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  •  » 65 upper control arm upgrade

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    7/07/2023 9:26 PM  #1

    Nos681
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
    Posts: 3,325

    65 upper control arm upgrade

    Earlier this year, I was able to purchase a lightly used Street or Track (SOT) upper control arms.
    Setup for stock suspension.

    I completed initial install today.
    I installed “as received” and it will require additional adjustments.
    I did disassemble and reassemble to verify no surprises later.

    They appear to be well made.
    Coarse adjustments require disassembly.
    Fine adjustments will still require shims (65-66 stock setup).

    Once I get them dialed in, should be fine.
    I spent at least 2 hours this week hunting down different mounting hardware.
    Gotta love living in BFE…I mean the U.P.

     

    7/07/2023 11:25 PM  #2

    rpm
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
    Posts: 3,628

    Re: 65 upper control arm upgrade

    Seriously... not one photo?

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    7/08/2023 8:07 AM  #3

    Nos681
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
    Posts: 3,325

    Re: 65 upper control arm upgrade

    I would have added pictures, but I was answering phone calls.😂



       •Thread Starter
     

    7/08/2023 9:26 AM  #4

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,819

    Re: 65 upper control arm upgrade

    Tell me again the advantage of these ?
    They do look cool laying on the floor !!!
    6sal6
    Jus yank'in your chain Bro..

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    7/08/2023 9:36 AM  #5

    rpm
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
    Posts: 3,628

    Re: 65 upper control arm upgrade

    Looks nice. Are those Granada brakes?
    Did ya feel any ride difference with the shock mounting location moved compared to stock?

    Last edited by Bearing Bob (7/08/2023 9:38 AM)

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    7/08/2023 6:59 PM  #6

    Nos681
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
    Posts: 3,325

    Re: 65 upper control arm upgrade

    Sal…
    you…serious? 😂



    BB2…

    2016 Mustang GT brakes using Mustang Steve brackets on ‘65 spindles.

    According to my eyeball tape measurements, spring perch is inboard about 1/2” inch from my stock style control arms.

    With the use of my Viking coil overs, I had to push the shock slightly inboard to get mounting bolts installed.
    Previously, had to pull outboard further to get hardware aligned.
    I didn’t notice a significant difference on my test drive to get suspension to settle down.

    I placed my spring adjusters back to “as found” and the front end is sitting slightly higher.
    I figure perhaps due to construction of SOT control arms and the thick spring perch mount may attribute to the difference…spring perch is 3/4” thick…hardware changes.

    I was able to use 1/2” grade 8 flanged bolts and grade 8 top lock (steel) flanged nuts.
    Have enough threads to add shims as needed….none were installed on this first round.

    The WYAIT monster nibbled a little time.
    Checked lower ball joints and greased all steering.

       •Thread Starter
     

    7/10/2023 5:24 AM  #7

    Nos681
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
    Posts: 3,325

    Re: 65 upper control arm upgrade

    Update.

    I was able to dial in more caster without total disassembly.

    Was able to remove the front 5/8” bolt and get the control arm in a position to adjust length (3/4” Heim joints).

    Only made adjustments to the front Heim joints (6 to 9 full turns).

    Rear Heim joints might be more of a challenge or additional disassembly might be required (3 full turns).

    My test drive included simulated lunar surfaces (Michigan roads).

    With the rigid upper control arms, more vibration and shock was transferred to the body.

    Compression reduced from 5 down to 4.
    Rebound stayed at 10.
    Same 350# springs.

    Made a world of difference.

    All “as left” settings for frame to ground measurements were less than 1/16”.

    That’s all I had time for yesterday.
    Camber may still be a little off but near zero +/- 0.5

       •Thread Starter
     

     

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