Frame Differences?

jidi · Post by **jidi** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 9:19 pm

Question for the experts.

From what I have heard, the 67 Thunderbird used the basically same front suspension as the 66, as I've been told that a nice disc brake changeover for my 63 would be to use the spindles, etc along with the lower control arms from a 65-67.
What I am wondering, are there many differences between the 67 and 68-9 Thunderbird suspension and frame? Would the 68-9 control arms, spindles etc bolt up to a 67?

I sure wish it wasn't so cold and I didn't have so much snow here-I get to thinking about "what if??"- I've started about 20 projects in my head, I need to get one done!

Jim

tbird · Post by **tbird** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:58 pm

The disc brake calipers and rotors are different after 67 so you would be looking for 65-67 parts to do the swap. What is your location I would likely have the parts you need but way to clod here to take them off right now.

jidi · Post by **jidi** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 1:05 am

Thank you!
I guess the thing I was wondering is what differences there were between the 67 and the 68-9 were. Looks like they don't interchange. I figured that with the full frame in 67, that the 68 up would be the same. Guess I figured wrong-again!
I'm in Iowa-way too cold to worry about it now! When it warms up some, I'll be a little more motivated!!

Thanks
Jim

tbirdjohn · Post by **tbirdjohn** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 2:06 pm

Actually, the front ends of the '66 and '67 were entirely different. The '66's have the "tower mounted" coil springs like a Mustang. The '67's - 71's (and later) had a full perimeter frame which allowed the upper and lower control arms to be mounted just like the Galaxy/LTD. In fact, the suspension pieces from any full size Ford of this era will pretty much bolt right in place. HOWEVER, the disc brake story is a bit different. The '67's had the '65 & '66 4-piston calipers fitted onto the new spindles. In 1968 Ford went to the more simplified single-piston caliper which most of the industry was moving toward. I learned the hard way by getting a pair of '68 calipers and trying to put them on my '67. You can pretty much use any '65-'67 calipers and they will fit.

tbird · Post by **tbird** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 9:59 pm

Kind of what I said a couple of years ago.