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Author Topic: Ambitious front end project?  (Read 1178 times)

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Offline entropy

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Ambitious front end project?
« on: January 20, 2015, 11:13:19 PM »
So last year I went back to school to learn a 3D design/drafting program called Solidworks.  This semester, I'm in the advanced class and it looks like I need to come up with a big, ambitious project for my final.  Here's what I'm thinking:  What if I were to design upper and lower control arms for an early Pinto that will accept late Pinto/Mustang spindles?  The end product would be files that could carve 'em out of billet on a CNC mill.  What do you think?  Crazy idea?  Brilliant idea?  Any gurus out there who know both front ends well enough to comment?  Who wants a badass billet front suspension?! 
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1972 "Hoonabout"
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275 rwhp 350 lb/ft on motor.....some thing a bit more than that on the spray.

Offline Reeves1

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Re: Ambitious front end project?
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2015, 05:15:20 AM »
One thing you would need to find out will be the legal issues involved.

Non DOT approved / tested would be a huge concern for me.....
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Offline oldkayaker

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Re: Ambitious front end project?
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2015, 07:58:30 AM »
Just from reading, it appears the late spindles will bolt up to the early suspension arms. 
http://www.fordpinto.com/general-pinto-talk/drop-spindles-on-a-73-runabout/msg129080/#msg129080
The CNC machined arms could be made stronger, add shiny components, and be a fun project.  However not sure if there would be enough demand to justify production runs and the liabilities.  The late spindle is taller (ball joint to ball joint) and would increase the angle of the early upper arm beyond stock.  If this creates too much camber gain in compression, maybe use a spacer between upper arm pivot shaft and the chassis to raise it.  I have an Excel spreadsheet with rough dimensions (tape measure) of the early and late front suspension components.  If wanted, pm me your email address and I will send it.

Note the 71-72 tie rod end is smaller than the 73-80.  So to fill the gap, a conical bushing is needed.
http://www.fordpinto.com/index.php?topic=21114.msg130207#msg130207
http://www.fordpinto.com/index.php?topic=21602.0

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Jerry J - Jupiter, Florida
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