I am hoping to spend some jack in the next month so that when spring/summer hits, I can get after re-doing the rolling chassis and need your help. It's a fair amount for me to wrap my head around and some decisions have to be made...the time has come.
I'm just going to throw out my thoughts and see what sticks...
1.) I need a front disc brake conversion kit and am leaning towards the smaller diameter booster for better clearance at the valve covers. I intend on using 15" steelies and am not concerned with originality. I just want better than stock drum braking that discs offer. Ames says you can get the 9" booster upon request. Here's what I'm looking at from Ames...
Open for discussion...pros/cons with this kit?
2.) Next is the rear end and this one is making my head spin quite a bit. I currently have the stock 10 bolt with the 2.56 gears and want to go with something in the 3's. At first glance, the favorite ratios seem to be in the 3.23 to 3.36 range…BUT I am leaning heavily towards a Gear Vendors overdrive behind my 400TH. Now I’m thinking more like 3.55, but am open to advice. I will have maximized the space in the rear wheel wells for the widest treaded radial drags (without cutting the frame and tubbing). My motor build is not set in stone yet, but will land between 400 and 500 HP. I need to prepare for the higher end since “more power” is hard to resist. That leads me to want the 12 bolt or Ford 9”. One thing I could do is buy a Ford 9” without the gear set. This should allow me to rebuild the rolling chassis and make the gear ratio decision later, Right?
I want to buy a rear end that accommodates stock/aftermarket replacement suspension parts and bolts in without having to modify anything. I intend to upgrade to tubular suspension and add a rear sway bar that u-bolts to the axle, not the trailing arms (along with frame braces). I’ll take all recommendations for a company that offers this type of rear end service.
Another thing on my mind is ordering a custom width rear end to help guarantee that the widest wheel/tire combo can be installed. Do I need to buy my wheels and tires in order to figure that out?
I’ll think about drum or disc rear brakes later to keep my head form cracking open. I'm pretty sure I have the suspension parts figured out. Except what rear sway bar to get, but that depends on what rear end I go with, I suppose.
I'm just going to throw out my thoughts and see what sticks...
1.) I need a front disc brake conversion kit and am leaning towards the smaller diameter booster for better clearance at the valve covers. I intend on using 15" steelies and am not concerned with originality. I just want better than stock drum braking that discs offer. Ames says you can get the 9" booster upon request. Here's what I'm looking at from Ames...
Open for discussion...pros/cons with this kit?
2.) Next is the rear end and this one is making my head spin quite a bit. I currently have the stock 10 bolt with the 2.56 gears and want to go with something in the 3's. At first glance, the favorite ratios seem to be in the 3.23 to 3.36 range…BUT I am leaning heavily towards a Gear Vendors overdrive behind my 400TH. Now I’m thinking more like 3.55, but am open to advice. I will have maximized the space in the rear wheel wells for the widest treaded radial drags (without cutting the frame and tubbing). My motor build is not set in stone yet, but will land between 400 and 500 HP. I need to prepare for the higher end since “more power” is hard to resist. That leads me to want the 12 bolt or Ford 9”. One thing I could do is buy a Ford 9” without the gear set. This should allow me to rebuild the rolling chassis and make the gear ratio decision later, Right?
I want to buy a rear end that accommodates stock/aftermarket replacement suspension parts and bolts in without having to modify anything. I intend to upgrade to tubular suspension and add a rear sway bar that u-bolts to the axle, not the trailing arms (along with frame braces). I’ll take all recommendations for a company that offers this type of rear end service.
Another thing on my mind is ordering a custom width rear end to help guarantee that the widest wheel/tire combo can be installed. Do I need to buy my wheels and tires in order to figure that out?
I’ll think about drum or disc rear brakes later to keep my head form cracking open. I'm pretty sure I have the suspension parts figured out. Except what rear sway bar to get, but that depends on what rear end I go with, I suppose.