BluePrint Engines

Visit our community sponsor

Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: SN 95 Spindle width and interchangeability ?'s

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Birmingham, AL
    Posts
    82
    Post Thanks / Like

    SN 95 Spindle width and interchangeability ?'s

    So I have been driving my donor build around in gelcoat for a few months with the stock mustang wheel and tires. Donor was a 1999 mustang.

    I just received my FFR Halibrand 17" wheels with the staggered width 9" front 10.5" rear. I have already done the research and bit the bullit and bout a 98 model rear Axel and the fox width shafts to swap into the rear, but now not the front.

    I bolted the front rims on and they stick out about .5" past the front fender.

    I was happy with the way the stock 8" front wheel tucked inside the front fenders but these 9" look goofy to me. How much narrower would it be to put on the 94-95 spindles? Can I simply buy a set of used spindles on eBay and bolt them on with my hubs and brakes? I have heard that I will have to clearance the lower control arms or upgrade to the tubular FFR units.

    Does anyone make a 8" x 17" halibrand so that I don't have to swap spindles and can keep the width and backspace of the factory mustang wheels, because I was happy with the stance?

    Thanks for any help, I'm sure plenty of others have been through this before, but my searches seems to steer (no pun intended) towards conversations about correcting bump steer rather than width.

  2. #2
    Bill_VA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Manassas, VA
    Posts
    230
    Post Thanks / Like
    Been there done that. I started with a set of 1996 SN95 spindles and thought they were fine until I fit the body the first time. Tires stuck out way too far.

    What I really wanted was a 1994-1995 SN95 spindle set. These are 8mm narrower per side and help bring the wheels and tires in. Unfortunately you can't buy them new. I searched eBay and got a pair cheap and ordered new hubs, then painted the spindles. All good.
    Non-donor - Engine Factory 351w/400hp - TKO500 - 3-Link - Cobra brakes - FFmetal - Wilwood pedals - FR500 wheels - NCPainter

    Owner of FFmetal.com

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Medway, MA
    Posts
    298
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    1
    Yes I concur with the 1994-1995 spindles.
    You can also mount your lower control arms to the inboard mounting hole and remove the rack extenders, and mount your upper control arm to the underside of the upper mount. (required dissassembly of arm to thread it through and frame grinding to clear rear pivot). I works great!
    www.breezeautomotive.com 2005 FFR Mk3 Roadster, 302/340hp, MassFlo EFI, Breeze Pulleys, T5, Aluminum Flywheel, 3-link rear with Torsen Diff and 3.27:1 gears, Power Steering, Breeze Front Sway Bar, SN-95 Spindles with outboard SAI Mod, Breeze Battery Mount, QA1 Externally Adjustable Shocks, Quick Release Steering Wheel, Vintage Race seats, GM Arctic White, Sky Blue Scoop, Hidden Hinges, Billet Aluminum Side-view Mirrors, 2,183lbs wet. 1967 Mustang Fastback, Dark Moss Green, black interior, '67 14" styled steel wheels, 2000 Explorer 302 w 5.0 Cam, Quickfuel 450 CFM, 289 Hi-Po Dual exhaust, C4, lowering springs w Shelby drop.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Paul2STL's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Tacoma, WA
    Posts
    260
    Post Thanks / Like
    If you go with the FFR spindles you will not have that problem. Look at my car and you will see rim is at the edge of the body. It is the best look in my honest opinion. They won't look goofy. Post some pics for us to see what you are talking about. Also what spindles are you now 99s?
    MKIV #9122 Ordered kit 5/24/17 received kit 8/11/17 MK4 Base kit +,First Start 4/7/18, First Go-Cart 4/22/18, In gelcoat, licensed and driving 8/11/18. Coyote gen2, T-56, 2015 IRS 3.31, 17" Halibrand replicas w/Nitto NT555 G2, Withby Motorcars power brake kit W/Wilwood pedals, 04 Cobra front brakes, 15 Mustang rear brakes with mods, power steering. Paint Jeff Miller Da Bat, Lexus Spectra Blue Mica W/Toyota Silver Sky Metallic strips. Build thread: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...Paul2STL-Build

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Posts
    74
    Post Thanks / Like
    Look at E-T Wheels model AC lll. It's available in 8 x 17, and 91/2 x17 with your choice of backspacing (within limits). You might find just a little more back spacing will work with the wider wheel.
    358 SBC, Winters QC, Sweet mfg, Coleman, AP Racing, ARS, TKO 600, Fuel Safe

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Posts
    74
    Post Thanks / Like
    E-T also offers a set for Factory Five Roadster utilizing 17 x8 for fronts.
    358 SBC, Winters QC, Sweet mfg, Coleman, AP Racing, ARS, TKO 600, Fuel Safe

  7. #7
    Senior Member weendoggy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Aptos, CA
    Posts
    387
    Post Thanks / Like
    My MKI has SN95, lower 1st edition tubular and 1st edition SPC UCA (the straight ones) and have no issues with Team III wheels (strong 8" fronts). 245/40x17 tires. No rack offset bushings, no bumpsteer issues. If your tires are sticking out 1/2" now, putting the dogleg spindle on will only lessen it about 1/4", so it'll still stick out. Check your BS on wheels to make sure that's right. I also run 245/45x17 track tires on F500 wheels without issues.
    I'm just a victim of a thousand physic wars!
    www.weendoggy.com/cobra.htm

  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Birmingham, AL
    Posts
    82
    Post Thanks / Like
    Thank you for the replies.
    I think from what I have gathered the 94-95 spindles and the FFR spindles correct some bumpsteer issues, but have the same width that I have now. Fox spindles would mean a totally different brake set up and would narrow me by 8mm on each side.

    I did get some advice to run 245's and adjust the Upper COntrol Arm in for all the camber I can get and they should tuck into the fender.

    If they do not, then I will ditch the factory Lower control arms and buy a set of mustang LCA's and shorten them up as needed to get the exact width I want.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Norm B's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Head of St Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
    Posts
    956
    Post Thanks / Like
    The 94/95 spindles are narrower than the later ones. They also have a drop in the steering arm that improves steering geometry reducing bump steer. Here’s a couple of pictures. One during the build that you can see the drop in the steering arm by zooming in and the other of the completed car with 17 inch FFR Halibrand wheels and 245 width tires on the front.

    HTH
    Norm
    Attached Images Attached Images

  10. #10
    Not a waxer Jeff Kleiner's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Bloomington, Indiana
    Posts
    8,003
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by WarDamnEagle View Post
    Thank you for the replies.
    I think from what I have gathered the 94-95 spindles and the FFR spindles correct some bumpsteer issues, but have the same width that I have now
    No. Fox, 1994/1995 and FFR spindles all result in the same track width which is narrower than what you have now. Yes, the amount of camber comes into play as far as the tire to body relationship goes. For a street car I wouldn't feel bad about going to a full 1 degree negative camber which might get you closer to tucked under. You are far from the first to have discovered this issue with the '96 and later spindles.

    Good luck,
    Jeff

  11. #11
    Senior Member CraigS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Blacksburg, Va
    Posts
    4,707
    Post Thanks / Like
    I wouldn't go for other LCAs. Anyone w/ a bandsaw, a grinder, and a welder could shorten your LCAs. Mustang tubular LCAs are not designed to have the spring load run through them. The spring is on the strut. Also the holes in the frame mount ears could be moved.
    FFR MkII, 408W, Tremec TKO 500, 2015 IRS, DA QA1s, Forte front bar, APE hardtop.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Martin's Dent and Collision Shop

Visit our community sponsor