My attempt at a 71 street machine

A little back round for this build. The first car my mom bought was a 1972 Grabber. Several years after getting married my dad traded off her beloved Mav for a Toyota pickup. He was NEVER forgiven! And she has always talked about that car. About a year ago I came across this 71 Mav grabber and couldnt help but bring it home. My mom doesn't know yet!.

 

The plan was to install fuel injection and a fresh coat of paint. But knowing that its been setting awhile all systems needed to be went thru and safety checked. That's how it started!
I have installed a roller 5.0 from a 1991 grand marque with speed density and AOD transmission.

Cleaned the gas tank and installed fuel pump.
Then decited it needs subframe connectors, while I was under there went ahead and really stiffen it up with an x-member.

Next was the brakes new master cylinder and rebuild all wheel cylinders.

 

Once the motor was in it I decited to look at the suspension. A Shelby drop and half a coil later I think I'm to low. Anyone with experience here please chime in I'm looking to keep it low but I'm worried about rubbing the fender thru turns

Once I stumped myself on the front I started to see what I can screw up out back.
After a long evening of staring at the leaf springs I wanted to try something different.
So I started designing a torque arm suspension.

I built control arm/ coilover mounts that bolt on in place of the leaf. Using the front spring mount location. This gave me 23 inch lower control arms angled up 2 degrees and about 80% anti squat.
Now I'm working on the actual torque arm which is 66" long 1.5" o.d. DOM connected on the lower axle plate with 1" supports to the upper plate. There will then be a slider joint bolted to the transmission crossmember.
Once again if anyone with experience can see a flaw in my designs please explain. This is my first attempt at suspension design.

 

What size are the front tires? I don't know that it's too low, but I wouldn't go any lower.

 

Currently 195/70-15 looking to go to 215/50-17 at some point

 

I like what you're doing...
would like to know more about the control arm/ coilover mounts . what coilovers are you going to use?

 

I'd go with a 225/45-17 on a 4.o" or 4.25" backspace on the front. No more than 4.o"

 

Im looking at the Carrera 2254c coilover kit from speedway motors or maby QA1's. When I get home I will get a closer picture of the mounts.

 

Crazy larry I have 17x7 with 4" B.S. and 225/50-17 on the shopping list. But I will look for a 45 series tire.

 

Here are some pictures for you frank.
the main part is 2x4 cut 4" the rest is 1.5 angle. I Still need bushings

 

really cool project.

the one problem i see is the torque arm design. the mounts on the diff wont be ridged enough. they will be able to bend. you need put the torque arm plates laterally along the top and bottom of the diff housing. you also dont want to run just one tube for the arm. 2 tubes with ladder work is best. you dont want any horizontal deflection in the torque arm. heres a pic that shows what im talking about.

 

also you need some sort of a lateral location link, like a pan hard bar, watts link or, mumford link.

 

Ive got a watts link in the works but I haven't quite got a design for the torque arm yet.
I looking at something like BMR style arms. Or something like

maby a combination of the 2

 

I think you have a great car in the works. Did you fab up the subframe connectors and X member or is it off the shelf stuff?

Can't wait to see how it comes out.

 

I'm trying to keep next to no budget. So far I bought a transmission cross member from frank otherwise everything else is hand built.