Hello, never done this but husband just passed away and I bought, in great shape, 1978 Mustang ll and need to know do I just replace the shocks or, I don't believe they have them, do they have struts as well?
The mustangs use a modified Mcpherson Strut up front and shocks out back. So you will need both. I suggest taking the car to a good repair shop. IE one with you know the peolpe or have heard good things about. They will be able to replace them for you. Remember the car is over 30 years old and I suspect they will find more things to replace, like rubber bushings for instance. I would not do it yourself as it is labor intensive. Good luck and if you have any more questions, you know where to find us.
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1979 Mustang Ghia-302 HO @ 300hp, holley 600 carb, edlebrock intake, under drive pulleys, Bullet proof C4, 8.8 inch rear end with 3.55, Flowmasters Delta 40s American Thunder 2, pioneer head unit with sony speakers.
2004 Mustang Mach 1-281 DOHC @ 305HP, Shaker, 5 speed, 8.8 rear end with 3.55, Mach 460, Sat radio, Flowmaster Delta 50s, Clear Bright Fog lights, alum items for interior dress up, and an eject button.
79 stangghia, this is a Mustang II forum, if you don't know what you are talking about, DON'T GIVE ADVICE. Your 79 Mustang is a Fox and not a Mustang II !. The Mustang II was ONLY produced from 74 thru 78... Not 79.
The 74-78 Mustang II does not have modified struts or share ANY parts with the 79 and later Mustangs.
All 74-78 Mustang II's have a simple shock absorber at all 4 corners front and rear....
Stang II, All MUSTANGS use a modified Mcpherson (sp) strut up front, 64-2010. Check it. Plus my advice was valid, go to a garage that knows what its doing to get the correct parts. Just because I have a 79 does not mean I am completely ignorant. I will admit that I have done more knowledge on the fox bodies. However I have worked with my cousins Cobra II and the 79s driveline was a carry over from 78. I am pretty sure that 2s use leafsprings in the rear but still needs shocks. Dont be to quick to judge, just because of a name.
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1979 Mustang Ghia-302 HO @ 300hp, holley 600 carb, edlebrock intake, under drive pulleys, Bullet proof C4, 8.8 inch rear end with 3.55, Flowmasters Delta 40s American Thunder 2, pioneer head unit with sony speakers.
2004 Mustang Mach 1-281 DOHC @ 305HP, Shaker, 5 speed, 8.8 rear end with 3.55, Mach 460, Sat radio, Flowmaster Delta 50s, Clear Bright Fog lights, alum items for interior dress up, and an eject button.
Yes, Mustang II's use leaf springs in the rear with staggered shocks.
The first photo of what you have described as a modified McPhearson Strut, notice the strut is outside of the spring, twice as long as any shock absorber and connects to a strut perch within the strut tower, and is usually adjustable from inside the engine compartment for alignment purposes.
The second is a photo of a stock 74-78 Mustang II suspension showing the shock inside the spring, no adjustment of the shock for alignment purposes. A whole different system. Thats why Ford made it this way to save space and weight, it is also the most desired system for classics and hotrods.
The third photo is of my 77 Mustang II coil over system, lighter yet, and infinately adjustable.
You probably should take another look at your friends Mustang II.
Really 79 stangghia, ALL Mustangs from 64-2010 use a modified Mcpherson strut? Of all the Mustangs I've ever owned (12 and counting), the only ones that have ever had struts were the Fairmont based Foxes on up, and I've owned 6 of these. 1978 and earlier were only equipped with shock absorbers. I'm too old to get into a pi$$ing contest with you but you'd be all wet if we did.
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Rob
There's less Pinto in mine, than Falcon in yours...
Mustang II have what ford described as a toilet seat which are strut rod brackets that are tied to the frame, the strut rods go from these brackets to the lower control arms. where the two ends of the strut rod brackets tie into the strut rods they are held together by a strut rod crossmember thus creating the (toilet seat look). So not only is the mustang II different in this regard, but the shocks are sell contained inside the springs and held inbetween the upper and lower control arms and are not tied to the inner fenders via strut towers, thats why they call it an INDEPENDENT front end. Ask any hot rodder about II FRONT ENDS.
The MacPherson strut is a type of carsuspension system which uses the axis of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot, widely used in modern vehicles
According to this definition all of the pictures are modified MacPherson strut systems. The detail is in the placement of the strut and the spring. So if we are all done gripping, lets get back to main point of this thread, helping out maries personal.
So what type of struts/shocks would you suggest Mustang II? I know edlebrock makes lots of good parts. Any takers?
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1979 Mustang Ghia-302 HO @ 300hp, holley 600 carb, edlebrock intake, under drive pulleys, Bullet proof C4, 8.8 inch rear end with 3.55, Flowmasters Delta 40s American Thunder 2, pioneer head unit with sony speakers.
2004 Mustang Mach 1-281 DOHC @ 305HP, Shaker, 5 speed, 8.8 rear end with 3.55, Mach 460, Sat radio, Flowmaster Delta 50s, Clear Bright Fog lights, alum items for interior dress up, and an eject button.
The MacPherson strut is a type of carsuspension system which uses the axis of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot, widely used in modern vehicles
The upper steering pivot on a 1978 mustang is an upper ball joint - not the top of the telescoping damper. I have owned my 1978 mustang II since 1989. I have changed them. I have a degree in mechanical engineering. You're wrong. Don't make me mail you an upper ball joint. or a front shock absorber.
the upper ball joint is
SPICER/RAYBESTOS Part # 5001018B
MOOG Part # K8212
ACDELCO Part # 45D0018
the front Shock is available as:
MONROE Part # 32118
KYB Part # 343134 {GR-2}
the KYB shock would be my choice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 79stangghia
According to this definition all of the pictures are modified MacPherson strut systems. The detail is in the placement of the strut and the spring. So if we are all done gripping, lets get back to main point of this thread, helping out maries personal.
You are incorrect on both accounts - and I'm done griping... as long as you're willing to admit that it's a shock absorber and that it can be changed without separating the spindle from the upper or lower ball joint we can proceed safely. poor instructions could result in the captive spring ejecting and injuring the enthusiast.
Not cool. - Safety is #1.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 79stangghia
So what type of struts/shocks would you suggest Mustang II? I know edlebrock makes lots of good parts. Any takers?
I'd defer to Roystere.. he's got tons of experience.
The furthest flung friend I've helped was in Norway. I've only worked on 15 or so of these and given advice on close to 100 if i actually counted them all up.
Kind regards,
John Johnson
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Last edited by JudisStang; 04-10-2009 at 06:08 AM.
Reason: Unauth advertising
The MacPherson strut is a type of carsuspension system which uses the axis of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot, widely used in modern vehicles
The Mustang II front suspension uses the upper ball joint as the upper steering pivot. it is available under the following part numers:
Upper ball joint:
SPICER/RAYBESTOS Part # 5001018B
MEVOTECH Part # AXK8212
MOOG Part # K8212
the front shock absorber is available under part #s
MONROE Part # 32118
KYB Part # 343134 {GR-2}
i like the KYB shocks but i'd defer to Rob, Barry or Tony - Hey guys.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 79stangghia
According to this definition all of the pictures are modified MacPherson strut systems. The detail is in the placement of the strut and the spring. So if we are all done gripping, lets get back to main point of this thread, helping out maries personal.
I'd be more than happy to quit griping as soon as you admit that you are wholly incorrect. Incorrect or incomplete instructions can cause serious problems and possibly eject the captive spring. Safety Is the #1 concern here.
My name is John. I bought my mustang II in 1989, and have changed the shocks twice. I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I am a senior member of another club with over 1600 posts. I have worked on 10-12 of these and offered advice on over 100 mustang II projects. T-top coupe owns probably about 12 of these and roystere is known for tech prowess.
Stang II knows his stuff when it comes to these cars. I have only ever questioned him once about the air flow on his cowl hood. He performed an air-flow test to prove he was right. It caught me off guard.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 79stangghia
So what type of struts/shocks would you suggest Mustang II? I know edlebrock makes lots of good parts. Any takers?
I would try the KYB if available or look for a QA-1 shock.
these are easy shocks to change.
Front:
spray the bottom bolt with PB blaster.
then drive around normally for 2 days.
rent a small air compressor and an air chisel with a blade tip and a punch tip.
undo the bottom bolt, use the air chisel to drive it out, or cut it off if it doesn't come out peacefully.
break off the top bolt with a deep socket on a 3/8 drive ratchet and a snipe.
drop the shock out of the bottom of the lower control arm.
assemble the bushings, slip the new shock up through the lower control arm and do up the top nut.
put a new bolt in the bottom if the old one is damaged.
tighten the bottom bolt.
1974 thru 1978 Mustangs NEVER had a struts...PERIOD! They only have shocks....I have been working on them for twenty years and NEVER seen a McPhearson strut on a MII.....Hey Rob your right he'd be all wet!
Mustang IIs did not, and barring any radical modifications from an adventurous owner, do not, use MacPherson, or any other form of strut on their suspensions.
As far as to what brand to go with, I tend to stick with Monroe Gasmatic or Gabriel Red Ryder (what Gabriel now calls the "Gabriel Classic") for my older cars that aren't being modified for handling beyond what's needed on the street. Edelbrock makes shocks to fit the Mustang II independent front suspension, but they are designed for hot rods that are significantly lighter in the front end (such as 30s Fords and Chevys) that just happen to have Mustang II or Mustang II-style front suspensions slapped under them. While they will fit, I'm not sure how well they're suited to usage in a full-fendered automobile.
As for the "pissing contest" it stops now, and this thread is locked pending further review.
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1976 Ford Mustang II Ghia: 302 with a 600cfm Edelbrock carb, Edelbrock Performer 289 intake, Dynomax Blackjack headers, 2.5" exhaust with Flowmaster Super 44s. RJS 11-gallon fuel cell, C4 tranny, chrome 16" pony wheels, fuzzy dice, brown vinyl half-top, and painted in the tackiest color ever (harvest gold, that's why I call it "The Goldenrod").
Also have a 2003 Dodge Ram (lightly modded daily driver/tow rig/office/dining room/home away from home/workshop... I call it "The Big Blue Dawg".)
1978 Mustang ll shocks question. 
FRONT ENDS.
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