Almost a month later since I started on the front suspension and it still isn’t completely assembled.  I received the stud bolts and nuts from Wisconsin that were originally missing from the strut rod parts that arrived from StreetBeasts and was able to install them (finally).  When I pulled out the hub and disc brake parts to do a trial fit up, I noticed that one of the wheel bearing nuts was not only “not new” (rusty corrosion) but it was also the wrong size and a different material – it wouldn’t even go on the spindle.  I just wish I would have known sooner (my fault for not checking more closely).  I’ll get one locally …

Oct. 16 – Just a note to update this post to say that I got the wheel bearing nuts I needed from a local Ford dealer so I’m back in business!

I got started on installing the front suspension over the weekend or at least to as far as I could go until I receive the missing strut rods from StreetBeasts.  SB called on Friday and said they found them and would ship them out.

I also picked up a set of new Ford upper control arms for my rear axle assembly.  The original ones that came with the ‘89 Mustang set-up I purchased on e-Bay a while back needed new rubber bushings.  I didn’t have much luck finding the bushings as a separate item and Ford doesn’t sell the bushings separately (of course) so I had to order complete upper control arm assemblies.  They have a galvanized steel finish (not a black powder coat finish like I was expecting).  Guess I’ll have to paint them …

Not much got done over the holiday weekend, however, I did manage to set the frame on jack stands and get it perfectly level.  The garage floor must be rather level since I didn’t have  to do any shimming.  I still might have to move the front stands because I don’t have them situated exactly where the Manual suggests they should be placed.  The frame is now sitting about 18″ off the floor as well so I can use a creeper to get under it as necessary.

I laid out the front suspension parts and was hoping to get them installed but it appears as though I’m missing a couple of pieces.  I need to finish checking all of the boxes first because I found the door latches and handles in with the brake parts earlier.

I dropped off the replacement axle seals and new Moser axles at Jim’s this morning.  The axle assembly will be ready for pick up Sunday afternoon.  Jim did a very nice job removing the outside axle stabilizer shock mount brackets – smooth.  By the way, Jim’s place of business is known as Jim’s Performance; I’ve included his contact info below.

Sunday (6/1) update – I got the axle assembly back from Jim ready for sanding and paint.  The new DTS aluminum center section cover and Moser axles look great.  I still need to get new bushings for the stock Ford upper control arms; recall that Global West recommended using the stock Ford upper control arms with their lowers.  It was exciting to see the rear axle assembly get a step closer to being ready for installation into the car.  I thought a close up the cover would be in order – I think it looks pretty sharp.

The new 3.55 gear set is now installed and setup in the center section of the rear axle assembly.  One of the used 5-lug axles I acquired to upgrade the stock 4-lug variety that came with the unit had a galled bearing face surface and really couldn’t be used.  I ordered new 5-lug Moser axles from DTS today that should kick the axle assembly up a notch or two in strength.  I’m looking forward to their arrival and the completion of the rear assembly (except for paint).

I’m using a Ford 8.8 posi rear axle assembly that had stock 2.73 gears and was acquired through E-Bay.  It came out of a 1989 Mustang and was a quad-shock setup complete with upper and lower control arms, anti-sway bar, drum brakes (brake lines included), and 4-lug axles.

The 2.73 gears were probably the first on my hit list and were replaced with a set of Ford Racing 3.55 gears acquired from Drive Train Specialists (DTS).  I ordered the gear set, installation kit, and a new bright and shiny and stronger center section cover as well. DTS was very knowledgeable, helpful, and good people to deal with; I’ve included a link to their Website.

The next thing I did was to order replacement tubular lower control arms from Global West Suspension (click on link for more info).  The new lower control arms utilize spherical aircraft bearings and DEL-A-LUM^®(pronounced della-loom) bushings to control rear end lateral movement as well as fore and aft location.  Global West recommended using the factory original upper control arms so I’m having those, along with the axle assembly brackets, refurbished with new bushings.

Because I don’t really need the axle stabilizer shocks portion of the quad-shock arrangement due to my Global West setup, I had those brackets cut off the axle tubes.  The StreetBeasts frame doesn’t actually have a provision for those extra shocks either although I could have moved the brackets inboard and mounted them anyway if I was so inclined – I wasn’t.

I also found a pair of 5-lug axles with matching brake drums on E-bay to upgrade the assembly accordingly.  I’m sticking with drum brakes in back and will overhaul them to brand new condition shortly.

Jim France (Dave’s friend) is doing the 3.55 gear installation work, re-bushing the upper control arms and axle brackets, and removing the extra quad-shock mounting brackets on the axle.  The assembly is due back around June 1 at which time I intend to finish it with a coat of chassis black paint.