1972 Torino Performance Suspension Parts?

Anyone have any sources for performance suspension parts for the 72-up Torinos? New control arms, bushings, springs, etc?

I found this company:

Performance Suspension Technology

But I'm not finding anything for 72s. How much different were the 72s than the earlier year models?

I don't mind having to make all my own stuff, I do that for the race cars anyhow. But buying good stuff or even some basic parts would be a nicer starting place. The more I'm learning the more I'm finding out that the 72-up Torino is something of a red-headed stepchild....which is ok since I've owned many "non-popular" Fords over the years and had to make my way.

How about front brake upgrade kits? Any sources on those?

Ron

check for up to 79 ltd 2

Yeah they dont make anything, once I move later this year I hope and get my shop squared away, I wanna make a set of control arms that bolt in and replace the sock ones, and use a different spindle if you want so you can get better brakes for now there is nothing out there so ya gotta do everything one off.

Ron-
On the suspension, there has been alot of nothing really. Seems to be trial and error, and some good sucesses.
One issue, these cars NEED high rate springs. Even on the GTS packaged cars with the Maximum Handling package, the rates worked, but not high enough.
One good friend of mine does asphault oval track stuff. He runs 5" springs, with spacer cups, sort of like the hobby stock guys do. He is running a 850 pound spring up front, 351w/c6 in a 1974 Montego MX coupe, and I've been told by him, and his son the car drives quite well, his son said it was a blast in the canyons back in California.
Some guys have just stuck LTD springs, Ford Wagon springs, etc in their Torinos to get a stiffer setup.
Myself, I got a pair of rear high rate Moog new old replacement stock springs,
and as part of a package deal from a buddy, I got springs for a 1977 460 mark5 lincoln, which I shaved 4.5" inches off. I honestly have not a clue what it did to increase the rate, but the car is solid, not floaty, and the stance sits where I want it. I know I can hammer my GTS in the corners a lot faster than I really should.
The Pure Vision Gran Torino Sport used stock arms up front, but they were able to stick coilovers with very minimal work, I don't have any pictures for referance right now, otherwise I would post.
Out back, they did a 4 link with coilovers, but that was major build on the Torino. Some guys have done the truck-arm kit, from Hot Rods to Hell, ala nascar, and heard lots of good from that, but that requires alot of surgery out back.
For rear suspension-look at your control arms. Are they round or more of a diamond type shape? The diamonds are the max handling ones {ie: police}.
The lower arms, just box with some 3/16" plate, and you should be good to go, with new bushings. I also stuck inside the lower arm, 3 cross braces fully welded. Overkill, but I don't worry about them twisting.
I also did a 2/3 box on my front lower arms, while leaving the access area by the shock open.
Aftermarket lower rear arms are available from Metco, but they are a bit pricy. Billet is neat-o, but I'll stick with elcheapo steel boxed arms.

Which, is one of my gripes. On our cars, we can get the bushings, but no one has the replacement ecentric type bushings, for dialing in pinion camber. I guess the mfgr's don't think it matters that much.

On the bushings, I got all my front end stuff in a package deal from my buddy with the mark5 stuff...so I went factory-type replacement.
I have a PST polygraphite kit for the rear arms, and they will go in eventually, as I am not running my MH uppers right now. {for what ever reason, when I boxed my lowers, I used a spare set of regular uppers instead of doing my MH parts. DOH!}

My 1972 GTS is a factory 4 speed car; it has a 3 turn lock to lock box as compared to the regular 4 l-t-l box.
I think AGR can modify or change out to a better box, but I've never bothered into checking. There are some guys running GM type signaw units, just need to use some adapter fittings if running OEM ford PS pump.
No direct bolt in kits for a rack and pinion setup, but honestly, I have no opinion one way or the other. I'm good with my drag link setup.
I've seen roller-ized bearing draglink stuff for the mustang crowd, from Moog, but I don't think they are the same as the torino.

Sway bars are a must, but the biggest I have seen factory is the 1-1/8" front bar. I have a factory rear bar, a small 5/8" diameter, I've heard of guys doing a 7/8" front bar flip and fabricating the brackets to mount it up.
There was a guy who did a book, I think "MRE", I have it somewhere, for referance. Not the best, but useful.

Brakes are sort of Factory, and then swap out the spindle for aftermarket.
I'm going to ignore the 9" out back. I run 10" drums, will be going to 11 x2.5" drums over this winter. I like it simple, and don't want to mess with rear discs.
You have 11" standard front rotors, single piston caliper. Then, on the case of my GTS, and the Police and 1972 Thunderbirds, you have the 12" rotors, from the factory. These rotors will bolt on a 1972 Torino spindle, utilize the full size ford/merc/lincoln caliper bracket, and the same caliper for the 11" rotor.
The 12" last I checked was $155 from NAPA.
Hence, my episode of fitting 13" rotors off a 1999 Crown Vic Police Interceptor along with caliper and bracket. I fabricated a wheel hub from a pair of worn out rotors; basically we stuck them on a lathe, and turned off the rotor area, and machined the flange area for the studs to match the crown vic hub dimensionally. I also made adapter brackets to bolt the CV caliper bracket onto the Torino spindle.
Pure Vision went to FatMan Fabrications, and used one of their spindles spec'd for a 60's ford, same ball joits I understand, and they went to one of the major brake suppliers for the brake package, but it was a bolt together affair.
The shock issue has been discussed at length.
Me, I'm a cheap ass, I'm going to stick in Monroe Police spec gas shocks for a CVPI and call it good. Otherwise, adjustable shocks come to mind if you are a control freak. KYB, among others, are a good choice. Just need to ask around.

Ron,
Pretty excited to see what you are gonna do with the car. Definitely create a "makin progress" thread once you start. Looks like you have the drive/time/dough to do a sweet project. Be sure you see this, if you haven't already.

http://www.fordmuscle.com/forums/tec...76-torino.html

Oh as far as sway bar, dont know if crown vic stuff interchanges I think it does wagons and cop cars came with 1 3/16 inch bar, also check addco I just looked and they had 1 1/8 so yeah a wagon or cop swap bar would be best I imagine, but 1 1/8 should be plenty with some good bushings.

I am retro fitting a 7/8-13/16 sway bar off of an 2004 tahoe for mine all looks like it will go in easy. cant remember what size exactly

isnt 7/8 the stock size anyways?

This is some great stuff fellows, thanks much. My concerns are for road racing (not that we're actually going to race it with a sanctioning class, but it will see some track days) so what I'll be after, not in any certain order:

• Springs - I completely agree with the high rate springs. I was going to guess 600-750lbs at least. Coil Spring Specialties -- individually calibrated coil springs for any suspension need. is fantastic for custom springs and cheap - any length, diameter, rate, they can make them.

• Swaybars - doesn't have to be off the shelf here, easy enough to make these and mounts. Get yours springs right and they are less of an issue, but I do want adjustable bars. Again, not hard.

• Brakes - sort of sucks this looks like it'll be a one off job. Was hoping for some kick ass bolt on options like the MOPAR and Chevy crowd have, but looks like it isn't to be for the Ford. Have to do some thinking on this one as I want some serious stopping power that won't fade up front and some discs in the rear. I am assuming some standard 9" disc conversion stuff will work with the Torino?

• Bushings - it "appears" there are some decent bushings out there. These polygraphite pieces, are they hard enough? Could go to some spherical monoballs if we really get serious, that is what I use on my cars now. Hard, but suspension is well located and moves free.

• Good tips on boxing and strengthening the suspension bits. Can do there and will be done.

• Panhard rod - need to locate that axle side to side and these are easy to fab up.

• Lowered - thanks for the wheel tips! I like the NASCAR wheel look, would like some in ally, have to look around. Steel is common, could use those. Have to get the springs, wheels right.

• Steering - any quick ratio units out there to be had? Manual box would be fine, I think.

So the first thing I'll be tackling on this project will be "handling/braking". Hell, I haven't even got the car yet! Got to drive it around for a little bit!

there was some info a while back basicly manual boxes from 71-73 mustangs will work for a torino and they are quicker ratio boxes but don't know where i saw it sorry i cant be of more help