!  I've got to disagree.  I've run my car with the drop and without.  Brand new suspension both ways, properly aligned both ways.  You may not notice it driving around, but if you ever push the car the difference is night and day.  The improvement in camber curve and the gain in positive caster makes the car feel much more planted and stable through turns at high speed.  What really gets me is that I have a full degree less negative camber in it now, and it still handles better, and it wears the tires more evenly.  If the drop wasn't worth it Shelby wouldn't have done it, and only stopped doing ti when the bean counters at Ford decided it cost too much.  For the cost involved its also a no brainer (you can probably find a member here who will loan you the template, drill bit, etc.(I would)). 
 

 
HERE HERE! Preach it bro.

TKOPerformance wrote:

You may not notice it driving around, but if you ever push the car the difference is night and day.   

Exactly my experience.  It made/makes no difference in "sane, legal driving"

TKOPerformance wrote:

The improvement in camber curve and the gain in positive caster makes the car feel much more planted and stable through turns at high speed.  ...  If the drop wasn't worth it Shelby wouldn't have done it, and only stopped doing ti when the bean counters at Ford decided it cost too much.   

But Shelby's cars were an exception (other production Mustangs didn't get that mod) expected to do amazing things in race environments (and aggressive street driving environments).  I have no aspirations to do anything but normal driving - no tracks, no parking lot contests, no stop light contests.  I own the car to drive and enjoy the nostalgia and experience of the "good old days".

TKOPerformance wrote:

(you can probably find a member here who will loan you the template, drill bit, etc.).  

I've done it on mine (24-ish years ago), which is why I said "I did mine and have noticed absolutely no difference while doing sane, street-legal driving."  But if it works for you, then that's great and there's nothing more to say.

Last edited by John Ha (5/19/2024 8:28 AM)

TKOPerformance wrote:

We modify these cars to make them better.  Better has a subjective definition.   

Personally, I think that modifying them defeats the whole purpose of owning one.  The charm is the experience of driving a classic car, not something that's been welded, fiberglassed, drilled, lowered, and equipped with suspensions, engines and transmissions that were never offered from the factory in the days when the "Secretary's Cars" were built.   If one wants something that handles and performs like a "modern" car, then IMHO they should buy a modern car rather than hacking up what may possibly be a relatively rare and expensive original car. 

TKOPerformance wrote:

I've yet to hear from the person who did the drop and regretted it.  Maybe he/she is out there somewhere, but not from what I've seen on this forum. 

I regret doing it.  I went to the effort of making a template, pulling the front suspension off, and drilling 4 new holes in an otherwise pristine and original shock tower, all for no appreciable change.

Last edited by John Ha (5/20/2024 12:47 PM)

John Ha......YOU need to make a trip to Bakersfield my friend !! Sounds like you and I kinda/sorta think alike on  owning a classic Mustang.
I like to 'soup-them-up' to sound and run like they woulda when I was a teen in the 60's
I just didn't have the $$ or the knowledge then to make it happen)
  I have jokingly stated before "I THINK" they are suppose to stink...ride kinda stiff...be a little cantankerous to drive..noisy..etc
Others have their ideas what makes a cool Mustang.
6sal6