Sometimes I think I shouldn't be doing this stuff.
I took apart one of the leaf springs. It was a royal pain opening up the clamps (3 of them) that go around the leafs. But I got it done without breaking anything. That was the first one. The second one I broke the center bolt trying to get the nut loose.
By that point I was just about exhausted, a storm was heading this way with lightning, and it was after 8pm. I had to make quite a bit of noise getting the clamps off the first one, so I decided it was time to give up for the night.
Been searching online. Looks like there are only universal center bolts. I imagine they will work, but they are definitely not close to the Pinto ones.
And it seems that the front bushings on these are press off ones. grrr.
I hate not having a press. I really hate having to wait until I have the money to have them pressed out. That money would be better spent on the new poly bushings.
I spent a little bit of money tonight. Bought some emery cloth, sanding sponges, paint, and some masonite and 1x2s. The sanding and paint stuff is for the leafs and the rear end.
The masonite and the 1x2 are for a console. I've decided that with the price of the Mustang II consoles I'd be better off just making a custom one. I may run it all the way back to the battery box, I haven't decided yet. But somehow that idea appeals to me. Going to run it all the way up to the bottom of the dash. I have to mount 4 gauges somewhere. I really thought I could put them in place of the stock cluster, but I forgot just how little room there is. Only the aftermarket speedometer and tach will fit there. I don't really want to cut the dash that much, not that I am a purist, obviously, but that I just am afraid I will screw it up. So I am going to see about mounting them just below the radio in the console. Or I may mount them in the radio opening and move the radio into the console. Kind of depends on what radio I end up with. I have found one that I really like, it looks totally stock, but is digital with all the MP3, USB, etc stuff. But it is also pretty costly. So the odds are I will just end up with a used one off of CL. If I do that I would have to cut the dash at the radio location anyway. Have to see what happens.
The other option would be to build a totally custom dash. I did that once when a friend gave me a complete set of SW gauges, with tach and speedometer. It was for my 68 Ranchero. I made it out of wood. It actually turned out pretty good, but then I bought a 69 Mustang and gave up on the Ranchero. I put the steel dash back in before I gave it away. Yes, I have a history of giving cars away. Me idiot. Technically the guy gave me some Mustang pieces, but I was going to give him the car regardless.
Thanks,
Russ