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Mustang A-Arm Lowering Template & Guide
Adjusting the position (lowering) of the upper control arms is relatively easy to do and can vastly improve the driving performance of your classic Mustang. Improvements for street and performance applications are uniform. You will notice increased steering control when turning into corners and less hesitation on the suspension when exiting a tight corner. This modification will reduce under steer and turn your vintage Mustang into a safer vehicle to drive.
This modification was performed by Shelby Automotive on their R-Model Racing Shelby's for 1965 and 1966. The same technique was used on the Boss 302 Trans Am Mustangs for 1969 and 1970. The procedure is very simple and effective.
If you frequent many of the Mustang or Shelby club Open Track driving events, you will notice almost all of the vintage Mustangs (1965-1973) have performed this modification. Later production Mustangs (1986 to present) employ the same type of suspension modifications by installing caster / camber adjusting plates.
The standard Mustang front suspension systems lean the top of the tire out of the fender during corning. This in turn lifts the inside edge of the tire off the pavement, decreasing the tire contact patch. This accounts for your Mustang's increased outside tire wear and poor handling characteristics (under steer).
Simply stated: Under steer occurs when the car enters a corner and continues to go straight rather than negotiating the turn.
Lowering the position of the upper control arm changes your Mustang's geometry and handling characteristics by increasing the amount of tire that stays in contact with the pavement through the corner.
Lowering the suspension system tilts the inside edge of the tire down on to the pavement rather than allowing it to lift. This keeps the tire contact patch flat on the pavement, improves tire wear, and provides greater control at higher cornering speeds.
During the last few years some manufactures have developed and produced Mustang upper control arms that are modified for the lowered suspension moidification.
Global West manufactures a system known as the Negative Roll. The upper control arms are improved over the original design with heavy duty materials and del-alum bushings. Global West provides a template for drilling the lowered holes in the Mustang shock tower. Global West offers a life time warranty on their product.
Total Control Products (TCP) also manufactures a upper control arm designed for spirited driving. TCP offers a upper control arm designed for standard replacement (factory mounting position) or a upper control arm built to lower the suspension 1" still using the factory mounting location.
Both Global West and TCP build a beautiful product designed for heavy duty use.
Using the template supplied by Global West, the template fits over the existing upper control arm position holes and locates the new position for the lowered control arm. Simply drill two new holes in each shock tower and re-install the upper control arms. That's it!
We recommend this modification on any year Mustang, especially the vintage 1965-1973 Mustang. After completing this suspension modification you will be very pleased with the driving performance of your Mustang!
About the Author Randy Stoker is the owner of Sacramento Mustang Parts specializing in parts for the classic 1965-1973 Ford Mustang. Sacramento Mustang started business in 1980 and has provided excellent service to the Mustang hobby ever since. Please visit our web site Sacramento Mustang Parts for more information.
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