I have an idea for my Challenge build. When I look at pictures and diagrams of Fox body front hubs and spindles it looks like I could use Mustang uprights and attach them to something like a VW strut. It would allow me to use the hubs without converting to the whole Mustang A-arms,etc.I'd get the Mustang brakes along with the uprights.I haven't gone to the junkyard and looked at parts to validate this idea yet.Just wondering what the hive thinks about it.
As long as the camber angle on the struts is roughly the same to start with, and you can fabricate a way to attach the steering arm.
In reply to tr8todd:
That's what I was thinking. Most strut cars have the spring on the strut, but it looks like Mustangs have the coil located on the lower A-arm, so my "concern", if any, would be is the top of the upright strong enough to take the loading. Any pictures, or diagrams make it look like a sturdy piece.
If I do an engine swap the steering may have to be relocated anyway so any fabricating to handle bump steer may be in the cards, no matter what.
I'm not sure about your specific application, but in general, the SN95 spindles are a better choice than the Fox ones. Separate rotors and hubs are the big thing, but they are also 5-lug vs. 4, and IIRC the geometry is improved, as well. You can also fit bigger/better brakes. At this point, they should be just as plentiful and cheap, too.
In that case you might want to look at some other strut car that does put the spring on the strut to donate an upright with big brakes and bearings. Not like there's a shortage of full size FWD stuff to look at that fits the bill, do you have a bolt pattern in mind?
In reply to Kenny_McCormic:
I'm only thinking Ford bolt circle and bigger brakes if I use an Explorer rear end. I'd like to build it (but not absolutely necessary)with the same bolt circle front and rear, and if I have Explorer rear discs I'd like to have the appropriately sized front brakes. I thought Mustang uprights might be one way to do it.
Well I am very familiar with both VW struts (Mk I chassis) and Mustang spindles. I owned a '86, '92, & a '93 Cobra "R". That last one used the 1994-95 spindles which I later swapped to 1996 and later one for their better geometry for racing. The Mustang strut mounts are angled backward where the VW strut mounts are 90 deg. to the direction of travel. The thickness of the mount on the Mustang also varies by model. The 4Cyl spindles up to '93 are one size where the V8 from '87 - 93 are another. The 94 and later are still a different size. You can convert the Fox 4 lug to 5 by getting Ford Ranger rotors and using Mustang bearings and races in them as the Ranger wheel bearings are a different size to fit the Ranger spindles.
As for going a true strut (Coil over) that's not an issue. Many Mustang road racers convert to a true coil over front end. There are complete kits that replace the K member & LCA's with fabricated parts and that requires a coil over spring on the strut.
In reply to Tom_Spangler:
I don't think of the SN95 cars as much different from Fox bodies. I need to learn the differences because I'd want 5-bolt hubs. A Fox 4-bolt doesn't help much, other than bigger brakes than the car has now.
I'll look into the SN95 stuff. Thanks for straightening me out on that, Tom.
In reply to jimbbski:
That's very helpful info. Diagrams seemed to show the angled bolt holes on the Mustang upright, so I ASSumed that I might be able to weld extensions to a VW style strut and drill holes accordingly. The Ranger hub trick might come in handy.
The spindles should be strong enough to handle struts with springs on them.
The dampers carry about 60-80% of the total vehicle weight since they are trying to control the springs.
5x114.3, right? You could look at GM H body spindles, those are 5x115, close enough for wobble nuts, 12" x 1.25" thick rotors. Or maybe Toyota Avalon, that 5x114.3. Taurus won't work, the spindle on those clamp onto the round strut body directly, making adapting a rabbit or similar strut housing difficult. With any of the FWD stuff you need to cut down a set of CV joints to the stub and end of the cup and install them.
Time for a paradigm shift, I hadn't thought about front drive hubs and uprights, but you're right Kenny. Anything with the right bolt circle and bigger brakes would work. Just so everyone understands where I'm coming from, I'm looking at putting a V8 into a 1973 Corolla. The rear axle and all the brakes are pretty small on those old Toyotas.
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