Pinto Car Club of America
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: produster on July 22, 2005, 07:00:03 AM
Hello all,
I am in need of some help. I have a tube chassis Duster and was told it had a MustangII front end in it when I bought it. Having never been invlolved in MustangIIs or Pintos for that matter, I took it as what it was. Well come to find out I have a 71-73 Pinto front end on the car. I found this out because the front brake calipers were seized, not fun trying to stop!!! My first question is, did they make bigger front disc brakes that are a direct bolt on. Second, do MustangII spindles use the same ball joints as the 71-73 Pinto spindles? If not do either the upper or lower interchange?
I ask this because the upper control arm is a tubular one and the lower looks to be O.E.M. stamped steel. And if I have to replace parts I would like to know what I need to replace with out changing parts that do not need to be replaced. The tubular upper control arm looks to be of aftermarket and not a home made one.
Hey Produster,
Do the calipers on your duster have what looks like GIANT wire bobypins?
Just tring to establish what you have befor I try to help.
From Pintony
yes they do. The caliper bracket has a slide with a couple of cotter pins too.
OK YES you have the 71-73 Pinto front.
Are you using a rack and pinnion?
Does your duster steer from the front or rear of the spindel?
Yes it is a rack. It steers from the front.
Can I change over to a MustangII spindle using the current upper and lower control arms?
The mustang II spindle is 1"+ taller.
It would throw off the geometry of the suspension.
Contact wilwood brakes they make kits for the early Pinto also there is a person on ebay that is selling front brake kits.
From Pintony
If I raised the upper control arm 1" would it then fix that? Also replace the lower control arm with a tubular unit. Will the lower ball joint from a MustangII fit the early Pinto?
I am not worried about making the changes to the car. I got the car with this front ends on it and it has been nothing but trouble. I feel as though I am chasing my tail.
Thanks for the help.