mustang 2 clip

We are going to use the pinto cradle and either widen it or notch the framerails and leave the cradle alone. Not sure yet. By what I have read it will not handle that good but condering it handles like a pulpwood truck now I am not to worried especially on a drag car

 

Why not, that's the way they did it before all the aftermarket kits were introduced.

 

thats what I was thinking. My dad is a good fabricator and welder. We have far more time than money so it just makes since to me

 

The steering horns on the spindles are angled for a much shorter wheel base than a Maverick - That means your steering geometry will have to be corrected in order for the Pinto rack to work. In order to make it work you may have to change the angle on the spindles to match the angles of the Maverick -

 

is there much difference between a pinto and mustang 2 clip. A mustang 2 is 96.3 inch wheelbase so it is kinda in between.

 

You just answered your question. the difference in wheelbase will meen different angles on the steering horn for the spindles. Any difference in track will change the overall steering limits when you put it into a car with different track and wheelbase.

 

I may be outta line here, but I don't understand why you say it won't work. As far as I know, all the Mustang II kits use the same spindles, same control arms, etc. They all mount the same way, even the tubular A arms, in the same locations. Only difference is the width of the cradle and the front frame rails which may require a longer or shorter rack or tie rods due to the spindles being further apart or closer together. If you buy a MII crossmember designed to fit a Maverick, it will be the proper width for the frame rails, and when welded in place, you can use stock MII/Pinto A arms and spindles or the aftermarket ones. Depending on the width of the Pinto frame rails, an aftermarket crossmember might be easier to fit a Maverick than trying to modifiy the Pinto unit.
I put a Pinto rack into a Vega drag car I built one time. I built a crossmember to mount it in the center, then had to shorten each side about 1" IIRC. Car steered like a dream, no wander like a regular steering gearbox. That's why everybody wants to change over to a rack and pinion----better, more precise steering.....

 

It's not that it won't work, it won't have the proper geometry which could cause some minor handling issues as well as tire wear. It has to do with the ackerman principal which I can't explain. They taught us about it in tech school but that was a long time ago. The steering arms are where they make the changes to account for wheelbase and other variables.

 

Here's a pretty simple explanation of the Ackerman principle http://www.nationaltbucketalliance.com/tech_info/chassis/ackerman/Ackerman.asp

I can see where Paul is saying the steering arms would be different on a long vs short wheelbase car. However, using stock componets albeit they may be in a slightly different place[wider apart] than they were on the donor car should still have the same effect as when they were on they donor car. It's not like he will be reversing the spindles and putting the rack to the back instead of the front as it was designed. The intersecting point from the steering arms to the rear axle will move a bit and might affect turning somewhat, but since this car will end up being a mostly drag car with very limited street use, I don't see any problems other than maybe some tire wear. Going straight shouldn't be a problem. If I am wrong on this, somebody show me where I am missing it. I may have missed something....

 

thats my thoughts too. I know mavman is running a clip out of a bobcat in his mav and its in the 5's. I am not expecting a road racer by any means but I have found several cars on here running factory mustang 2 bobcat or pinto clips. I have also come to the realization that this car will probaly be permantly of the street and a track only car. I figure I will change front tires out because of age before they would wear out

 

Yep, I told ya so! I figured when ya started cutting and welding that it would stay on the strip! Now you might as well order that roll cage kit!

 

I will.lol I want to backhalf it and have some 14x32's, just don't have enough engine to pull them. lol

 

You have that 460 in that rusty old truck.....

 

WELL......... The mustang 2 was based off of the ford pinto

 

I thought about it but not yet. A 460 might go in next winter though. I just don't have the cash to build one right now.