A little more stiffness underneath one of our 64.5-68 Mustang builds
Posted by Restomotive@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 45 comments
Wanted to share another detail from one of our current Mustang projects.
This setup adds extra underbody bracing to a 1964.5-1968 Mustang Fastback/Coupe. The goal was to add some stiffness underneath, reduce flex in the floor structure, and help the car feel a bit more stable and precise.
It’s built from S355 structural steel and mounts to the factory points, so the car keeps its original structure without modifying the original bodywork.
Would you guys keep the underside mostly stock, or add bracing where it actually makes a difference?
PumpedGuySerge@reddit
hell yeah dude id carry a mirror on a stick to show it off
Restomotive@reddit (OP)
Haha, not a bad idea honestly. :D
thenewtomsawyer@reddit
Yeah you're the one guy at the car show thats allowed to have a bunch of $10 mirrors from home goods under their car.
jeepfail@reddit
And here I thought it was only college girls and house wives with shopping addictions buying stuff like that at my wife’s store. The more you know.
BoltMyBackToHappy@reddit
New Mod Mustang trend incoming?
Restomotive@reddit (OP)
Restomotive@reddit (OP)
hahah :D
ItsTheTraveler@reddit
Behold my butthole inspector
torino42@reddit
What's that say under the RST logo? Is this a photograph, or a concept?
RecentRegal@reddit
Looks like “motive” with some awful ai photo processing messing it up.
jeepfail@reddit
I think that’s just an excess of paint or powder coating in the M.
RecentRegal@reddit
In picture 3? It says “ARtTNE”
jeepfail@reddit
I was looking at 6, you are correct it would seem unless they partially cleaned paint out for one picture which would be even stranger than using an auto filter.
Tibi1411@reddit
Best ad i've seen in years
evileagle@reddit
Was gonna say, nice work, but a lot of people in here missing that this is a shop that builds these for customers.
Tibi1411@reddit
What is wrong with that?
evileagle@reddit
Nothing. They're just asking questions like it's a guy in his garage. Not really the "project car" sub ethos, but not a problem necessarily.
PM_ME_canadian_meese@reddit
I know many will downvote this, but that will add very little for chassis stiffness. The very end of the front floor support is not a good connection point and not really part of the front subframe. Look at subframe connectors from Maier racing, they go all the way up towards the engine with several connection points. Secondly, it appears it is being bolted on, this will simply not hold up long on the side of the car chassis. In general subframe connectors are not the ideal choice for this chassis (granted done correctly they still help quite a bit). For best chassis stiffness short of adding a rollcage convertible inner rockers do the best, the connect the front and rear torque boxes. I will say the craftsmanship looks great, but this will not add anything but extra weight to the car without welding and their length extended going much further along the subframe area with multiple connection points, especially on the front.
FreeMoCo2009@reddit
Hot damn that craftsmanship tho… Wish I could do that in my garage at home 🥺
ssatyr01@reddit
Now I want/need one for my Falcon!
Independent-Virus-54@reddit
The bottom of this mustang looks expensive
obviousdud@reddit
This is what i need to do to my first gen camaro. Looks awesome.
vipercrazy@reddit
What mufflers are those?
boosted-tn@reddit
Do you sell these?
BoysenberryFinal9113@reddit
That's a beautiful undercarriage.
I'm bracing for the "that's what she said" jokes.
JazzlikeLeather9546@reddit
Very Nice. I built a weld in setup to my 68 Fairlane two years ago. Such a HUGE difference! Just tying the Front end to the rear of the car was incredible. the doors came up about 3/8th of an inch at the quarters and all the body lines match now. Once it was all done it drove completely different in a good way. I did a full bearing Open tracker kit on the front end. With Four wheel disc's this thing rides and turns like a new car. I do not mean a new 60s car I mean like a new 2000s car!
Best upgrades so far...beside the 800hp TT small block ;)
Boilermakingdude@reddit
Considering it utilizes stock mounts, that's incredible
scootunit@reddit
Stop! I can only get so stiff!
Radiant-Security-347@reddit
I wish that was possible on a 63-69 Corvette. the body is sunk into the frame so no room for that type of rig. I was able to reinforce but not to the level of your solution.
FiddlerOnThePotato@reddit
Looks cleaner in the undercarriage than my car, and it's from 2016. Just gorgeous. These have always been my favorite Mustangs. It feels cliche to call the first gen of the car "classic" but that's what it is to me. It's also more understated and less aggressively sporty looking than the 69/70s mustangs. I love those too but that first body style is just so perfect.
BahnGSXR@reddit
That's art, Mr White
Restomotive@reddit (OP)
Haha, we’ll take that. Thanks!
69with_Mydad@reddit
I have a 2nd gen FBody I’m restoring. I bought a complete torque arm kit with subframe connectors. Did you notice any improvement in ride quality and cornering from just the connectors?
Kootsiak@reddit
I haven't done it with an old F-Body, but I did with 80's and 90's Honda's, and chassis stiffening is one of the first things I would do with an old unibody car, especially one making any real torque.
It can make a difference even climbing a curb to pull into a driveway or driving over cracks in the pavement, not just when cornering hard.
Modern day cars are much stiffer than they used to be. My Chevy Sonic is nothing fancy, but it's chassis is stiffer from the factory than my '97 Civic was with a bunch of aftermarket braces (including a trailer hitch purely for extra stiffening).
WickPrickSchlub@reddit
Subframe connectors in an FBody should be required, I'd put them on before I put gas in the car. Single best Fbody purchase, and it ain't even close.
juwyro@reddit
That should be a requirement on any old unibody car. I want chassis stiffening for my MGB but there is none around.
diverdude_87@reddit
Any way to get one for a '74 Duster? Lol. Looks good under there.
Restomotive@reddit (OP)
Unfortunately not for now - at the moment we’re working only on Mustangs. Appreciate it though.
navlgazer9@reddit
Nice !
Now share some info About the mufflers and cutouts
Natedoggsk8@reddit
A little?!?
Restomotive@reddit (OP)
Haha, yeah… maybe that was an understatement.
Assistant_Norman@reddit
Nice project.
Restomotive@reddit (OP)
thanks, dude!
Vast_Builder1670@reddit
What is your goal? This is my dream for the future. Stiffer 60s mustang with maybe a 4 link on the rear.
I was close to buying one, but bought a cheaper project instead. Retiring from the military in a few years, two kids in daycare, and looking at moving overseas. Couldn't justify it.
Restomotive@reddit (OP)
That sounds like a great plan. For us, the goal is to make the car feel stiffer and more precise underneath, while still keeping that classic Mustang character.
And yeah, totally get it - sometimes the timing just isn’t there. Hope you get to build the one you really want down the road.