View Full Version : Iowa's Mk4
i'm brand new to the FFR world and this forum
plan to order a roadster complete kit in the near future
after restoring a '62 VW beetle, 2 WWII jeeps, and an piper L4 airplane
i've decided to tackle a cobra roadster
i've thot about the 289, but will probably go with the Mk4 roadster
any advice for this rank amateur?
thanks in advance for all you help
dave
'iowa'
i plan to install the following:
302 OH'd to a 347 stroker
T-5 tranny
9" mustang rear end
this latter's year is unknown to me
and wondering the best way to determine if it will fit in the Mk4 kit
thanks
iowa
I responded to your question in another thread.
Originally Posted by iowa View Post
hello
i'm a new member as well w/a question
i have a 9" rear end i had intended to
install in my '65 hipo mustang
would this fit in the MK4 roadster?
thanks
iowa
What's the width? You want the fox-body width for the MK4. I think it's 58-1/2" if I recall correctly. Other than that, either 3 or 4 link will work with the non-IRS chassis. I think consensus is that for drivability, the 3 link is preferred.
yes, i saw that
i discovered that i could start a new thread
before i had 20 posts
i'm not familiar with the 3 or 4 link rear ends
and, i admit my ignorance, don't know what a non-IRS or an IRS chassis is either
iowa
my 1st wwii jeep restoration was a '42 gpw
i can't find my build thread on G503 forum
but i do have my '42 slat grill thread here
https://forums.g503.com/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=76639&hilit=iowa%27s
also i have the thread on my L4 build
i know these have nothing to do with a Mk4
but just in case anyone is interested
i'll get back to Mk4 research
thanks
iowa
here is the thread for my L4 build
https://www.j3-cub.com/threads/iowas-l4.15718/
i'll restrict the rest of my thread to my soon to be Mk4 build
thanks
iowa
yes, i saw that
i discovered that i could start a new thread
before i had 20 posts
i'm not familiar with the 3 or 4 link rear ends
and, i admit my ignorance, don't know what a non-IRS or an IRS chassis is either
iowa
When you order a kit from FFR, you'll either order for a solid rear axle or for an Independent Rear Suspension (IRS). A 3 or 4 link suspension are what you use for a solid axle. The four link has two upper and two lower control arms and a 3 link has two lower control arms and a single upper arm (link). Your 9" rear axle is most likely configured for a 4 link setup, but can be converted to a 3 link with a 3 link conversion.
Ponymedic
02-19-2020, 11:00 AM
I would recommend the Mott Build school. Ive been turning wrenches my whole life but was worried about the unknowns about the Roadster. I learned a lot abut the intricacies of the MKIV build and the pearls of wisdom from the instructors who have actually built and own cars themselves
thanks Papa
i see the class goes F S S
and they are booked thru June!
iowa
Short answer - 3 days.
More details:
https://www.factoryfive.com/build-school/
Https://www.mcc.edu/factoryfive/index.php
great!
i'll check these out
iowa
this is just a test on posting a picture
i usually just paste the picture's URL between this
we'll see if it works
this is a picture of how i preheat my cessna in winter
http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20200215_042750.jpg
will try a larger picture size
http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/20200215_042750.jpg
CNIdog
02-20-2020, 07:59 AM
That larger size worked well. Looking forward to seeing pics of your build. Have fun!
Jeff Kleiner
02-20-2020, 09:37 AM
Sounds like you don't have a rear end yet and aren't sure what you actually need. Forget the 9 inch...here's the easy button 1) 8.8 rear axle from a 1994-1998 V8 Mustang, 2)set of caliper relocation brackets and axles fro Richard Oben at North Racecars http://northracecars.com/ to bring it to the preferred Fox width 3)rebuild with the ring and pinion of your choice---for a 347/T5 combination I'd recommend 3.55
If you did that plane you'll do fine with a Roadster; you just need to keep doing your research to get up to speed. Build school will help with that and give you a better understanding on what you're getting into.
Welcome and good luck!
Jeff
Sounds like you don't have a rear end yet and aren't sure what you actually need. Forget the 9 inch...here's the easy button 1) 8.8 rear axle from a 1994-1998 V8 Mustang, 2)set of caliper relocation brackets and axles fro Richard Oben at North Racecars http://northracecars.com/ to bring it to the preferred Fox width 3)rebuild with the ring and pinion of your choice---for a 347/T5 combination I'd recommend 3.55
If you did that plane you'll do fine with a Roadster; you just need to keep doing your research to get up to speed. Build school will help with that and give you a better understanding on what you're getting into.
Welcome and good luck!
Jeff
The extra easy button is to order the rear end with the kit. :p ... just install and add fluid.
CraigS
02-21-2020, 07:36 AM
Welcome, you will do fine here. I always wish I had had the balls to try a plane project. Your looks wonderful. Not sure how far along you have gotten but I strongly recommend the IRS. It is a much better suspension and (a long ways off I hope) will contribute to resale value. Look around on ebay for 2015+ Mustang rear suspensions. There are usually quite a few and be sure to get one that includes the brakes. When you compare the cost of rebuilding a solid axle and buying brakes, the IRS starts looking better than it does initially.
http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/9_inch.jpg
the airplane above is not the one i restored
it was a piper L4
here is a picture of my 9" rear end
isn't there some way to adapt it to the Mk4?
thanks
iowa
GTBradley
02-23-2020, 01:15 PM
this is just a test on posting a picture
i usually just paste the picture's URL between this
we'll see if it works
this is a picture of how i preheat my cessna in winter
http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20200215_042750.jpg
Beautiful tail dragger! C170A?
Bradley
You can make pretty much anything work. Just from the pictures, you'll need to adapt for either a 3 or 4 link with some brackets that will need to be added. Do you want to run drum brakes or do you plan to swap over to disks? The width is critical if you want to run "typical" wheels on your car. If it isn't a fox body width, you'll need to shorten the tubes and axles. The fox body rear end width is 59-1/2" (might be 58-1/2 -- I forget).
This is what it should end up looking like for a 4-link:
https://www.quickperformance.com/QP-1979-1993-Ford-MUSTANG-FOX-BODY-9-Inch-Housing-Axle-Package_p_4015.html
Dave
Jeff Kleiner
02-23-2020, 02:50 PM
Sure you can “make” it work by cutting off the leaf spring mounts and welding on the proper brackets for a Fox body LCA configuration. You’ll be pretty much forced into going with a 3 link because the center section won’t accommodate upper control arms. All this presumed that it is the proper width as Papa Dave said. So, yes you can make (more like force) it to work but in my opinion it doesn’t make practical or economic sense.
Jeff
Ian G
02-23-2020, 03:07 PM
I think the 9" is overkill for these cars. Plus they weigh more than a 8.8. Don't forget these cars are very light, so the less unsprung weight the better. So for that reason IRS would be best, but there are an awful lot of roadsters running around with solid axles and they work just fine. Plus they bolt right in.
thanks guys
i'll probably abandon the 9"
and...yes, the plane is a 1951 Cessna 170A
great plane
iowa