[JustineRenee]

I'm really new to this whole Mustang thing, the most I know is that I've been driving a 2001 Mustang with a rediculously low body kit that I didn't pick out, and huge rims that help me feel every dent in the road.

This is my problem, I suppose...
I got into a little accident going through a mountain pass last winter and cracked my body kit really bad, and the fact that it's so low is only making it worse. It gets scraped and banged up more and more from every upward and downward incline i have to drive over. I'm sick of having to think about when i can drive depending on if my car can make it!

I need to find a new front end thats not so low to the ground, and doesn't look rediculous with my tires, but I don't know where to look for one or what to do. Someone take me under their wing, please?

[pyro1730]

welcome. do you know what size the rims are? my suggestion would be to see if yuo could find a stock body kit from a 2001 stang and possibly stock rims.

[stlwagon]

Welcome aboard!

[JustineRenee]

Originally Posted by pyro1730

welcome. do you know what size the rims are? my suggestion would be to see if yuo could find a stock body kit from a 2001 stang and possibly stock rims.

They are 18x9, and thanks for your suggestion.

[heavy metal]

Welcome to the site!!!!

[tripleblack]

Originally Posted by JustineRenee

They are 18x9, and thanks for your suggestion.

Justine, welcome Home to AFM!

I moved your thread to the V6 Talk section where there are lots of folks with information.

I have a 2002 with essentially the same setup you describe, 18x9" on the front and 18x10" on the rear. Low profile tires definitely firm up the ride, and the wide tires and wheels will pick up more road feel.

I suspect your car has also been lowered a good deal.

It also sounds like you have one of the kits that is made from fiberglass, and yes, they will unfortunately shatter easily (high quality kits are now made from urethane, and are much tougher).

I would suggest you consider swapping in less aggressive springs first of all. FRPP (Ford Racing Performance Products) sells a number of springs that will raise up the car and soften the ride, though the look of the car will be different. I would recommend one of the spring sets with either a half inch or 3/4 inch drop overall. I SUSPECT that your car has been dropped at least 1.5", and perhaps 2" or more, and that the isolator bushings (rubber parts meant to isolate the springs from the body) were deleted to make the car even lower. All these things make the car ride harsh and put the lower body panels at risk of striking the odd speed bump or curb.

Taking the car back to it original state is quite possible.

I would recommend you upload some digital pics of your car to your gallery or this thread so that we can see exactly what you have. Some body kits have hoods designed to mesh ONLY with their matching bumper covers, for instance, and it might be necessary to replace them both to get the car back to stock lines.

You can look at what my car looks like by clicking on my profile page and looking through my gallery.

[JustineRenee]

Originally Posted by tripleblack

Justine, welcome Home to AFM!

I moved your thread to the V6 Talk section where there are lots of folks with information.

I have a 2002 with essentially the same setup you describe, 18x9" on the front and 18x10" on the rear. Low profile tires definitely firm up the ride, and the wide tires and wheels will pick up more road feel.

I suspect your car has also been lowered a good deal.

It also sounds like you have one of the kits that is made from fiberglass, and yes, they will unfortunately shatter easily (high quality kits are now made from urethane, and are much tougher).

I would suggest you consider swapping in less aggressive springs first of all. FRPP (Ford Racing Performance Products) sells a number of springs that will raise up the car and soften the ride, though the look of the car will be different. I would recommend one of the spring sets with either a half inch or 3/4 inch drop overall. I SUSPECT that your car has been dropped at least 1.5", and perhaps 2" or more, and that the isolator bushings (rubber parts meant to isolate the springs from the body) were deleted to make the car even lower. All these things make the car ride harsh and put the lower body panels at risk of striking the odd speed bump or curb.

Taking the car back to it original state is quite possible.

I would recommend you upload some digital pics of your car to your gallery or this thread so that we can see exactly what you have. Some body kits have hoods designed to mesh ONLY with their matching bumper covers, for instance, and it might be necessary to replace them both to get the car back to stock lines.

You can look at what my car looks like by clicking on my profile page and looking through my gallery.

As far as i know right now, it was lowered 2 inches, and the body kit is a Black Widow, fiber glass.
I'll get pictures up as soon as i can.

I was thinking i could either get the same front end as i've got right now, and get new springs to raise it up the car, or find a new front end thats not so low??

[tripleblack]

Originally Posted by JustineRenee

As far as i know right now, it was lowered 2 inches, and the body kit is a Black Widow, fiber glass.
I'll get pictures up as soon as i can.

I was thinking i could either get the same front end as i've got right now, and get new springs to raise it up the car, or find a new front end thats not so low??

Yes, the Black Widow fiberglass kits were very popular - and inexpensive.

Try the www.mrbodykit.com link and look over their offerings in the way of urethane front bumper covers. AVOID any more fiberglass components for bumper covers or lower sill covers, etc. Fiberglass is fine for wings and hoods.

BEFORE fixing the body, swap in some taller springs. This will help the ride problems and the clearance issues as well. You may find that you can live with the same style front bumper (which does reduce clearance) and the low profile 18" tires.