how to make my maverick handle better...

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

  1. facelessnumber

    facelessnumber Drew Pittman

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2007
    Messages:
    3,710
    Likes Received:
    31
    Trophy Points:
    157
    Location:
    Memphis, TN
    Vehicle:
    '71 Grabber
    E150 springs, details here. I've been very happy with that setup, and yes the nicest thing about it is I can change up the leaf pack pretty easily. Want more load capacity? Run 4 or 5 leafs. Softer ride? Run shorter springs. Want it to be soft for the small bumps but stiff for bigger bumps and body roll? Make a bigger jump in size between the main leaf and the next one, then keep the rest of them closer together in size. You'll want a stiffer shock for those springs too - Nissan pickup shocks fit.

    I'm also running bolt-on leaf spring clamps. Mainly so I can take apart the leaf pack easily, but they also help with handling and traction, believe it or not.

    For the front, I cut down a set of '85 Mustang GT springs. My tires are 235's on 17x8 wheels. Overall the things I've done to the suspension have made a dramatic difference. I feel like I could just about autocross this thing it corners so well, and I haven't even touched the swaybars yet. Can't wait to get that done. I expect swaybars will make a pretty big impact too.
     
  2. Grabber72

    Grabber72 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2004
    Messages:
    97
    Likes Received:
    27
    Trophy Points:
    72
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Stamford NY
    Vehicle:
    1972 Maverick Grabber, 306 4-bbl, headers, C4
    If you're on a tight budget, go to a junkyard and find a Ford Ranger. They have the right bolt pattern, and were available with wheels 14" right up through 16". I got a very inexpensive (free) set of 15x8 rims and they bolted right on.
     
  3. bmcdaniel

    bmcdaniel Senile Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2002
    Messages:
    6,822
    Likes Received:
    681
    Trophy Points:
    318
    Location:
    York. PA
    Vehicle:
    '70 Maverick Grabber
    Back in the 70s I tried adding some leafs from a station wagon to my Mav. The rear sat up about a foot higher and the shocks didn't reach the mounts, LOL. So I guess if you experiment you can get any height between stock and rediculous.
     
  4. facelessnumber

    facelessnumber Drew Pittman

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2007
    Messages:
    3,710
    Likes Received:
    31
    Trophy Points:
    157
    Location:
    Memphis, TN
    Vehicle:
    '71 Grabber
    Oh yeah. That too! :rofl2:
     
  5. bowstick

    bowstick Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2007
    Messages:
    341
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    baton rouge
    Vehicle:
    1972 maverick 302
    Ive got all new PST poly bushings, KYB GR2 shocks front and back, Addco Front and rear sway bars, cut 1.5 coils on front springs. Oh and disk brakes.

    I also have 17x7 up front 17x8 in the back.

    handles like a dream, I had to get bucket seats to stop sliding across the front of my bench seat.
     
  6. David74maverick

    David74maverick Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2005
    Messages:
    818
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    127
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    '74 maverick, '87 Celica
    Are the fox body springs (1985...) a better choice than '67-'73 springs? thanks.
     
  7. Joe Dirt

    Joe Dirt BBF life

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2008
    Messages:
    4,375
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    172
    Location:
    Cleveland, TN
    Vehicle:
    1970 ford torino #1
    the first thing these cars need is a rear sway bar IMO
     
  8. michael stout

    michael stout Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2008
    Messages:
    76
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    tempe az
    Vehicle:
    72 sprint, 72 maverick 250 6 cyl
    I got a rack and pinon setup.. and 15 in wheels off a 08 mustang. the tires i put on made a huge difrence.imo 17 in wheels are too big.but build your car for you not me:drive:
     
  9. facelessnumber

    facelessnumber Drew Pittman

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2007
    Messages:
    3,710
    Likes Received:
    31
    Trophy Points:
    157
    Location:
    Memphis, TN
    Vehicle:
    '71 Grabber
    I don't know... If you're buying them new, the early ones might be a better choice since those cars had the same type of front suspension. Might not have to cut them.
     
  10. 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 actually have an 88 mustang gt that i am stripping for parts...your saying i could use those springs instead of buying new ones? they are eibach lowering springs...
     
  11. facelessnumber

    facelessnumber Drew Pittman

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2007
    Messages:
    3,710
    Likes Received:
    31
    Trophy Points:
    157
    Location:
    Memphis, TN
    Vehicle:
    '71 Grabber
    My coils came from an '85 GT, so I don't see why not.
     
  12. eds73mav302

    eds73mav302 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    pomona ca, 91767
    Vehicle:
    maverick
    i had to get custom headers man, its worth it though. I bought hooker headers and had a local muffler shop heat them and warp them to fit.
     
  13. eds73mav302

    eds73mav302 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    pomona ca, 91767
    Vehicle:
    maverick

    what exactly do you mean by tie the towers together with a montecarlo bar. Can you give me the specifics on how to go about getting that bar or ordering, id appreciate it.
     
  14. demo913

    demo913 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2004
    Messages:
    444
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    75 maverick 351w
    I been looking for a maverick monte carlo bar also.
     
  15. David74maverick

    David74maverick Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2005
    Messages:
    818
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    127
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    '74 maverick, '87 Celica
    I don't think anyone makes them but I've seen people on here buy one for a early mustang one then chop and reweld it to fit.
     

Share This Page