Lakewood lists #21604 tractions bars for Maverick and Comets. Members here, incl me, have ordered them but discovered the shock mounts can't work. Problem is the mounting holes for the shocks are almost straight out from the U-bolt holes in the spring plate. With shock mounting holes in that position, the shocks hit the axle before they line up with the holes. People who use them have to weld a piece on and make the shock mount holes in the correct location. I got my 21604s from Summit hoping the shock mount issue had been fixed. Nope. Called them to tell them they can't possibly work as they are and that shouldn't be news to them since others have had the same problem months ago. Summit tech guy gave me a number to call Lakewood, etc., tech support. I THINK the Lakewood tech was finally convinced there was a problem but he wouldn't do anything about it except tell their sales people. Lakewood #21602 is listed for Mustangs. They are similar to the 21604s - same length - but have extended tabs for the shock mounts to allow the shocks to clear the axle. Members here have used the 21602s on their Maverick or Comet, at least with 9" rears. Not sure if anyone has used 21602s with 8" axles or if they had to make any mods but I think they'll work as is. Got a pair of 21602s from another source (not in stock at Summit) and have not yet returned the 21604s. Wanted to do a side-by-side comparison and post some pictures and info. 21604s specs say they are for 2.75" axle tubes. 21602s are for 3" axle tubes but it looks like the holes are made to accomodate 2.75" U-bolts. I don't expect I'll need to modify the holes for the 2.75" U-bolts. The tab for the small U-bolt that goes over the front of the spring to keep the bars off the pavement when braking are in different places on the 21604s and 21602s. 21604s are about 2" further forward. Don't expect that makes any difference except maybe the U-bolt will interfer with the parking brake cable. Should be an easy fix if it does. I won't be installing the traction bars for a while. My custom exhaust is hitting the DS tailpipe and I need to convince the installer to fix it before I put in an aftermarket shock mount. My Mav is currently down getting a Traction-Loc - exhaust fixes are next. But, when I do get them installed, I'll post the results. Posting now to let anyone that might be about to order know about the comparison. 21602s look like the answer for Mavs and Comets.
I don't see how on earth those 604's shock tabs would ever have worked on either a Mav or a Stang. The guy who dreamed that up must have been smokin crack, pot or acid when he did that. Or just plain didn't like Fords. I'm glad I had the Stang bars left over when I decided to use em on my Comet. Saved me some blood pressure pills.
Right!! I told the techs at both Summit and Lakewood there's no way they could work on any vehicle. From what others here said, they heard about the problem before. Can't understand why they're still selling them.
This brings up a curiosity... Could square tubing (of the proper length and size) be welded directly to the stock U-bolt plate on the Maverick with those rubber bumpers added to function as "built-in" traction bars? Assuming all the measurements and angles are the same, too.
the 604's whats on my car and they look just like the ones with the dual shock tabs worked fine with the stock 8" but i had to move the tab when i went with the 3.25" tube 8.8 in my car
The lakewood bottom plates are about three times thicker :16suspect than stock spring plates. Something to think about.
I believe you but that's a real mystery. The shock mount holes are about 1.5" closer to the the axle and, like others have reported, there's no way the rear shocks could be installed on 604s on my car. I'm trying to get Summit to cover the return shipping even tho its not their policy.
Not sure why they wouldn't work for you guys I mean they were close to the axle tubes buut didn't touch I did use the included spacers tfhat lakewood sent to space the shock at the top as per the instructions.
maybe you need to cut that side ears. i put one lakewood pair in my mav and theres no any problem, cause they just have an square plate with the four holes on it
