how to make my maverick handle better...

Discussion in 'Technical' started by random hero, Jul 12, 2009.

Page 1 of 6
  1. random hero

    random hero 1972 ford maverick I6

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2007
    Messages:
    488
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    hudson valley
    Vehicle:
    1972 maverick
    i recently purchased disc brakes for my mav and now i need to get new wheels and tires (4 lug-5 lug conversion) i have 14 inch wheels, and i want to go bigger...but not tacky. maybe 17's for a resto-mod look. but performance is more important. i'm not sure what rim/tire combo will give the best handeling. 16x8 17x8 any suggestions. also what else could i do to increase handeling?
     
    random hero, Jul 12, 2009
    #1
  2. mashori

    mashori Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2006
    Messages:
    3,630
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, Ca
    Vehicle:
    1971 V8 Maverick
    I just went through this myself. The tire will probably have more of an effect on your road handling than 16" vs 17". Wider in the front will make turning harder but will give your more of a grip.
    I got the most bang for my buck by installing a sway bar in the back and a bigger one in the front. That by far made the car handle the best. Then after I got an alignment I noticed another HUGE difference.
    I had all the front end parts replaced (except springs) and that did nothing in my opinion. I'm sure made the car safer but that's it.
     
    mashori, Jul 12, 2009
    #2
  3. maverick maniac

    maverick maniac Banned

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2009
    Messages:
    892
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    owensboro ky
    Vehicle:
    72 sprint v/8 3 grabbers 73 comet and a 77 comet race car
    the best way is to change the rear spring to a 5 spring set up that will give you most bang for the buck (and sway bars of course)
     
    maverick maniac, Jul 12, 2009
    #3
  4. mavgrab302

    mavgrab302 MCCI Florida State Rep

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2007
    Messages:
    4,475
    Likes Received:
    140
    Trophy Points:
    147
    Location:
    Ocala,Florida
    Vehicle:
    71 Maverick Grabber
    Bigger sway bars and lower the car a couple inches. tire combo will help too......
     
    mavgrab302, Jul 12, 2009
    #4
  5. mashori

    mashori Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2006
    Messages:
    3,630
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, Ca
    Vehicle:
    1971 V8 Maverick
    I'm not familiar with a 5 spring setup, what is that exactly?
     
    mashori, Jul 12, 2009
    #5
  6. Positively Ralf

    Positively Ralf Here and There

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2008
    Messages:
    585
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    73
    Location:
    Yonkers, NY
    Vehicle:
    1974 Maverick
    You guys talking about the leaf or coil spring here?

    Also, how hard is it to install a sway bar cause if it can improve the ride I'm all for it.
     
    Positively Ralf, Jul 12, 2009
    #6
  7. Positively Ralf

    Positively Ralf Here and There

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2008
    Messages:
    585
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    73
    Location:
    Yonkers, NY
    Vehicle:
    1974 Maverick
    just a bump for an answer!
     
    Positively Ralf, Jul 14, 2009
    #7
  8. jbbossmav

    jbbossmav Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    md.
    Vehicle:
    71 maverick grabber
    they are talking about the leaf springs. do a search on rear springs and you will see there are guys who have taken leafs off of an E-250 or E-150 van (im not sure which) and used them on the maverick. you can mix, add leafs to get the ride you want.
    i got 620 lb mustang lowering springs for the front and i'll lower the back to match.
    i got a 3/4 sway bar for the rear and although ive read a few arguments here about using mustang swaybars on the front. im going to give it a try.
    im also using 7x17 and 8x17 wheels.
    should handle pretty good if i can ever get some ~%^*ing headers that fit!
     
    jbbossmav, Jul 14, 2009
    #8
  9. maverick maniac

    maverick maniac Banned

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2009
    Messages:
    892
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    owensboro ky
    Vehicle:
    72 sprint v/8 3 grabbers 73 comet and a 77 comet race car
    Sorry had that wrong it is a 4 leaf spring set up you take out your leaf springs and replace with the 4 easy to do and helps a lot
     
    maverick maniac, Jul 14, 2009
    #9
  10. bmcdaniel

    bmcdaniel Senile Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2002
    Messages:
    6,822
    Likes Received:
    681
    Trophy Points:
    318
    Location:
    York. PA
    Vehicle:
    '70 Maverick Grabber
    Put a Corvette chassis under it.
     
    bmcdaniel, Jul 14, 2009
    #10
  11. maverick maniac

    maverick maniac Banned

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2009
    Messages:
    892
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    owensboro ky
    Vehicle:
    72 sprint v/8 3 grabbers 73 comet and a 77 comet race car
    now lets keep it in the same family t bird or Lincoln both have independent rears
     
    maverick maniac, Jul 14, 2009
    #11
  12. bmcdaniel

    bmcdaniel Senile Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2002
    Messages:
    6,822
    Likes Received:
    681
    Trophy Points:
    318
    Location:
    York. PA
    Vehicle:
    '70 Maverick Grabber
    Yeah, but they don't handle like a 'Vette.
     
    bmcdaniel, Jul 14, 2009
    #12
  13. markso125

    markso125 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2007
    Messages:
    1,714
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    117
    Location:
    Lewiston Ut
    Vehicle:
    1972 maverick 2 door LDO
    Depends on which 'Vette you are talking about, I think they both handle allot better then a cheVette :rofl2:
     
    markso125, Jul 14, 2009
    #13
  14. maverick maniac

    maverick maniac Banned

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2009
    Messages:
    892
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    owensboro ky
    Vehicle:
    72 sprint v/8 3 grabbers 73 comet and a 77 comet race car
    that has to do with the flex of the unibody if ford would have done something about that they would
     
    maverick maniac, Jul 14, 2009
    #14
  15. Mavman72

    Mavman72 Gone backwards but lookin' forward

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2007
    Messages:
    6,759
    Likes Received:
    272
    Trophy Points:
    273
    Location:
    Buffalo N.Y.
    Vehicle:
    1972 Maverick 2 door.Original V-8 3 spd std shift.Also a 72 one owner Sprint sporting a 351 Windsor
    Stiffen up the chassis(subframe connectors)tighten up the front/rear suspension(new parts...Not urethane either)Lower the ride height front/rear.Add Sway bars front/rear.If you have a V-8 use at least a 7/8" bar up front.Good shock absorbers all the way around(not wall mart cheapies)tie the towers together with a montecarlo bar(not the car)now go to a light weight wheel tire combo with a soft rubber compound and some upgraded brakes to help shed speed when you are late braking through the corners in your neighborhood(dont do that in town)Theres alot to making a car handel.Taloring spring rates form fornt to back side to side.Different alignment settings,castor/camber and toe.Stiffening the rest of the cars body/chassis.Engine set back for weight distribution etc...It can get pretty heavy and long haired with the math and such.The basics listed above and all through this thread are enough to make you happy with a street car.Good luck!!!
     
    Mavman72, Jul 14, 2009
    #15
Page 1 of 6

Share This Page