Can you please tell me which of the older mustangs are a good donor for the parts to fit on to one of the mustang crossmembers that are sold by all the dealers. I am picking up a 76 mustang for free and wanted to now what parts may be salvagable for my chevy 53 3100 pu. Was hopeing for the front suspension, m/c, not sure what else maybe of use, any thoughts. Thanks Ed ke6bnl So.Calif.

Im sure you can use the susp. parts from the Mustang II, and as you said ist free, but befor you get traped into the mustang parts , take a strool to your local bone yard and look under a Ford Aerostar front end, every thing in one piece, mounted with six bolts, Im talking rack ,spindles, 5 lug disc, sway bar only non mounted item, Just A thought, might save some time and money. Good Luck. JF

Literally all the parts from a 76 will fit your aftermarket crossmember including the rack. I would still rebuild everything with new ball joints, bushings, calipers, bearings and check the rotors for wear as well. A new set of 4 cyl. springs would also be in order. Don't use the old ones. They're cheap at about $50 a set anyway. For a small block you won't need the V6 or V8 springs. With a big block you might go to the 4 cyl with air springs but if you use the bigger springs you won't be happy and you'll be wasting your money. Been there done that. My 41 pro-street car (461 big block) uses the 4 cyl. springs and rides quite well and my hemi powered '53 pickup project uses the 4 cyl. with air springs.

Before spending any money on an Aerostar front end I'd measure the width to make sure it isn't too wide. I would also be very skeptical of its strength. Those things were pieces of crap when new and used up wheel bearings on a regular basis. I replaced two sets in our new Aerostar back in '89 in the first 30,000 miles. Traded it shortly after that. It was the last new Ford I'll ever own.

Good luck.

Centerline
<a href="http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com" target="_blank">http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com</A>

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Centerline
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"Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

I bought a wrecked V-8 '76 Mustang II as a parts car for my son's '36 Pontiac. Car gave it the front x-member, suspension and power steering, power brakes, 8" rear end, and air conditioning. That last item was made by Vintage Air but sure looks like it was installed in the factory. Also, these cars have a great little floor tranny shifter that can be adapted to most street rods. Don't know if you would want it on your pickup though. Sold the hatch back and doors for what I paid for the car and had the rest towed to the junk yard. Free parts!

Sounds like good advice, I do plan to run it stock suspension, new dual master and then go from there on the improvement. Certainly will file the information, and go with the 4 cyl springs. I eventually want a kushy ride and better stopping. Ed ke6bnl


[quote]Originally posted by Centerline:
<strong>Literally all the parts from a 76 will fit your aftermarket crossmember including the rack. I would still rebuild everything with new ball joints, bushings, calipers, bearings and check the rotors for wear as well. A new set of 4 cyl. springs would also be in order. Don't use the old ones. They're cheap at about $50 a set anyway. For a small block you won't need the V6 or V8 springs. With a big block you might go to the 4 cyl with air springs but if you use the bigger springs you won't be happy and you'll be wasting your money. Been there done that. My 41 pro-street car (461 big block) uses the 4 cyl. springs and rides quite well and my hemi powered '53 pickup project uses the 4 cyl. with air springs.

Before spending any money on an Aerostar front end I'd measure the width to make sure it isn't too wide. I would also be very skeptical of its strength. Those things were pieces of crap when new and used up wheel bearings on a regular basis. I replaced two sets in our new Aerostar back in '89 in the first 30,000 miles. Traded it shortly after that. It was the last new Ford I'll ever own.

Good luck.

Centerline
<a href="http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com" target="_blank">http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com</a></strong><hr></blockquote>

Ed, I have not had experience with 4 cyl springs, but if you have V 6 springs, hang on to them just in case. I ran V 6 springs under a 2700 # PU with a SBC 350 and they were very good. If you can see your way to it, I strongly recommend an aftermarket crossmember that will provide you with many more upgrades in the future, whereas you are pretty much stuck with what you got when you stick the OEM cross member under your truck.

Trees

[quote]Originally posted by trees:
<strong>Ed, I have not had experience with 4 cyl springs, but if you have V 6 springs, hang on to them just in case. I ran V 6 springs under a 2700 # PU with a SBC 350 and they were very good. If you can see your way to it, I strongly recommend an aftermarket crossmember that will provide you with many more upgrades in the future, whereas you are pretty much stuck with what you got when you stick the OEM cross member under your truck.

Trees</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes I do plan on puchasing the Heidts cross member then putting on the donor parts from the mustang with the rebuilt suspension parts. This is a low budget project, I am still working on a Ford 50 F1 that I am doing with most of the upgraded parts and accessories. The Chevy 53 will be a daily driver. Thanks for the advice. Ed