Is there anyway to go about getting independent rear suspension on a 70 Mustang. I am really interested in doing a 70 mustang but bringing it up to date: disc brakes a newer motor, 6 speed tranny, newer interior etc. I was wondering if anyone made a kit or if it was possible to use a 99+ cobra IRS and get it set up for that. any thoughts or concerns appreciated
IRS on a 1970 Mustang Fastback
- Thread starter Doomedfailure
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If you got the money, anything is possible. Heidts converts old jaguar IRS to fit mustangs. Also Control Freak Suspensions builds one for older mustangs that bolts where the leaf springs go. If you are going to go that extreme you might as well go all out with a coil over front, four wheel disc, frame ties, rack & pinion steering, the works. I will try to find a link, but there is a guy putting an old Jag rear in his mustang and was doing a write up on it, you can pick up a complete jag rear for around 600 bucks. The cobra IRS will work too, but again, lots of fabrication needed. Anyway, google search 67-70 mustang modifications, if im not mistaken I believe they have the same width and mounting locations, etc.
moonraker
Member
Dont you worry all you listed is part of the plan i wanna get an aluminum blocked engine as well. and pretty much everything you listed. just seeing if IRS is feasible. I wanna do it. I do not wanna spend 9k for the irs kits though! but i would love to do it with a 03 cobra irs or maybe a kit that isnt so pricey. I would rather not use a jags IRS.
mustbereel
Member
Having installed both Heidt's IRS and a 2003 Cobra IRS I have some insight here. The Heidt's kit uses a Ford 9" center section and relatively light and strong. However, it is expensive and requires a great deal of fabrication. This is not a bolt on project. I do love the way the car rides and tracks on rough pavement.
The Control Freak kit looks great but with that price....
Dazecars Jag adaptation looks viable and is probably the least expensive option. Also very fab heavy.
The Cobra IRS is a complete and compact package. However, it is very heavy at about 300lbs. They can be purchased relatively inexpensively. Using the DVS mounting kit makes it nearly bolt in. I made my own brackets and coil over mounts but if I do it again I'll probably go the DVS route.
For my money on a 70 I would go with the Cobra IRS.
The Control Freak kit looks great but with that price....
Dazecars Jag adaptation looks viable and is probably the least expensive option. Also very fab heavy.
The Cobra IRS is a complete and compact package. However, it is very heavy at about 300lbs. They can be purchased relatively inexpensively. Using the DVS mounting kit makes it nearly bolt in. I made my own brackets and coil over mounts but if I do it again I'll probably go the DVS route.
For my money on a 70 I would go with the Cobra IRS.
there are actually other options as well. you could use the kit that is based on the original mustang T-5 IRS concept that was done in the early 60's for the Falcon and adpted to the 65-66 stangs for shelby to test, they diecided against it because it didn't make the car any faster on a race track which is usually pretty smooth compared to city streets where I'm sure it will make all the difference in the world that kit can be found here
MUSTANG IRS - Independent Rear Suspensions For New & Classic Ford Mustangs
also Heidts has a new Pro-G IRS kit for early mustangs as well that is much different than their old kit where the installer has a lot of fab-work to do for installation, these new ones are a bolt-in and they also have the advantage of having had an upper control arm added over the olds which didn't use an upper control arm. that can be found here
http://www.heidts.com/_uploaded_fil...now_available_mustangl_retai__dealerl_may.pdf
you couls also try doing a search for "Green Hornet IRS" for a few rather undetailed photos of the experimental unit that Shelby used in the 68 gt-500 EXP coupe otherwise known as the Green Hornet. it is based on a 9" center section with a bolt in cradle and the one shown is a recreation of sorts that was fabbed up during the cars resto as the original unit had been yanked out before Ford sold the car. Personally thaty's my favorite option but it's one that you'll have to fab up yourself as there are known plans for it around anywhere that I can find. If you live close to Scottsdale AZ, I suppose you could try to get into Craig Jackson's collection to see that car as he is the current owner and maybe take some pics of the IRS.
if you consider attempting the Green Hornet IRS you'll need parts, some of which can be obtained from Heidts, Dutchman Motorsports, Kugel Components, etc. also do a search for ford 9 inch IRS and you can see some setups tht other people have done on everything from corvettes to late model GTO's and Camaros and even *** cars like Toyota Supras, etc.....
MUSTANG IRS - Independent Rear Suspensions For New & Classic Ford Mustangs
also Heidts has a new Pro-G IRS kit for early mustangs as well that is much different than their old kit where the installer has a lot of fab-work to do for installation, these new ones are a bolt-in and they also have the advantage of having had an upper control arm added over the olds which didn't use an upper control arm. that can be found here
http://www.heidts.com/_uploaded_fil...now_available_mustangl_retai__dealerl_may.pdf
you couls also try doing a search for "Green Hornet IRS" for a few rather undetailed photos of the experimental unit that Shelby used in the 68 gt-500 EXP coupe otherwise known as the Green Hornet. it is based on a 9" center section with a bolt in cradle and the one shown is a recreation of sorts that was fabbed up during the cars resto as the original unit had been yanked out before Ford sold the car. Personally thaty's my favorite option but it's one that you'll have to fab up yourself as there are known plans for it around anywhere that I can find. If you live close to Scottsdale AZ, I suppose you could try to get into Craig Jackson's collection to see that car as he is the current owner and maybe take some pics of the IRS.
if you consider attempting the Green Hornet IRS you'll need parts, some of which can be obtained from Heidts, Dutchman Motorsports, Kugel Components, etc. also do a search for ford 9 inch IRS and you can see some setups tht other people have done on everything from corvettes to late model GTO's and Camaros and even *** cars like Toyota Supras, etc.....
mustbereel
Member
I think the Cobra would be the best route for me to take. I am wondering if I used the cobra IRS if the IRS suspension packages would still work. Then maybe I could do that to make it light and put on big disk brakes. Just trying to figure out which would perform better. Because by time you get a cobra IRS in and then upgrade it you are looking at the price of some of these kits.
Marshall
Founding Member
Rusty67
Dirt-Old 20+Year Member
I can tell you that if you go with the Cobra IRS that you will want to go over to Full Tilt Boogie Racing and get their complete bushing package. The Cobra IRS has a LOT of rubber bushings and they deflect badly once the rubber becomes slightly worn. This causes the rear end to be very soggy. It will ride comfortably and perform ok out of the box with moderate power but as the bushings start to wear out, it will really start to suck.
If you fix the problems with the soggy bushings the Cobra IRS performs extremely well.
If you fix the problems with the soggy bushings the Cobra IRS performs extremely well.
