The decision to replace was easy for me as I converted from a 6cyl to a 8 so I changed everything. You pretty much summed it up when you said "50 year old parts". Supprisingly enough it isn't terribly expensive to change everything and the piece of mind is well worth it. If you are concerned enough about safety to up grade the brakes you should certainly do the steering/suspension overhaul. Before you start consult Steve's how to page and by all means ask the members of this forum.

I agree with BillyC. All of those front end parts are relatively inexpencive. Plan to change them all at the same time so you wont have  to deal with individual failures of the parts you didnt replace. Plus it just makes everything " tighter". My 2 cents. 

Roller perchs are nice butt...not a "gotta-have". I have some and I GUESS they work better than the originals(the science of it.....seems to indicate an improvement.) REBUILD the upper arms and replace the lowers. I prefer Moog parts. NOW would be the time to get lowering springs or cut a coil out of yours. Shocks. Do the Shelby drop (check Daze...a member on FYI)...he as the numbers and the template to drill new holes. Afterward...re-align the front end using the new specs(also on Daze page)
Check the center link....idler arm and tie rod ends. IF they are loose...replace.... Pitman arm too! If you want the high dollar improved pitman arm...NOW is a good time to spend the buck$. One piece export bar and a Monte Carlo bar are needed items to improve handleing. Trick bars and chrome stuff are availible for a "nominal-extra fee". One thing that really helped my steering (manual)was remove the inspection plug on top of the steering box......and fill it with grease. It took a LOT for mine butt......really tightened up the feel. 
Need front disc brakes?! NOW! is the time. I used the ScareBird brackets and ordered the stuff from Rock Auto. MS has disc brake stuff too.
Too.....if you want the BIG brakes and 17" tarz...MS can "hook-you-up" or  Mustangs Unltd....etc. NOW is the time.
Naturally new wheel bearings and grease
That should be most of the stuff............most available from local parts stores or Mustang specialty places.
When it finished...........should drive as well as most new cars. A big improvement over the worn out 50 year tech that's on it now.
6sally6

I'll have a set of Roller Spring Perches for you in a week or so.....

MarkinSC wrote:

devovino wrote:

So as I am dissambeling my front end and looking at all these 50 yr. old suspension parts, I wonder if there is a NEED to replace things like control arms, springs, steering components, or will the parts in place "work for now"? I do plan on upgrading the brake system for sure, but I see all these other parts that I could justify making new. Its all a matter of time and money....

 This is like what another member told me on another past, " once you get in there, you do one upgrade, then say well since I am here I might as well replace..." where do you draw a the line?

Obviousley, if I see upon inspection something is broken or worn out and I deem it unsafe, I will replace it, but as money permits I would like to leave a lot of it for down the road where it is a little further down on the priority list.

Unfortunately, when you buy a 50 year old car,  you have no idea if the parts on the car are the right year mustang parts or the right parts period for that car.  Many years of Previous owners that put anything on there that they had lying around the house or got cheap at the local junkyard.  I found Galaxie spindles on my 66 mustang when I looked up the numbers on them, and engine mounts that were reversed to make room for  a  68 302 with a FMX trans to fit in it.  I found a dual exhaust system was installed on my car that originally had single exhaust,  and it burned a hole right thru my rear brake hose one night while driving it, and I had no brakes..   You have no idea what anybody had done to the car in 50 years was done right.  There is no shortcut here to a safe reliable vehicle.  I think its very dangerous to just start driving it, and hope for the best.  I wound up spending huge dollars on the car, and alot of time,  only to eventually learn the rust repair that was needed on the vehicle was so intensive, that it wasn't worth fixing that vehicle, and actually cheaper to look for a whole other car with a good frame.  There's just too many unknown variables.  Strip the car down, do the body first, because thats the money pit. Then go from there.  Thats what every restoration show on TV thats worth anything will do.   

As always, sound advise and this is the reason for me joining this forum, to be able to learn from others experiences, and take advise from thos who have been there before me. I initially thought " oh yeah, lets just pop a new motor in and be off and running"!! After digging into this project, my initial time line has changed significantly, just out of pure nescessity and safety standpoint.
 
Thankfully, from what I have seen/discovered the body and frame is really solid thanks to the many dry days the car has had in California, but this does not change the fact that everything else need attention, so I have a lot of work ahead of me. I might have to get out there today and un-winterize the boat justt to hear a motor run ( 454 PCM) to give me a little motivation!