Another widely overlooked aspect of
restoration work is that of steering and suspension upgrades that
have the potential to make your classic handle just as if it were
driven off the showroom floor. In this week’s installment of Hemming’s
Garage, Sam and Dennis take a look at how the folks at Total Control
Products can make your classic Mustang, Cougar, Falcon, Comet,
or Ranchero handle like new.
As we join Sam and Dennis, we spot a primo 1970 Mustang
Mach I on the lift. At this point, Sam begins to show how the
wear and tear of thirty years of driving can affect the steering
and suspension on a car, no matter how cautious or conscientious
the driver. Now thanks to the folks at Total Control Products
of Elk Grove, California, you can eliminate that “worn out feeling,”
as well as improve the handling and performance of your car.
Next, we turn to Dennis as he shows us one of the
many types of Rack and Pinion Steering Kits available from Total
Control Products. This bolt-on system has several key benefits
such as eliminating the “play” in the steering wheel, and it offers
a quicker turning response than the factory system. For example,
on our Mach I, the factory steering takes four turns to travel
from “lock-to-lock” whereas the TCP system only requires three
turns. Also, rest assured that a rack and pinion system from Total
Control would update your vehicle to today’s standards in steering
systems. The price for a manual rack system runs $1050.00, while
the power rack system costs $1599.00. By the way, all steering
kits include the necessary installation hardware.
Another upgrade available from the folks at Total
Control Products is a set of Strut Rod Kits for your classic Ford
or Mercury. This kit eliminates the deflection and binding found
in traditional rubber and polyurethane-bushed strut rods. Employing
a tubular steel shaft design and by using Kevlar rod ends at the
pivot point, Strut Rod Kits from Total Control Products provide
maximum durability and smooth precise operation to help your Ford
or Mercury safely meet a variety of driving conditions. Another
great aspect of these strut rods is that they won’t take a huge
bite out of your wallet as they run $239.00 per pair.
The final part of our upgrade to the Mach I consists
of replacing the original Upper Control Arms. Total Control Products
has seen fit to take care of this restoration task as well by
offering a replacement product that affords superior strength
and quality over factory control arms. These parts are fully adjustable
and the simple camber/caster adjustments without the use of shims
enables you to have full contact of the pivot shaft to shock tower
and allows absolute precision in making adjustments. Once again,
Kevlar rod ends are used for strength and they are self-cleaning
as well as self-lubricating. The precision construction of these
parts also affords smooth and precise operation with no binding.
The kit includes two Upper Control Arms, two replaceable Bolt-In
Ball Joints, and the necessary hardware and instructions. A pair
of these Upper Control Arms will set you back about $595.00.
If you desire to combine “Yesterday’s Classics and
Today’s Technology,” then let the folks at Total Control Products
help you. You can reach them by telephone at 916-685-1790, or
you can find them on the web at www.totalproducts.com.
Also, don’t forget, when it comes to questions about
these parts, or for any other parts for your restoration project,
check with us at www.myclassiccar.com,
and remember, when buying or selling anything automotive, look
to Hemming’s Motor News at www.hemmings.com.
Good luck and Happy Motoring!
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