Suspension upgrades on 68 fury?

[Knebel]

What would you do if you could only do one?

Tubular upper control arms with better bushing and more adjustment range, a sway bar (front or rear? I know both would be best), a new steering gearbox, heavy duty tie rod linkage?

Let's just say we have $400 to throw at the suspension to improve handling. And assume that bushings and components are not worn. Or would you leave it and focus on other things?

 

[Turboomni]

If you don't have a front swaybar I would think that would be a good place to start. Good shocks too and go from there.

 

[Knebel]

Shocks are already there. Good idea about the front sway bar, I would lean toward that too but somewhat reserved since I would need to weld brackets on the frame and have no place To do that. My car feels a bit "loose" and I would be looking to tighten the suspension up a bit.

 

[Turboomni]

I would think there must be kits that would enable you to bolt on a swaybar. Have you checked ADDCO? I had a 69 Cutlass years ago and had a standard front swaybar and I added a bolt on rear swaybar from ADDCO the kit sorta boxed my trailing arms too and I was doing pretty good against some BMW's of the time. It is pretty astounding what a simple front swaybar will do on it's own.

 

[twostick]

Assuming quality shocks and suspension parts in good order, a big front bar, offset upper bushings if it doesn't have them already and a "good" alignment should give you the biggest bang for the buck and you will know it was worth it the first time you hustle it around a freeway on ramp.

Kevin

 

[Turboomni]

HERE::: There must be others by now. I owned a Lexus LS400 1997 and the ride was sublime but it leaned alot in corners but still handled well. The rear swaybar on the car was the diameter of my pinkie. I installed a 3/4 inch Addco rear sway bar and turned it into a German S class Mercedes handling wise.


Plymouth - Addco

Call them about your specific car . They have been around a long time.

 

[twostick]

I would think there must be kits that would enable you to bolt on a swaybar. Have you checked ADDCO? I had a 69 Cutlass years ago and had a standard front swaybar and I added a bolt on rear swaybar from ADDCO the kit sorta boxed my trailing arms too and I was doing pretty good against some BMW's of the time. It is pretty astounding what a simple front swaybar will do on it's own.

I read somewhere that you could cut down a mid 70's GM 1/2 ton bar to work on a C using modified original mounting points.

IIRC it was just over 1" maybe 1 1/16".

Kevin

 

[Turboomni]

My 69 Fury III came with a factory front sway bar that I think was an option as the original owner towed a camper with it in Utah. As I understand it it came with power drum police brakes if that is possible.

 

[twostick]

Or you could get completely carried away and modify your K-frame for a splined bar.

Splined front sway bar set up for Mopars | Corners Are Best - Handling Tech | Moparts Forums

Kevin

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Best thing I ever have done is urethane bushings for stock sway bar and for the end links. Also throw the stock alignment specs in the trash. Mopar Action (rip) published specs for alignments I'm sure someone can put them here. Basically 1/2° negative camber( top of tire leaning in) as much positive caster as you can get ( you might make 2-2 1/2° with stock parts) and approximately 1/16" toe in error on less than more. That and a sway bar firmly attached to chassis and your small block you should handle well.

 

[Knebel]

Man, should have done all that when I had a garage...

 

[Turboomni]

i THINK A BAR IS IN YOUR FUTURE!!

 

[Knebel]

Sounds like the general public says bar! Front bar? Gotta browse home depot then for some screw on diy brackets lol

 

[Turboomni]

 

[Mr C]

I think tubular control arms. That way I wouldn't have to spend a whole day struggling and cursing just to change the front shocks!

 

[saylor]

can confirm those alignment specs. had it that way ^^ and dude at the shop set it back to factory and now its floaty feeling again. bah.

 

[Knebel]

Floaty feeling, that describes it. Its like a boat, you have to aim ahead where you wanna go. And I already had it set to those alignment specs tooacouple years ago

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Floaty feeling, that describes it. Its like a boat, you have to aim ahead where you wanna go. And I already had it set to those alignment specs tooacouple years ago

You definitely need a bar if you don't have one.

 

[Knebel]

Getting some stuff sorted out before I can get a bar. Is that normal, that the front bushings on the strut rod look like that after 3 years? The driver's side was in pieces,I have now installed another set of Moog parts but does anyone know of a more durable bushing like poly? Or any poly bushings for the lower control arm and rear leaf spring shackles and such? The new bushings already got rid of a lot of noise and that boat feel where I had to aim where to go in advance.

 

[Zymurgy]

If all your front suspension components are up top par, I agree on the front sway bar. If you have a lot of slop in you steering I would definitely recommend rebuilding the power steering components.

This will blow your budget however, but it is a huge improvement on your handling.