Forum > General Help- Ask the Experts...
Update Suspension
LesAlbin:
It seems suspension and brake parts for '74 and up Pintos are relatively easy to find, but things for the earlier cars are not. What is involved in updating the front suspension of a '72 to '74 specs?
PintoTim2:
Great topic, thanks for starting it. I have a modified '72 - but I did not build it. I was told that it has a Mustang II front suspension (that's what I bought parts for many years ago). Let's see if others can provide first hand knowledge - otherwise I can get pics and measurements in a month or so (it's buried in the back of my barn). It was built as a road race car - but not able to be run because of the mods..... Both the builder and PO are passed, so I can't ask them....
Wittsend:
To my knowledge the main issues with the 71-73 Pinto front suspension is that the '73 steering rack is a one year only item. This would lead me to assume the 71-72 rack is a two year only item. The other is that the 71-73 front brake rotors are very hard to find. The cross members are welded in and may not be swappable. Also don't know about the A-Arms and springs. I agree with Tim this would be a good topic to get input from others.
I thought there was a means of swapping the rotors but maybe the spindles and calipers need swapping too??? Kind of odd that the Mustang II suspension is so prevalent in the racing world and we early Pinto people seem in a bind. When I read the Joe Escobar Pinto article I kind of wished I had a 74-75 Pinto and just swapped the early bumpers like he did. http://www.joe-escobar.com/pinto.html
PintoTim2:
Wittsend is correct on the steering racks. A few years ago, I found a guy on Craigslist locally (Detroit area) that had Mustang II and Pinto racks. His Dad was the designer for TRW. Long story short, I got them all. There are (3) designs: 71-72 - clamp on style ; 73 - unique gnorf that sticks up on one end & bolts on ; 74-80 Pinto & all Mustang II - 2 bolt on unit. My cross member on my '72 has M-II design. That said, if anybody needs one I have a few left (Sold them for $20 if you had a Pinto at the show...). The first and third design are available new from Flaming River. Mine have old seals and boots... Back in the day, the trick for road racers was to use a powersteering rack w/o the pump - the ratio was quicker. Wife can't turn the wheel at low speed tho - hense my search for an actual manual rack....
Pintosopher:
--- Quote from: Wittsend on March 02, 2022, 10:55:32 AM ---To my knowledge the main issues with the 71-73 Pinto front suspension is that the '73 steering rack is a one year only item. This would lead me to assume the 71-72 rack is a two year only item. The other is that the 71-73 front brake rotors are very hard to find. The cross members are welded in and may not be swappable. Also don't know about the A-Arms and springs. I agree with Tim this would be a good topic to get input from others.
I thought there was a means of swapping the rotors but maybe the spindles and calipers need swapping too??? Kind of odd that the Mustang II suspension is so prevalent in the racing world and we early Pinto people seem in a bind. When I read the Joe Escobar Pinto article I kind of wished I had a 74-75 Pinto and just swapped the early bumpers like he did. http://www.joe-escobar.com/pintorules.html
--- End quote ---
I would default to any advice Racer Walsh can offer on the Front suspension. Using a crossmember from a later car would solve a rack issue, Remember that the Front unibody frame horns are spaced differently than a 71-73 than 74 up. Hence swapping a later spindle and control arm setup are not going to allow for proper alignment throughout the range of motion. if it will bolt up at all. The front rotor issue to spindle/caliper spacing might be resolved if the Wilwood Classic line of products are in the mix. This is an unknown 4 me and my 72 racer but worthy if the GT SCCA rules allow.
Pintosopher, Vintage between the ears. Bent towards Semi-Tube nirvana ::)
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