FYI FORD - MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum
The Internet's Most Knowledgeable Classic Mustang Information
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT CLASSIC FORD MUSTANGS, YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!
MustangSteve has over 30 years of Mustang experience, having owned 30 of them and restored several others. With the help of other Mustangers, this site is dedicated to helping anyone wanting to restore or modify their Mustang.... THERE ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS!!!!!
Visit MustangSteve's web site to view some of my work and find details for:
FYIFORD Contributors' PICTURES - Power Brake Retrofit Kits for 65-66 Stangs - Classic Mustang FAQ's by MustangSteve - How to wire in a Duraspark Ignition - Mustang Ride Height Pictures and Descriptions - Steel Bushings to fit Granada Spindles to Mustang Tie Rods - Visit my EBAY store MustangSteve Performance - How to Install Granada Disc Brakes MustangSteve's Disc Brake Swap Page - FYIFORD Acronyms for guide to all the acronyms used on this page - FYIFORD Important information and upcoming events

You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?

5/30/2018 7:24 AM  #1


Shelby drop clarification...

As long as I don't drop the UCA more than 1 inch I can do the Shelby drop mod w/ all stock parts right? 

I'm redoing the entire front suspension, (sigh) got to drop some cheddar on new parts and don't want to buy the wrong stuff.

 

5/30/2018 7:56 AM  #2


Re: Shelby drop clarification...

Only buy Moog ball joints, tie rod ends, and UCA shafts/bushings.  So far Rock Auto has 'em.

And, get a template (Daze Cars has 'em) to drill for the Arning/Shelby drop.

BB

Last edited by Bullet Bob (5/30/2018 7:57 AM)


"you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
 

5/30/2018 8:10 AM  #3


Re: Shelby drop clarification...

Yes, you can do it with all stock parts.
I agree with Bob that if you're replacing parts anyway you might as well go with Moog so they'll last longer.

 

5/30/2018 8:36 AM  #4


Re: Shelby drop clarification...

by the way someone locally told me that orielly and autozone PRICE MATCH ROCKAUTO!!!!! which means that you can get your moog parts locally for the same price (orielly and autozone will have you calculate the shipping with rockauto and add that to their price too)

BUT , its good to know! :D and ofcourse for you it is the brand exact. They dont care to look at exact brand names, they look at warranties to be similar.

Just FYI :D


If it aint broke, I have'nt tried to "Fix" it yet!
 

5/30/2018 9:48 AM  #5


Re: Shelby drop clarification...

fyi  I used all Moog Frt end parts. Got them on amazon free shipping/no tax.   NAPA said they had them. But when they pulled them out of the warehouse they were china/mex parts.    

 

5/30/2018 11:54 AM  #6


Re: Shelby drop clarification...

I wonder what has to be done to require one of those UCA tapered ball joint shims.  Thought one of those might be required with the Shelby drop if you are binding the upper ball joint under full compression.

 

5/30/2018 2:16 PM  #7


Re: Shelby drop clarification...

Drop it more than 1" and you need to address the balljoint operating angle.  Shelby used to drop the race cars even lower, like 1.25" or more, and found the ball joints would bind and live short, unpredictable lives.  As stock parts were mandated I believe their solution was to relieve the balljoint housing in a mill to gain the needed clearance (couldn't be seen with the boots in place).  This weakened the ball joints, but apparently was a better option than allowing them to bind. 

The angled shims, etc. are all designed to address the operating angle of the balljoint, but its a myth that you need to do anything on just a simple 1" drop.  All the issues reported were from Shelby's racing program.  Like most myths there was a basis in fact, but the guys retelling the tale over and over lost the origin of the story, and it became a "fact" that any time you lowered the UCA the balljoints became an issue. 

 

5/30/2018 2:49 PM  #8


Re: Shelby drop clarification...

You'll be happy.  Like TKO said, an inch is not a problem.   


'66 Fastback since July 27, 1981. Springtime Yellow, originally a 200 cu in, 4 speed. Also a '92 LX Coupe, 5.0, 5 speed.
 

Board footera


REMEMBER!!! When posting a question about your Mustang or other Ford on this forum, BE SURE to tell us what it is, what year, engine, etc so we have enough information to go on.