Build plan ?'s

[Redstang69]

As I’m trying to plan my build I find myself struggling to figure out answers to a few questions I have, here goes:
As general info, I’m planning to do a base kit build, use a donor 5.0, T5, and 8.8 solid axle. After reading and watching videos I plan to buy new items for some of the remaining donor items ie. LCAs, rear control arms, fuel tank, vintage gages from FFR, new brake and clutch reservoirs and MCs, calipers, rotors and pads.

1. I plan to buy a new steering rack, is there advantage as to which rack to go with 87-93 or 94-04? Is the steering wheel and column (upper shaft) used from the donor?
2. I’d like to go with the RT complete wiring kit, is this covered with the upgrade 14613?
3. Does the base kit come with any hood hinges? If not do you use the donor car hinges?
4. Will the FFR base kit come with all new brake and fuel lines?
5. What pedal box route? Seems like I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews on the wilwood box as well as the donor car. I’ll probably go will a hydraulic clutch given what I’ve read about how “heavy” the mechanical cable ones are.

I think that’ll do for now. Sorry if this stuff has been answered before.

[John Ibele]

Welcome to the fun! I don't want to leave you hanging with one of your first posts, and I think I can see why maybe no one has responded yet.

I'm fairly certain that most folks buy the complete kit nowadays, so you may have relatively few reading your post who have personal (and recent) experience with the detailed questions you're asking about the base kit. I would suggest calling the FFR tech folks, and see what they have to say in answer to your questions. While you're on the phone with them, ask about the complete kit vs. base kit build experience. They've seen a lot of customers through the build process, and should be able to help you understand how your background fits with the build plan you have in mind.

When I purchased my kit, I was initially sold on the idea of buying the base kit and a donor with the notion that I'd save money. When I priced it out, with everything plugged in a detailed spreadsheet, I couldn't convince myself to buy the complete kit. I had a conversation with my wife, who threw in the question, "do you want to spend your time building a car, or busting your knuckles on frozen nuts and bolts, and wire brushing rust off?" That pretty quickly steered me to a complete kit, and I have no regrets. And I'm not sure I would have saved money, because the temptation to upgrade from the (new) parts in the complete kit is something I've been unable to avoid - I expect that would have been even a bigger temptation with the base kit. I have kept all receipts and spent more than I intended. I also spent several years more than I intended on the build, but I have no regrets about either. It's a hobby, and it requires a certain burn rate which isn't too steep at the rate I'm moving. Not saying that's the right choice for everyone, just sharing my personal perspective and experience.

If you've got a lot of experience working on cars and sourcing car parts, the path you're on may be just right for you. Coming at it as a newcomer with plenty of sitting and staring at parts in the complete kit, I know I would've burned a lot more time on that aspect if I had purchased the base kit.

One other item to think about is the fact that fox body Mustangs are now quite long in the tooth, and I would guess that many fall either into the decrepit or the collectible categories, with a fairly rare one making good donor material. I'm speculating here, since I haven't explored this market personally, but it's something you'll need to look closely at if you haven't already.

I know that wasn't even close to a direct answer to your questions, but I hope the perspective of one builder helps. And you are doing the right thing ... thinking carefully about the build and asking questions. The folks who enjoy their completed cars and drive them the most seem to be the ones who have thought carefully about their build, and about how they want to use their completed car, and make sure the two are a good match. Good luck!

[edwardb]

Agree about discussing with Factory Five. But some responses based on my experience:

1. 87-93 Fox body rack is SAE threads and uses a somewhat standard steering shaft adapter. 94-04 SN-95 is metric and uses a triangular adapter. Available, but not as common. I've only used the Fox body versions, although some claim certain versions of the SN-95 are better. Don't have any knowledge or experience with the specifics. In either case they require rack extenders to get the best steering geometry. Easy solution is buy the rack from Factory Five (manual or power, another discussion) and it will come with the rack extenders already installed. And theirs is the SAE version. Or Factory Five does offer a kit to use the SN-95 rack.

2. Don't know. You need to ask Factory Five.

3. Doesn't look like it. The base kit only lists hood pins. The complete kit specifically lists the hood hinges. Your donor hinges are not compatible.

4. Yes. Listed in the base kit description.

5. Not sure what negatives you're hearing about the Wilwood pedal box. Some seem to have trouble setting it up. Basically a matter of following the instructions. Some also don't like the master cylinders inside the footbox versus the donor Mustang box that puts it outside on the firewall. But I've not had any issue with that. The Wilwood setup is simple and it works. If you're going to do a hydraulic clutch, it's way easier than trying to modify the non-hydraulic donor pedal box. Also there's the matter of bending pedal arms, etc. with the donor pedal box. I've done both and for me the Wilwood is the way to go. The one possible wildcard to this decision is power brakes. It's easier to power the Mustang donor box than the Wilwood. Which is yet another discussion.

You'll get a lot of discussion about donor versus new build. I've personally not done a donor build because I've had my share of car rescues and working with old and rusted parts. Just not interested in going there. And more and more Factory Five has designed and offers parts that are significant upgrades over the previously used donor parts. Front spindles being a prime example. Having said that, some (me included) do new builds with the base kit. But that's another discussion and maybe not a good choice for a first time builder.

Hope that helps.

[Redstang69]

Thanks for the responses guys, they definitely help. I've read on here and the other forum similar responses to the complete kit vs base kit. I was originally going to do full base kit and donor car build, but after reading others opinions on this and then somewhat detailed spreadsheet as you did John, I landed on the base kit, plus a couple upgrades from FF plus mostly new parts sourced from various places (SBE brakes, NAPA/Advanced steering rack, summit control arms, LMR fuel tank, etc.) I was nearly talked into the complete kit but I read a fair amount of posts from guys that did the complete kit that said they would go back and do the base kit plus source many new parts because they ended up upgrading a lot of their complete kit parts.
I haven't ordered my kit yet, so it's not liked I'm locked in one way or another. I though I might alleviate some of the FF backordered parts (spindles and wheels) issues by going a base kit also.

edward, thanks for clarifying the different racks and the feedback on the wilwood pedals. I can't remember now what the negative feedback was, I've read 5 or 6 of the longer build threads now and info is starting to run together.
I plan on power steering and non-power brakes. Also planned on a triple reservoir setup in the engine bay. My mustang has manual drum brakes all the way around and it's always been fine. I did put factory power steering on a few years after completing the restoration and that was probably the best upgrade I've ever done to the car. Since the fox body and SN95 racks are power anyway I figure I'll just go that route right off the bat.
I don't plan on doing any racing/tracking with the car, just a cruiser.

[edwardb]

Sounds like you have the experience to do a new build with a base kit. I'd sure caution you on parts compatibility. Especially for suspension components. But I'd really strongly recommend you to use the Factory Five spindles. I know they're backordered right now and getting a lot of attention from everyone. But with the current 5-6 month kit leadtime, I expect that situation is going to change by the time you could take delivery on a kit. They have a whole bunch of them on order. There is a big difference in front suspension geometry between a Mustang spindle (adapted McPherson strut style) and the Factory Five designed spindles. I've had both and the difference is dramatic. I wouldn't build another with donor spindles.

[Redstang69]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Edward. I've restored a 69 Mustang, an old bulldozer, old tractor and a few different cars with my Dad. The build doesn't look too awful intimidating, but I'm sure there will be challenges. My weak point is custom fabricating, but that is my dad's strong suit so I think it can be tackled.
Great advice on the spindles. Considering the fox rack would be my preferred and that's the style FF provides, I'll just get all that from them.
I'm going tomorrow to check out a local guys cobra tomorrow, pretty pumped.