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Stupid ? 1968 Torino GT Options for Coilovers

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MRiche9009 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 01-April-2023 at 2:51PM
I searched for many,many hours all day, couldn't locate any good answers, so hopefully you fine folks can help a newbie out. 

I've got a 68 Torino GT, looking for a coilover kit next (then new exhaust frame). Its tough finding a set that has good reviews, is available in less than 2 months OR isn't over $2,500 for the kit - reason being the rest of the system is either installed or I have them ready to be installed, the only parts I need are the coils & adjustable shocks themselves. 


Sorry if this has been asked, just really struggling to find answers.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote californiajohnny Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-April-2023 at 12:15AM
 welcome! not sure but try looking into mustang stuff they are a similar design suspension not sure if they interchange but possible??? you may need to take measurements and compare and cross reference dimensions to see .... i have a 71 mach 1 in the shop right now and in a pic he sent me prior had a coilover kit that mounted in the strut tower... cant remember what he told me but IIRC he said it was from TCI total cost involved i think is what he told me?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote 72 RS 351 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-April-2023 at 8:50AM
The pre-1971 Mustangs have the same kind of suspension as the late Torino's, you might find something from those 68-70 models.


... The steering box from a 71-73 Mustang will go into a mid sized Ford, I put one in my 72 Gran Torino.


Edited by 72 RS 351 - 10-April-2023 at 11:21AM
Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote RacerJames Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-April-2023 at 9:47AM
The '68 Torino shares the same design as the '65-'73 Mustang, with shocks and springs above the upper control arm. I'm 90% sure the Torino has the same dimensions as the '71-'73 Mustangs.

I don't know why anyone would want to install these unless they were autocrossing and needed the adjustability. The '68 Torino along with the '69-'70 or the '71-'73 Mustangs were racetrack heroes, winning at every track including drags, ovals, and road courses, using the stock suspension configuration. Adding a Monte Carlo bar and an Export brace will help your Torino handle just fine, without sacrificing ride.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72 RS 351 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-April-2023 at 11:21AM
Originally posted by RacerJames RacerJames wrote:

The '68 Torino shares the same design as the '65-'73 Mustang, with shocks and springs above the upper control arm. I'm 90% sure the Torino has the same dimensions as the '71-'73 Mustangs.

I don't know why anyone would want to install these unless they were autocrossing and needed the adjustability. The '68 Torino along with the '69-'70 or the '71-'73 Mustangs were racetrack heroes, winning at every track including drags, ovals, and road courses, using the stock suspension configuration. Adding a Monte Carlo bar and an Export brace will help your Torino handle just fine, without sacrificing ride.


Thanks for that correction, I'm not familiar with the earlier Torino's and Mustangs, and know just enough to be trouble with the 71-73 Mustangs. My best friend had three of them and I helped him to part one out. I got the steering box from that to convert my 72 GT to power steering.
Don
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RacerJames Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-April-2023 at 12:22PM
Don, As you can see by my car list, I am familiar with both suspensions, and I understand where there can be confusion. Some parts -like your steering gear- will interchange, and with enough effort I have seen the full frame Torino front suspension grafted into a Granada (which is a unibody like the early Mustang/Torino) 
There were full frame cars (e.g. LTD's) alongside the unibodies, and Torinos in particular have had several iterations of both styles. 
The full frame Torino with the straight lower control arm and radius rod derived from Mustangs (72-'74 (?)) is what Late Model stock car suspensions are descended from. They make really good race cars, and once I get the drivetrain in the one I have sorted out, I expect to be very competitive on the local pavement ovals using OEM type parts.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72 RS 351 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10-April-2023 at 12:39PM
Very nice, you have the main items I grew up with in my 72 GT, the big mid sized car and the Cleveland. I miss that car and I recall how well it "handled" even though it was stock and I was too young to know how dangerous it was.

I drove roads here at 60mph in the late 70's, that I wouldn't drive anything that fast now; the intersections have exploded of course so there are no safe sections to go fast. Now I just plan to upgrade the 72/73 parts enough to make it enjoyable to drive daily. I'm going to give the 2003-06 Crown Vic front suspension a try(swap). Some have said the entire body can fit those CV's, the wheel base is only an inch shorter than the long mid sized 70's Fords(117" instead of 118").
Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W
73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later.
92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RacerJames Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2023 at 7:12AM
Originally posted by 72 RS 351 72 RS 351 wrote:

Very nice, you have the main items I grew up with in my 72 GT, the big mid sized car and the Cleveland. I miss that car and I recall how well it "handled" even though it was stock and I was too young to know how dangerous it was.

I drove roads here at 60mph in the late 70's, that I wouldn't drive anything that fast now; the intersections have exploded of course so there are no safe sections to go fast. Now I just plan to upgrade the 72/73 parts enough to make it enjoyable to drive daily. I'm going to give the 2003-06 Crown Vic front suspension a try(swap). Some have said the entire body can fit those CV's, the wheel base is only an inch shorter than the long mid sized 70's Fords(117" instead of 118").

I would recommend the entire Crown Vic frame as a swap. The engineers who perfected the panther platform took cues from sports cars in the design of the '03 and up 'Vics. There is a reason they are used at oval tracks across the country in special "Ford only" classes. I used one as a racecar hauler for 5 years or so. They're indestructible!



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72 RS 351 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2023 at 8:18AM
Those are good dependable choices, well done.
Don
73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W
73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later.
92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W
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