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There are many companies who will gladly take thousands of dollars from you.
Contact Street or Track or Opentracker, both supporters of this website, for an honest assessment of your needs.

 

Quite simply, you will never get a vintage mustang to handle like a modern car...at least not without dropping a vintage mustang body onto the chassis of a modern car. That isn't to say you can't get them to go around a track quickly, just that the suspension design is miles away from anything on the road today. The question is more how much you are willing to pay to make it do what you want. The vast majority of people are happy with coilover front and rear setups like what SoT offers, but some people will put down the cash for a setup from Griggs, etc.

To be perfectly honest, even with the stock suspesnion, my first vintage mustang(a 67 coupe) was able to stick to the road in the curves well enough to satisfy any moderately aggressive cruising I did at the time...but the "pucker" factor was a lot higher than a modern car.

 

Tim,

Welcome. You will find lots of information and opinions here. Some opinions may actually concur. There are a number of resources people here go to for suspension upgrades. They include:

Street or Track (call and talk to Shaun)
Open Tracker (John is the guy)

Mike Maier Inc - Mustang Performance Suspension & Parts, Built in USA

Handcrafted performance suspension for modern and classic Mustang, Falcon, Fairlane, Cougar and more. Designed and built by the MMI Team.

mikemaierinc.com

There was an episode of Bitchin Rides where they put a full frame under a K code fastback. I cannot recall the frame/suspension manufacturer.

Part of your equation will also be which engine you want to go with. Going modern with a Coyote will require significant cutting and rebuild of the front end. I would start with understanding your budget, select an engine preference then work on suspension that works with the engine and budget.

 

There was an episode of Bitchin Rides where they put a full frame under a K code fastback. I cannot recall the frame/suspension manufacturer.

It was Roadster Shop

 

Here's the best how-to on getting a vintage Mustang to handle like a modern Mustang.

 

I will never understand the reasoning behind owning vintage car if any kind and wanting it to handle like a modern car.

Save yourself thousands of dollars, loads of headache, and tons of frustration and buy a modern car.

 

Uhhh yea, these are 50 yr old cars. Even if totally restored, with no budget, they'll still handle like a 50 year old car,......that's new.

 

The factory front suspension is technically a coilover and can be made to handle very well as soon as you get enough seat time to learn what it can and cannot do, just like any other car. I have spent over 30 years driving street vehicles, 24 years driving pursuit rated police vehicles, and have had my share of track time off and on for all my adult life...and I can make my 55 year old Mustang do stuff that would stun most people but I generally don't because I'm always concerned about the other guy, the unseen pothole etc and I care more about safety and the longevity of my car. But it handles GREAT with a good choice of springs, large front sway bar, poly bushings where appropriate, very good shocks and a steering box with integrity. You don't have to break the bank or the law to have a Mustang that turns like a go-cart, handles like it's on rails, or rides like a Lincoln.

 

There are a few companies that will do a replacement chassis for a 65 Mustang

as stated Roadster shop
1964-70 Mustang Chassis - Roadster Shop Roadster Shop

Schwartz Performance
1964–1973 Mustang Chassis - Schwartz Performance

Art Morrison
MaxG Chassis | Art Morrison Enterprises

They all have different requirements and amounts of work.

Coyote engine swap is certainly doable but make sure you understand what is all required for something like that.

 

You opened up the proverbial "can of worms" with that question! And don't fear, we'll help you spend your money. Gladly.

Begin by reading thread after thread on here. And visit every recommended (or even mentioned) vendor and read their commentary - you'll learn a lot. Then set a budget.
First on the list, your classic doesn't have the structural stiffness of a new Mustang. But you can make it much better with an export brace, Monte Carlo bar, Z-Ray's under-engine cross member, torque boxes, and sub-frame connectors (although there is dispute about those).
Second, you'll need to upgrade the suspension. The primary issue (IMHO) is the lack of positive camber. Many companies sell revised upper and lower arms (and other parts) that provide positive camber.
Third, have your steering rebuilt by someone who knows what they're doing (many of us used Chockostang).

Fourth, report back, ask questions, keep us informed of your progress, and post pictures.

 

Buy old car. Buy new car. Place body from old car onto new car. Enjoy.


Mark

 

I didn't spend a ton of money on mine and I've put 35-40K on my suspension rebuild through lots of cruising and 4 hot rod power tours. I'm actually really happy with how the car drives/handles.

The rear is simple, quality rear springs. I used Eaton "GT" style stock springs and quality shocks.

The front can use some upgrades that help a lot. Simple upgrades are the ":shelby drop", roller spring perches I believe help quite a bit, and solid strut rods from street or track. GT style front springs and quality shocks.

That all should get you a pretty decent handling car for not a ton of cash (it's still expensive to do a full rebuild, especially if you have to update to discs).

Then... you can also go nuts, cut out strut towers and do coil overs and all sorts of stuff.

 

I drive a 65 GT. Stock suspension w/KYB's. Stock manual disc/drum, manual steering and 205/70/14 tires w/14x5 wheels.. I have always been happy with this cars handling. 360's on iced roads, sliding to a panic stop, or sliding around corners. Stone predictable. With a firm hand will always straighten out. Brian

 

Love my suspension from Street or Track, Opentracker, and Global West. Steering from Chock.

Chris

 

You can significantly improve the suspension for lets say less than $2000 by working with SaT or Opentracker. To get close to a modern car you would have to spend a lot. Keep that in mind.

 

The best way is to search up SN-65.

SN65 03/65 Mustang – Build Threads

I drove my 65 Mustang several hundred thousand miles in with KYBs and it was okay.

 

Opinions on the forum will be a house divided as to what you are looking for. Since you have said you intend the car to be a daily driver and to be your last car I would suggest you search the forum for what others have did in an attempt to upgrade,improve,modernize change .

That being said talk to some of the vendors about what you want from the car. There is a multitude of parts available. First and foremost realize it's never going to be as good as a modern car,some say.

I say make your choice about the direction you want to take the car ,select your parts,buy and install them. If after the fact you find that change dose'nt work for you move on ,sell the parts put new ones on . Someone on the forum is always looking for parts.
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Remember it's your car just because a follow Mustang owner would never do what you might do does not mean it's wrong nor that it won't work for you

 

Price out what you want to do to modernize. You may put $40k into it when you could have bought a 2005-2010 Shelby instead.

 

He could put $50K into it and it still won’t drive or handle like a new modem Mustang.

 

Wel

Well said. I suspect most people who own a Vintage Mustang do so because they like the style and appeal the cars have on people in general.

I also think most everyone who owns and drives the cars do not think they can have the handleing charastics of a modern car. But for what I consider a modest investment of money and time they can have a vintage Mustang that I think most owners would agree is a far better handleing mustang than what the vast majority sold were .Since most were not race cars and as such did'nt have upgraded suspension.

But maybe that's just me.

 

Case in point...several hundreds of thousands of dollars in some of the best prepared vintage cars on the planet. Guess what there motto is? “We spend more money to go slower than any modern car on the track”. Notice that is a direct quote.

 

Winner’s Circle. Race winner (blue car) 100% vintage legal stock style suspension. Second place (yellow car), likely the closest thing you can get to a modern suspension on the track...probably with the exception of SorT. However, I would classify the two as very similar. Point being, attempting to make a vintage car drive and handle like a modern car might not make it a winner.

BTW...the blue car started dead last.

 

BTW, I’m not trying to kick your idea in the nuts. However, I am trying to keep you from wasting a load of money trying to achieve a unattainable result. I’m not saying you can’t drastically improve on vintage Mustang suspensions. I have two from one of the aforementioned vendors that I feel are well above par

It would suck for you to spend a ton of money only to get in your buddy’s 2020 Mustang GT and go...wow, why did I do that again???

I would highly recommend you call John at Opentracker AND Shaun at SorT. Neither will lead you down the proverbial Primrose Path. Then decide what you want to do.

 

Closest to modern, but somewhat vintage(?), in my uneducated opinion would be more like the Kindig Mustang. Of course when you start out with a frame at around $20k, the price tag goes up real quick. SN65 would be another, but really it IS a modern car, just has a 65 skin. A Hannibal Lector car if you will...

Optmizing the vintage stuff and enjoying it for what it is appeals to me way more than “modernizing” it. But that’s just me...

 

Yeah, there's nothing "wrong" with my Mustang as it is, I'm happy, and kinda hate to mess with a mostly original car, but I still kinda wanna do the Arning Drop, get full roller spring perches, a roller idler bearing, adjustable solid strut rods, an export brace, a Monte Carlo car, a Z-Ray crossmember, and a set of Bilstein Street Valve shocks all around.

 

Mine has a lot of things on that list and it’s amazing. Do it. Heck, the 2 things that make the biggest difference (Arning drop & perches) are practically invisible. The Zray crossmember is great too and super easy and quick to install/remove in case you miss the original. (You won’t)

 

I’ve owned a classic Mustang almost every day of the last 30 years. I’ve daily driven one for almost 10 of those years. I’m currently living the dream, driving my 66 any time I want to, which is quite often. This is made better by having a 17 year old beater Toyota SUV with airbags, ABS and great A/C for rain, cargo, laziness, anonymity, etc.

For me, a classic Mustang is the best car there is. That doesn’t mean it has to be the best at everything, and some things about daily driving (like weather and parking lots) are painful to cars you really love.

 

"Daily Driver" and "Best Handling" generally don't really belong in the same sentence when it comes to a vintage Mustang. It all depends on your priorities. For example, I have a 65 Convertible with 620 coils, kyb shocks, 1" sway bar, HD leafs in the rear running standard 205/70R14 tires and the car handles extremely well. This car is my Southern California daily driver. It's a like a go cart, but the ride is very harsh and can be exhausting at times.

In contrast, I have a 66 GT convertible that has its stock GT suspension (coils, sway bar, rear leafs), but with single stage adjustable QA1 shocks with 215/60R14 tires. The car hands very well and is very comfortable. It may not handle as well as the 65 with the 620s, but I actually prefer the GT suspension for daily driving.

I have a 65 Fastback that also has 620s, 1" sway bar, Shelby drop, kyb shocks, mid-eye HD leafs with a 3/4 rear sway bar and this car handles way more aggressively than the other two cars. However, I jump in my 2019 GT350 and it just blows EVERYTHING else away 5x over . I mean, how much are we expecting from vehicles that have leafs, solid rear axle and these vintage cars can only run tires so big, so the contact patch is limited by modern standards. I also have a 65 Fastback with a Coyote, Heidts Pro G front clip with IRS suspension and should have the car on the road within a couple of years. I'm sure its handling will surpass all of the other vintage Mustangs that I own. I mean it will probably cost close to six figures to finish, but the 2019 GT350 will still blow it away.

In regards to daily driving, I would definitely upgrade the suspension, but its about finding the right balance for your expectations and taste. Also, consider what works for your wallet. For my 65 daily driver, I would recommend installing LED lighting, tandem master cylinder, run disc brakes up front, and consider AOD or a T5 for overdrive. So that modern "feel" goes beyond just the suspension. A 3G alternator, EFI, and hi back seats may be something to consider. Everyone has a difference in opinion, but these are my suggestions coming from someone whom has stock, to mild restomod, to extreme Coyote builds. I love all the difference in opinions and options out there to customize our vintage Mustangs.

 

I have a 65 Convertible... I have a 66 GT convertible... I have a 65 Fastback... I jump in my 2019 GT350...

Geez man, I wanna be you when I grow up.