Category: dear welder series

Paul Horton’s replies to actual tech emails.

Dear Welder Series… MII in an S10?

Dear Welder Series…
Paul, here’s the question. I’m in the process of putting a big block Chev in an s-10. Now you have to modify the cross member to install. And I was thinking would it be better to just put one of your units in. It will be cleaner I would be able to use Mustang II a-arms. Your set-up is already set-up for coil-over and mustang R&P. What unit would I use? Has any one else done this to an s-10 frame? Your knowledge is greatly needed and appreciated. Thanks in advance,
Art (oldschool racing).

Dear Art…
The easiest way is probably to make new frame rails from the firewall forward. It likely has been done (several times) but not by me. Actually, Hitman Hotrods installed one locally in a heavily modified S10:

Get the wheels and tires you want to use and mock them in the fender to check stance and track width.

Parts  for 1974 – 78 Mustang II are what you look for. The aftermarket has lots of tubular  and other repop stuff. The 1979 – 92 Mustang rack can be used if you want a power rack.

Thanks for asking. This should be a slick project.

Paul Horton

Dear Welder Series… Mustang II for Triumph (not the motorcycle)

Dear Welder Series…
I intend to install a 302 Ford V8 in a 1974 Triumph TR6 as many other folks have done, see BritishV8 web site. I wanted to use Mustang II A-arms and spindles to get more options for brakes and wheels.
Any ideas? Do you have customers that have made this conversion?
Thanks for your help. I am still in the body removal stage of my conversion.

Dear Bob…
Bob, I’m almost certain that the Mustang II a-arms and spindles aren’t interchangeable with your Triumph parts. However, a complete Mustang II conversion should be possible and practical. See Grant Schwartz’ Volvo build as an example.  I hope this helps.

Dear Welder Series… Frame Curve Radius?

Dear Welder Series…
Hi there. I was hoping to find a horizontally-bent “frame curve” in 2″ x 5″ (3″ x 5″ would be ideal), but your Web site shows only up to 2″ x 4″. Oh well, as this is for a rear bumper that I’m designing, I can make do with the 2″ x 4″.

But I wonder if you can tell me the radius of curvature of the outside curve on your horizontal 2″ x 4″? I would like to match the curved rear quarter panel of a ’76 Toyota Landcruiser, which I believe has a 5″ to 6″ radius of curvature.

Thank you!

Dear Glen…
Glen, the inside radius is 4″ on all of our frame curves. The outside radius would be 6″ on a 2×4 horizontal curve (4″ + 2″).

Thanks for looking at Welder Series parts.

Paul Horton

Dear Welder Series… Which Rack?

Dear Welder Series…
I am starting to rod a 1962 Ford Falcon station wagon. I have a Mustang II Rack (power) & the rest of the front suspension. Can I purchase the crossmember to weld in & use these parts? I have the 1966 mustang GT 289 & all the mounts & brackets.
Peter

Dear Peter…
Peter, our crossmember can be used with stock or aftermarket parts made for 1974 – 78 Mustang II. Racks from 1978 – 1993 Mustangs can also be used.

Thanks for looking at Welder Series parts.

Paul Horton

Dear Welder Series… Mustang II coil over length question

Dear Welder Series…
Hi Paul,
I recently bought a coil over MII kit from you. I see a recommended ride height for the coil overs, but how about extended and collapsed length, or shock travel length?

Thanks
Matt

Dear Matt…
Matt, we define a coil-over’s ride height as eye center to center compressed 1/3 of the stroke from fully extended. For example, a coil-over with an extended dimension of 13″ and a compressed dimension of 10″ would have a designed ride height of 12″. Similarly, a coil-over with an extended dimension of 14-1/2″ c-c and a compressed dimension of 10″ would have a designed ride height of 13″. A shock with 3″ of travel will be fine for a MII front end. Shocks with longer stroke have the potential for a better ride, but only if the chassis is built so nothing tops or bottoms out with the extra travel.

I hope this helps with your selection.

Paul Horton

Dear Welder Series… Four Link Dimension Question

Dear Welder Series…
I have a few questions on the parallel rear 4 link kits. Wondering what the measurement is between the two bars, C-C. Also what size tubing is used? I would like 1″ or 1 1/4″ if possible.
I have purchased and installed the notch kit with great results, thank you for offering these products at affordable prices.
Dan

Dear Dan…
Dan, the bars on the parallel kit are 5-1/2″ c-c.  They are 1″ diameter seamless tubing with a 3/16″ wall thickness.

Thanks for your order and support.

Dear Welder Series… Dodge Frame Question

Dear Welder Series…
Mr.Horton, looking at the pictures of the cross member installation in the 36 Dodge Humpback, I do not see (any) modifications to the hump in the frame. Is your cross member ready to install without modifications?

I have seen many pictures where the hump is taken out of the frame on other builds. I want to leave the frame in my sedan factory, without removing the hump. Also, I want to lower the car, but not enough to drag. Will your crossmember drop it enough or will I need to change the spindles to a 2″ drop also. Thank you!

Dear Tommy…
Thanks for asking, Tommy. Here is a photo showing the humpback ready to drive.

Most people do take the hump out of the front frame section. Grant Schwartz did this frame. (https://www.schwartzwelding.com/gallery/trucks/03.html)  Those are dropped spindles on the Horton Hot Rod Parts humpback.

I hope this helps with your planning.

Dear Welder Series… 52″ track width Mustang II?

Dear Welder Series…
I am interested in replacing the MGB front suspension in my Cobra replica. I am planning to buy your unwelded coilover cross member and cut it down to make the pivot points of the lower a-arm match the pivot points of a MGB steering rack and fabricate rack mounting brackets for it. I need to make the hub to hub width about 52″. I plan to use some Bilstien coilovers left over from Lotus Elise project with 371 pounds per inch springs. These are not the adjustable type, so I may have to drill extra holes to get the ride height right.

I drive my car in rallies and Solos 2 events VERY hard. I need to lose some weight, improve geometry and gain bigger brakes (I plan to get Wilwoods). Please check out this picture of my car: https://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/DSC00456.jpg. So any advice you can give me will be very much appreciated.

Thank you,
Paul

Dear Paul…
Good looking Cobra, Paul.  (Does it have a heater?)

The 52″ track width can be done, as outlined on our website at https://welderseries.com/blog/?s=narrow+Mustang+II .

I’m not clear about your MGB parts use.  If you plan to use all of the MGB parts on our crossmember, there will be some fab work required.  It looks like you are ok with that.

I hope this reply helps with your plans.

Dear Welder Series… trailer hitch for 1934 Pontiac?

Dear Welder Series…
Do you have any trailer hitch parts to build a trailer hitch for a 1934 Pontiac?
Thanks
Burl

Dear Burl…
There aren’t any specific trailer hitch parts in the Welder Series catalog, Burl, but I’m sure a few of the tabs  and gussets could be used.

Thanks for looking at our site.

Dear Welder Series… will original Mustang II parts fit?

Dear Welder Series…
Is your crossmember compatible to the original Mustang II upper and lower A arms? I am building a 36 Dodge Sedan D2.

Thank you..Tommy

Dear Tommy…
Yes, Tommy, our crossmember is compatible with stock upper and lower arms from 1974 – 78 Mustang II and 1974 – 80 Pinto.  You may want to order the strut rod frame mounting kit (shown below), if you are using the stock lower arms.

Thanks for looking at Welder Series parts.

Paul Horton

Dear Welder Series… Mustang II for 1947 Chevy 3800?

Dear Welder Series…
I am looking for a mustang 2 front crossmember that I can weld my self. I see you have one for a model A but I need one for a 47 Chevy 3800. Is it the same one or do you offer a different one for different vehicles?
Thanks,
Derek

Dear Derek…
The 3800 truck is the 1 ton version, as I’m sure you know. I believe, but don’t know for sure, that the frame is the same width as the 1/2 ton truck. If this is true, the 56″ kits are the right width. Check out the links below for assembly and installation info.

For mustang II crossmember kit (WS14340)

For mustang II coil-over crossmember kit (WS21906)

The videos will help you see what is involved in putting the kit in your frame.

Thanks for looking at Welder Series parts.

Dear Welder Series… Mustang II Installation Instructions?

Dear Welder Series…
I purchased a Welder Series coil over front end kit for my 1952 GMC pickup. During the process I seem to have misplace my installation guide instructions. Can you mail me a new copy or email me a new copy either would be of great help.

Dear David…

David, check out the link below for more info on assembly and installation.

https://shared-assets.adobe.com/link/189346d8-00f3-41e6-4c58-dc618a54dd23

If it dosn’t load for you, please phone DW at 1-888-648-2150. He will get things looked after. (I’m on vacation and haven’t been getting emails since late last week.)

Thanks for your business. I hope the install goes smoothly for you.

Dear Welder Series… 4.6l in a ’65 Mustang?

Dear Welder Series…
Hi,
I was wondering how long it typically took to receive the “Ford Motor Mounts, 4.6L/5.4L/Coyote, Urethane Insulated” kit that you have to offer on your site? My project car is up in Pennsylvania so I am not certain what I need at this time, but it looks like your kit might do the trick.

Just some background…  I am putting a 4.6l mod motor into a 65 mustang. In this setup, would the welded kit work properly to allow me to get the engine as far back towards the firewall as possible? Not sure how much leeway your kit provides for backwards/forwards positioning.

Thanks!
Erik

Dear Erik…
Erik, our 4.6l kit can be installed where ever you want it along the frame rails. Kits are normally in stock and would take about 3 days to get to you from our place.

Thanks for looking at Welder Series parts.

Dear Welder Series… Engine Angle Question

Dear Welder Series…
I am building a 37 two door sedan. I have put in one of your Mustang II front suspension kits, which worked fine. Now I am installing the motor, which is a 1999 LS1 5.7L. My question is how important is the three degree tilt back on the engine. Three degree will work but 5 degree would put the tailstock below the the top of the frame and would mean less floor modifications. I did just purchase one of your center section kits but it is not going to work the way you [supplied] it, because the drive shaft is too close to the top of the frame. I will be using all the pieces, just laying it out differently. Any feed back would be appreciated.
Thanks

Ray

Dear Ray…
Ray, 3 or 5 degrees will be fine. We normally set engines up at 4 degrees and that extra bit won’t hurt anything. Check out the link below for motor mounting tips.

https://welderseries.com/tech/tech-sharing/motor-mounting-tips/

Please send pictures of what you do with our center section… it’s always nice to see our parts ‘in action’.

Thanks for using Welder Series parts.

Dear Welder Series… 1948 Chevy Pickup Mustang II?

Dear Welder Series…
Good morning,
I am restoring a 1948 Chevy pickup. I was inspired by the guys in Trucks. I want to upgrade the suspension but I am not sure what kit I need to order. Can you help me? I would like to get a complete front suspension kit.

Thank you,
Jesse

Dear Jesse…
Our 56″ kits are the right width for this truck, Jesse. We sell only the crossmember.  To get a hub-to-hub kit, check with our dealers at:

https://welderseries.com/more/dealers-builders/

Thanks for looking at Welder Series parts.