Hi All, I'm looking at relocating my leaf springs inboard a few inches for tire clearance. I know Crites carries these kits for just about every Ford except the Maverick. Has anyone got pix of these kits? Anyone actually installed one of their kits? From reading around the 'net, I'm seeing that some guys are using the Mopar "B" body kit from Summit for the front. I *think* I can use these and still fit Caltrac bars inside them. I can make something work for the rear hangers. Still need to offset my tank though (that's another post). Thanks! Russ
I dont have pics but the guy that did the mini tub work made new brakets & new wheel wells. Also new brackets for the shocks and I did have to lose the tank. I guess you could center the tank but i'm not sure on that. There may be a pic in my gallery to get an idea of how far in he went.
If I do it, there'll be plenty of pix! Still pondering feasiblilty... If I do the springs, it's only a matter of scalloping the rear part of the frame rail 2" and a 3" minitub job like "streetrod" said and 325 DR's will fit no sweat. Russ
Well, I'm gonna do it! I've got "parts on order" and should be able to start next weekend. I'll post back with pix later. Russ
Look at the left (driver's) side rear of the car to make sure you can clear the fuel tank sender. It runs within a couple of inches to the springs on the 72 I own. There is barely enough room for duel exhause between the spring and fuel tank. Just something to think about before you buy parts.
Paul, I've already planned on using a Mustang tank that allows for centering between the rails, there's a good tech article here for that... Russ
Hey Russ, if you want any tips or need to see how the Mustang tank fits in there just let me know. Been there, done that as it were.
Tony, E-Mail sent! Got the rear relocation shackles done today, still waiting on parts for the fronts. If I change anything, it will be the top bushings. These need to be solid because the leaf pivot is no longer "in-line" with the frame pivot and it will pull sideways with rubber bushings. Crites uses (2) stepped bushings, but I didn't have anything but 1" OD stuff in my scrap bin and I'd need 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" stuff. After making these, I ended up turning snap-ring grooves to keep it centered in the frame. That and the rather "large" spacers made from 1 1/2" hex stock. Could easily get by with smaller stuff there... Pix... the one with the green background is a Crites kit for an early Falcon, the white pic is a Mopar S/S kit from Summit, the other 3 are my stuff. Russ
Looking good. Still trying to figure out how your going to do the front mount. I would add some triangular braces to the shackles. JMO
Looks great...for the front mount, make a square type mount. Box it in & weld it to the inside frame rail & floor. If this help. I may not be wording it right, hard to put into words but this is what mines look like. Someone else did the work so it may be more than what it looks like.
Bad me, no pics. I'm going by what I remember. I know the box is connected to the inside of the framerails.
