Going back to suspension choice and design.
Ron Sutton is a great resource and a bucket full on knowledge. You guys are lucky to have him in your community.

The shop already had a proven set up but did some tweaks based on Rons thread. This helped us gain a nice range anti squat % and the right roll range. It allowed us to reduce the spring rate and not have to rely on a rear roll bar. All together make a smoother and greater handling car in all areas.

Thanks Ron!!!

That Falcon will feel like a new car after this work is done--that's for sure.

If the stock trans tunnel is still present, that was undoubtedly part of the reason for the downward-facing rear and trans. Rather than doing what's required, which is removing/raising the whole tunnel for driveshaft and transmission clearance (at low ride height), people make unreasonable compromises like the ones you've encountered. Such ideas of course result in horrible function . . . We've all got to learn somehow.

The car should soon work as good as it looks!

That's what he said when I told him there was a T-56 in it. He asked me if the tunnel was stock, I said yes I think so and he said "than it isn't right". LOL

He ended up cutting the tunnel and the full factory crossmember section out. It was hacked into anyways.

With the tunnel removed he then got to work on the cross member. Original part was from Speedtech and he shortened it.

After all was set in place the rear tunnel section hit and had to be removed. *notice the dyna mat on the shaft. 3 layers.

What the hell... :twak: Amazing what people will do to bandaid a problem.

You are in good hands with advice coming from Ron. Having the coil overs out near the wheels lets the shocks react quicker and sometimes can change the motion ratio to allow you to run a softer spring rate. I so want to incorporate a Ron inspired watts link setup onto my car...someday.

Nice job on fixing the car right, it should be completely different once back on the road.

Yep, once he had the tire space clear he was able to determine that there was enough room to put the shocks between the frame and the tire. Estimates 3/8"- 1/2" between the lower shock mount and the tire. He's looking for more as he explained that since the shock and tire move in the same arch we still have to account for wheel and tire flex.

Having the fabricated rear frame rails makes his job a little easier. Most of the Ridetech parts will work perfectly.

"Reduced cosine and location will allow us to drop the spring rate by a lot. We will play with different rates. You should be looking forward to a soft nice handling car. It will feel planted with the right roll center height."

With the rear end fixed in place (pinion centered and angle set) he started to set up the lower link placement keeping the shock angles in mind. Once the lower was set on the diff he can plan the upper shock mounts. All out of the box Ridetech parts with a few scratch built filler pieces. Making it look too easy. The difference, before and after.

Also pictured is the parallel frame runner for the forward lower lower link mount and the crossmember notch. You can see the old lower wish(it worked) bone mount to the left.

Welcome to the site, Chef. Sounds like you've got some great plans with the Falcon. Glad that the prior incident wasn't more serious.

Also, I'm not sure measuring across the lower rib on the T56 is accurate. That measurement is typically taken on the rear seal surface or the tail shaft sticking out the back of the trans. I'm sure they'll get it right though.

Good luck with the build! Keep us updated.

Yep, thank you Trey. That was a reference measurement pictured.It's the same give or take 0.1 but he explained that its the differential between the tail shaft and the rear end pinion angle that is the important number. What it is in relationship to the ground level is irrelevant.

The picture he took at the output shaft was the same number but way out of focus to post. He told me he takes angles measurements at different areas so you have multiple options to check accurate angles in case one becomes inaccessible during the build. I think I remembered seeing tape notes on pan, bell housing and starter too.

I believe he likes to stay within 3 degrees. We ended up with 2 degrees final. We will see how it feels. I guess its easy to adjust now.

So with the lower links made, the housing brackets tack welded to the rear , the coil over shock mounts made and tack welded in he started working on the upper links mounts and links.

Huge fan of the car, I've been following the progress of this build on instagram


Really awesome car, I'm hoping to see the completed car at the cars and coffee at TI here soon.

Thanks for the compliments. Its a fun car. The Cars and coffee show in SF is always a great turn out.