Current Classifieds

WANTED Hood Prop Rod
Date: 01/17/2017 02:47 pm
Ford 2.3L new gaskets for sale
Date: 12/10/2016 04:11 pm
Clutch Cable Needed
Date: 04/03/2017 10:54 pm
Looking for Radiator and gas tank
Date: 10/24/2018 07:35 am
1979 Pinto Sedan Delivery

Date: 06/15/2019 03:30 pm
Steering Wheel Needed for 1972 Pinto
Date: 08/08/2018 12:26 pm
Deluxe Steering Wheel
Date: 10/16/2017 08:13 am
Looking for a 1977 Ford Pinto Runabout Hatchback
Date: 10/15/2017 10:03 am
1975 Ford Pinto

Date: 01/13/2020 11:02 am
71-71 speedo cable
Date: 07/31/2021 09:04 pm
Pinto Fiber Glass Body Parts
Date: 01/06/2019 06:53 pm
1974 Pinto Door Handles

Date: 03/07/2017 04:06 pm

Author Topic: Control Arms  (Read 2958 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline johnbigman2011

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 522
  • FeedBack: +11/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 7
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Fifth year Anniversary Poll Voter Apple User Mobile User Windows User
Control Arms
« on: May 28, 2012, 05:35:51 PM »
Has anyone installed 74 control arms on a 72. Or can it even be done?

Can you have custom built control arms fabricated.. (Chrome Moly)??
1972 Trunk Model..... Yeller Feller
1979 Wagon Turbo.... 85 2.3 Turbo
1923 T- Bucket ...... 2.0 Pinto Powered
F 250 Redneck Lincoln .... Pinto Picker upper

Offline oldkayaker

  • Pinto Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 758
  • FeedBack: +114/-0
  • Gender: Male

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Windows User Tenth year Anniversary Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Control Arms
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2012, 05:45:43 AM »
It is not a direct bolt in, see link: http://www.fordpinto.com/general-help/'73-crossmember-with-'78-spindles-control-arms/msg127377/#msg127377
 
Almost anything can be modified or custom built.  Due to its popularity with street rodders and a IMSA class, the late Pinto/Mustang II front suspension is well supported in the after market industries.  They make steel and stainless steel controls for the late suspension.  I do not recall anybody offering chrome moly.  The early suspension is not popular and I do not know of any after market control arms.
Jerry J - Jupiter, Florida

Offline Pinto5.0

  • Pinto Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1974
  • FeedBack: +77/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • 80 hatch, 76 Wagon, 72 & 73 Sedans, 71 half hatch

  • Total Badges: 7
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Mobile User Fifth year Anniversary Windows User 1000 Posts
Re: Control Arms
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2012, 09:58:19 AM »
After taking the suspension apart on my '80 & getting a good look at how the front crossmember is spot welded in place I've concluded that it really isn't that hard to swap the late crossmember into the early Pinto.
 
Of course this isn't for everyone...... Especially if you aren't experienced with a welder. 
'73 Sedan (I'll get to it)
'76 Wagon driver
'80 hatch(Restoring to be my son's 1st car)~Callisto
'71 half hatch (bucket list Pinto)~Ghost
'72 sedan 5.0/T5~Lemon Squeeze

Offline johnbigman2011

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 522
  • FeedBack: +11/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 7
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Fifth year Anniversary Poll Voter Apple User Mobile User Windows User
Re: Control Arms
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2012, 04:22:09 PM »
I have thought about that aproach for sure. Just wondered if it would actually fit?/ Say frame width. I've never measured the frame rails.
1972 Trunk Model..... Yeller Feller
1979 Wagon Turbo.... 85 2.3 Turbo
1923 T- Bucket ...... 2.0 Pinto Powered
F 250 Redneck Lincoln .... Pinto Picker upper

Offline Pinto5.0

  • Pinto Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1974
  • FeedBack: +77/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • 80 hatch, 76 Wagon, 72 & 73 Sedans, 71 half hatch

  • Total Badges: 7
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Mobile User Fifth year Anniversary Windows User 1000 Posts
Re: Control Arms
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2012, 09:42:11 PM »
I have thought about that aproach for sure. Just wondered if it would actually fit?/ Say frame width. I've never measured the frame rails.

Yeah that's on my to-do list. I want to measure my '73 & '80 to compare. I've never heard of there being early & late front frame rails so I assume there's no differences.
'73 Sedan (I'll get to it)
'76 Wagon driver
'80 hatch(Restoring to be my son's 1st car)~Callisto
'71 half hatch (bucket list Pinto)~Ghost
'72 sedan 5.0/T5~Lemon Squeeze

Offline Pangra74

  • PCCA VIP
  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 412
  • FeedBack: +37/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • I'm so pretty with my new paint job!!
    • Joe's Pinto Page

  • Total Badges: 8
    Badges: (View All)
    Mobile User Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Windows User Webmaster Tenth year Anniversary Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Control Arms
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2012, 12:02:01 AM »
Only difference I know of is the engine compartment is longer from 74 and later for the 2.3 and the tunnel is larger as well. .


Joe
1974 Orange Runabout
1974 soon to be Cruisin' Wagon

Offline OhSix9

  • Pinto Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 248
  • FeedBack: +7/-1
  • Gender: Male
  • Positrac Intercooler Nitrous Turbo Overdrive

  • Total Badges: 5
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Poll Voter Windows User Fifth year Anniversary
Re: Control Arms
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2012, 02:32:02 AM »
the control arms are an inch longer and the bushings narrower on the early models. you could get a set made if you wanted.   But if you are gonna go that route get rid of the strut rods too and get them made like this

http://www.classicperform.com/tech_articles/StrutRods/StrutRods.htm

pretty basic piece to get built really.


OhSix'
Modest beginnings start with the single blow of a horn man..    Now when you get through with this thing every dickhead in the world is gonna wanna own it.   Do you know anything at all about the internal combustion engine?

Virgil to Sid

Offline johnbigman2011

  • Pinto Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 522
  • FeedBack: +11/-0
  • Gender: Male
  • Another Pinto Driver

  • Total Badges: 7
    Badges: (View All)
    Topic Starter Signature Fifth year Anniversary Poll Voter Apple User Mobile User Windows User
Re: Control Arms
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2012, 03:27:26 AM »
OhSix, I have an e-mail sent to them to see just what options they offer. Thanks, for the link.
1972 Trunk Model..... Yeller Feller
1979 Wagon Turbo.... 85 2.3 Turbo
1923 T- Bucket ...... 2.0 Pinto Powered
F 250 Redneck Lincoln .... Pinto Picker upper