Falcon - Granada conversion

[gearhed1971]

This is the info that I got from a guy who has done 4 or 5 conversions-Ian,

Yes it should be there. I tried the V8 install without one in 72 and the frame started to spread. So it is needed for support. The first one my Dad made while I was in service. It was basically rebar with threaded rod on the ends that he made a hook from flat stock to clamp on the outside of the framerails flange. That worked quite well. This time around, I am using the one like Falcon Enterprises sells.

Terry L. Rahn

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61 2 Dr Wagon
61 Futura
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[yank with ute]

Various resons why Ford didn't install the lower cross brace on the 63-65 Falcons:

Ford U.S. was still learning about unibody construction. There only experience came from the British Fords which had only had unibodies for about 8 years.

The cost. Think perhaps $5 per car times tyhe number of V-8 Falcons built in North America.

The thought that no one in North America would drive a Falcon "hard". The U.S. had mostly paved roads, Canada and Australia/New Zealand didn't. Aussie and NZ Falcons had cross members.

No one gave thought to the fact people would still be driving unibody Falcons 40 + years later! Even the today's well-preserved Falc's aren't as strong as they were when new.

But Ford has learned a lesson, notice the upper and lower cross members used in the new, hot Mustangs? Their effort is worth duplicating on old Falcons.

[Bambam]

Hey Peps i just got a 65 4 door ...thanks for the instruction manual itll make life much easier just wondering if there is a power steering box that one could use instead of the power assisted ram set up you have

[Diehardfordfan]

Wondering why granada rear instead of maverick, since maverick is narrower and there is no room to spare on one of these cars? My car has granada spindles in front but maverick rear and I can fit a decent tire on the car. Great info you are providing though, keep up the good work.

[yank with ute]

Diehard, some people insist on making it hard on themselves. Other people take the time to find the narrower Maverick rear axle.

I'd rather take the time to find the costlier Maverick axle then wait until I tried to put wheel under the rear and find out the tires hit the inner wheel well unless the wheel has negative offset (UGLY!).

Okay, so I am sitting on two Maverick rear axles that I got for less then $50 WITHOUT LOOKING FOR THOSE ITEMS. Even a blind squirrel sometimes...

[sabrecustom]

Well Yank, any chance you'd want to give up one of those rear axles?
I'm lookin for a rear end for my '61. I don't know much about mavericks cause I havent done the research. I was told there arent many around.

[gearhed1971]

Will a 65or 66 mustang rear bolt into a "63 falcon?

[yank with ute]

Originally Posted by gearhed1971

Will a 65or 66 mustang rear bolt into a "63 falcon?

The early Mustang was built from many parts originally designed for the Falcon, the rear axle is one of the parts.

The 63 Falcon's spring leaves are narrower (crosswise) then the 64-65 Falcon and 64 - 66 Mustang but the axle overall length and spring pad placement are identical to the Falcon.

You CAN NOT use Falcon 6 U bolts and retainer plates on the Mustang V-8 rear axle!

Some people locate 63 Falcon rear spring plates (retainers) others use Mustang parts and ignore the 1/4" space between the Falcon spring and U bolt.

Note: The 64-65 Falcon had the exact same spring as the early Mustang but other then the 63 convert and some hardtops the later spring WILL NOT fit the earlier Falcon without some modification/fabrication (it can be done but it is not a "bolt-in")

63-65 Falcon V-8 rear axles tend to neck down at the ends (smaller bearings then Mustang) while Mustang axles tend to have straight axle housings.



And for people who are asking if I will sell my Maverick rear axles: The two units I have are holding up the rear ends of my 60 and 64 Falcon, read between the lines.

[Rick_101]

Most informative and very interesting.

[ED79STANG]

Look cool ! I love projects like that. The granada looks like the one my sister had in the seventies. They were all generic . Enjoy the build!