1963-1/2 Ford Falcon Futura
 

I also mounted and balanced a set of wheels/tires for a buddies 1970 Boss Mustang build. These were custom made for the car and they look GREAT. Fronts are 17x9 with 255/40r17 BFG’s and the rears are 17x9.5” with 275/40r17.

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Here’s a few shots of the rearend setup under it.. Fays2 Watts link.

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I started the install of the Maier Panhard bar setup today. I got all the stuff that was under there out and did a test fit of the mount. Looks like it’s actually going to clear my current tail pipe layout which is awesome. I’m installing a girdle style differential cover that I’ve had for quite some time then I can be sure the bar is going to clear the cover too.

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Remember, this only a test fit, so nothing is tight or adjusted.


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That's a lot of cool stuff--it's not even a holiday yet! I do remember how quickly the tire rubbing issues on the Falcon can prompt one to act, however; the panhard was excellent for setting a final tire size. My final wheel and tire size with the panhard/stick axle setup was a 15x8 and a 225-45 (Hankook RS3). I had zero rub with decent articulation, but it took some metal removal from the inner fender.

Have you had the opportunity to try the GT 350 out at Barber Motorsports Park?

I’ve got a 17x7” wheel with a 225/40r17 on it and they fit fine except when cornering and then they rubbed slightly. I rolled the inner fender lip pretty dramatically though.

I haven’t had the chance to take the GT350 out on Barber’s yet, but a ride in a GT350R around Barber’s is what convinced me to buy the car. The R is sweet, but I am scared of the carbon wheels...& the additional cost [emoji23].


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I was tinkering on the Falcoon tonight and noticed this... I now know where some of my rub is. Uh Oh! I lowered it an inch with this upgrade...

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1963-1/2 Ford Falcon Futura
 

No pictures, but I’m still waiting on the correct spring perch and panhard bar. So, I went back to work on the interior. I started on the install of the new door panels and such.


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I’m a little disgruntled, but I’m still waiting on Mike for the correct spring perch and panhard bar. I did figure out that my previous swaybar works flawlessly with the new panhard bar mount. It cost me $14 in grade 8 fine thread hardware.

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I had a little shop time this afternoon, so I decided since I didn’t have the rest of the rear suspension pieces I’d work on the interior some. I got the new black door panels, rear panels, kick panels and the parcel shelf in. I like the extra bit of black as it really helps break up all the red.

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And, since it’s sitting on the floor, I snapped a couple of pictures to show how it’ll sit with the rear dropped.

Before...

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After...

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It looks good, man! Just watch out for the driveshaft-to-rear tunnel clearance over bumps (Craig510 probably has something on this in his thread), especially if there are any balance weights near the rear of your driveshaft. Lookin' good is hard work . . .

Oh gosh!!! I didn’t even think to check this. I hope not, but I’m sure that’ll be the next issue! Damn it. [emoji2959]


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1963-1/2 Ford Falcon Futura
 

Well, I finally got a chance to take a look at clearances for the driveshaft and it looks like I still have about 2-1/2” of clearance at the closest spot, so hopefully I’ll be good!!! Shwew!!!

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I also just spoke with Brant from Fiske wheels and I’m contemplating moving from the 17x7” VN527’s to a set of 18x8” fm-10’s that I already have. They are a set of the Ford Motorsport 18x10 race wheels that I’ve had for some time. He’s going to get me a price on a set of inner barrels and shipping.

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Just checked the tracking number and it looks like parts from Mike will be here tomorrow!!! :D


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1963-1/2 Ford Falcon Futura
 

On another note, I finally got the correct parts from Mike tonight. So, I only had a little bit of time, but I got them installed and adjusted appropriately. I think this is really going to make a pretty significant difference in how the car is going to handle.

Here are a few pictures of it installed and the correct versus incorrect parts...

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Bottom pieces are the correct ones...

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Not the best picture, but I like how it sits!

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I also got the last few pieces in the interior... I like the black pieces more & more...

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I drove the Falcoon up to my friend Sherman's today. Just shy of 70 miles round trip and it was awesome. Frickin’ tires still skkkiiirrrkkkk every once in a while. I hate that sh1t. I'm going to have to do a narrower rearend which means... If I do it, I'm going to go ahead and minitub it too. Then I can run a 9" wheel out back with plenty of room. I'm just gonna stay with the halibrand style wheel for now. The Fikse wheels need radder brakes, suspension and purty paint. That'll be the next iteration.


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Need?
Sits nice. Is the rubbing on corners/turn or straight-line compression?

Thanks! I like how it sits too.

They don’t “need”, but I’d prefer. The 10” front discs and rear drums hide well behind these wheels but would be very noticeable. My excuse anyway :D

The passenger side rubs on right hand corners. Turn the panhard bar 1/2 turn the other way and the drivers side rubs. I’ve already ‘finessed’ the inner fenders and lips as much as I feel comfortable doing.


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1963-1/2 Ford Falcon Futura
 

After a few drives, I did figure out that I don’t like the 17” factory style steering wheel, so I put in a 14” black billet one. Geez, it’s fantastic! You can see the Dakota Digital gauges too.

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That's a good looking steering wheel.

Thanks!!! I really dig it!


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Sometimes, progress just needs to be measured in millimeters . . .

Another part of the equation that can help, while still avoiding some of the binding with the leaf spring setup is going to heavy-duty shackles with poly or Del-Alum bushings. Some say to leave the fronts rubber and stiffen the rears, while others say to put solid bushings in front and leave the shackle bushings rubber. I put poly in the fronts and rears, and it did seem to help just a bit more; I didn't notice binding on street or track. The heavy shackles with poly bushings, many years ago, were only about 40 bucks.

That said, at some point, I said "f-it" and just whacked the inner fenders with an angle grinder (far simpler solution than narrowing axle and mini-tubbing). No more contact happened after that. Still, the car was destined to be a Corvette anyway . . .

I took the 1” drop blocks out and no more rubbing. I’ll revisit this in the future, but for now it’s good. Now I’m going to spend some time getting Walter running & driving.

Walter is my one owner (previous to me) 1968 C10 SWB 2wd. I’ve got a complete PorterBuilt touring dropmember’ed chassis with accuair. He’ll be powered by a mild’ish EFI 468 with a built 700r4, 3.42/Eaton equipped 12 bolt. And 14” 6-piston front and 13” 4-piston rear Wilwood brakes will handle the slowing down portion. Dakota Digital gauges, painless wiring harness, etc for the inside. And, He will keep his patina.

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New front ride height and the RaD vintage AAA bumper sticker...

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Walter aired out with the new Slosh Tubz inner fenders.

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Wheel choice fits well.

Here’s a new pic from a recent outing with my wife. I do love it.

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Drove it yesterday just to get some miles on it.

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After several hundred miles, I know I need more tire out back. So, I’m going to try the Detroit Speed mini tub kit for a 64-1/2 to 70 Mustang. I also decided to move forward on fitting the fikse FM10’s and ordered new inner barrels for the future fronts to make them into 8”

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Cool stuff, man! Thought I'd give you some motivation (or the opposite) with a pic of my dirty bird:

^^^ That thing is RoWdY looking! Love it!


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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...64ed145f6b.jpg
It’s gettin’ real :)


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Very cool. I have always wondered how those fit in a falcon.

Great wheel choice! Fikse are such a classic looking wheel. The FM5 and FM10 are my favorites.

Poor Walter D..... :poke:

[emoji1787]. Yeah, I really prefer the Falcon. I keep contemplating selling Walter, but I’d lose my a$$ on him.


Mine TOO!!


I hope to start on them in a couple of weeks.


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I have toyed with ordering the Detroit Speed Mustang mini tubs for my 64, looking forward to seeing and hearing about your install.

I plan on getting the Falcoon up on the lift this weekend, so I can do some serious comparison. My thought process is, it’s just metal!


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I did drive it back & forth to work today. 80 miles round trip & no issues. Also broke the 500 mile mark, so time for a good once over of the valves, etc and an oil change using synthetic. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...12266f1658.jpg
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