Front Suspension Setup

[23newb]

Hoping those TC members who have swapped to SN95 bits can chime in here. After the measurements that I did in my Kmember question this is what I have planned

TC Control Arms - mustang poly bushings
SN95 Spindles
Bilstein struts
Ford M5300 springs (new in box)
TC front swaybar
Caster/Camber plates

This should give me close to TC front width I believe, but wondering if it is necessary to use an SN95 ball joint or not. I mocked up the control arm and the spindle today and the ball joint looked like the proper size.

Essentially this is a TC front suspension with SN95 spindles, upgraded struts and foxbody springs???

Thanks for reading

[Stinger]

Only input I have is I'm pretty sure the fox body springs will sit REALLY low.

[23newb]

SN95 springs are a better fit? Didn’t research that side of things yet 👎

[23newb]

Oooh now i am wondering if the TC rack and pinion should be pulled as well

[flhotrod]

I am doing the same thing with a 85 TC. I used the SN95 ball joint since going SN95 spindles and big brakes conversion. You will need to change the inner and outer tie rod as the SN95 spindles will move the spindle out and there is not enough threads for proper safety when aligned.

I would not change the rack as most aftermarket and part store rack will come back with low effort feel, think Lincoln not TC.

Depending what you are doing the stock springs are pretty good, but agree with stinger that it may sit to low with the M5300. Only you will be able to judge this.

[23newb]

Thanks Flhotrod

There were numerous folks using the stock TC springs after the conversion as they had better rates, so maybe i will start there. Not really wanting to go coilovers, and DEFINITELY dont want a slammed car - way too old for that! Perhaps I will pull the rack from the TC and put some new tie rod ends on it.

[88turbobird]

I know you said you don't really want to go the route of coilovers but If budget allows, I highly recommend them. Almost infinite combo of spring rates and ride height adjustability; just something to think about. Maximummotorsports is an excellent source on tech info for that. To stinger's point, fox body springs will sit the car very low. I agree on the SN95 tie rods. They will be needed to make up the extra track width. I replaced my 88TC rack with a flaming river manual rack for a fox body. I believe I mentioned it in a different thread but my 88TC is a mixed bag of mustang suspension parts:
Flaming River manual rack (Foxbody)
SN95 bump steer tie rod kit
SN95 tubular control arms
Coilovers (SN95)
Caster Camber Plates (Thunderbird specific)
Soon to be installed: Foxbody tubular front k member

Listed it out above to give everyone an idea as what fits where.

[23newb]

Turbobird which coilover set did you use? The issue isnt really budget, but cost vs reward. Love the adjustability but just question how often it will be adjusted, had a Ford adjustable suspension installed on my 91 convertible back in the day and rarely changed it - I assume it was much like the TC adjustable suspension??

[88turbobird]

I went with a maximum motorsports setup. Koni adjustable struts (SN95) with their MMCO-2 coilover kit. I custom ordered springs through them after speaking a tech rep. COP-2 is the product that comes with off the shelf springs. You can still pick the spring rate. Once I had ride height set, I never changed it. I have always tried different damper settings to see how the car handles. The dampers have a control knob on top to stiffen or loosen the dampening. They also offer two way adjustable struts. I'm not sure if this is comparable to the ford adjustable suspension. When I bought my 88TC, the factory equipped ride control didn't work so I don't have much to compare it to.