Is this a convertible brace and should I get subframe connectors?

kas_lar

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I’d like to know more about what to do with my Mustang.
  1. Is it correct that the brace highlighted in yellow is a necessary brace for stiffening the convertible? (I'd like to lower my convertible but the brace would be dragging everywhere)
  2. I’m not planning to race or drag my car, but I would like to stiffen the ride. I’m currently replacing all the bushings in the front, installing new shocks (original springs), and planning to upgrade the lower and upper rear control arms and install polyurethane bushings in the rear axle.
Would you recommend subframe connectors, or would that be overkill?
  1. I’m still learning where it’s safe to jack up the car. Would it be alright to use the long bar highlighted in yellow in the picture?
Thanks for all your help and knowledge!IMG_5752.jpegIMG_5757.jpeg
 

Wood's 5.0

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Yes, that's the brace and yes I always recommend Subframe connectors
Second on above. If you can't do but ONE thing to your car - install subframe connectors. Kenny Brown used to make jacking rails that would allow you to lift the car from anywhere on the side. The link below is a good place to start formulating a support plan.

 
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kas_lar

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Thanks for helping a noob out!

  1. Okay, I tried installing lowering springs (wrong kind, but I had to try), and the brace ended up being the lowest part of the car. I’m back to stock springs now, and I’m sticking with that height. I understand that the brace is necessary, which brings me to my next point:
  2. I’ll look into getting a set of subframe connectors to keep the car stiffer. I love my new car, but I really hate the 'boat' feeling I sometimes get. I’m changing shocks and bushings now, but I’ll add subframe connectors to the list.
 

Mustang5L5

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If you want to lower the car, look into the Eibach pro-kit. It has probably the least drop of any lowering spring. I have them on my convertible and have plenty of clearance from that brace to the ground. When we had our roads dug up, i was straddling raised manhole covers without an issue.

As for subframe connector. Ford equipped 99+ convertibles with bolt on units stock. Same ones that came on the 03/04 cobras. While weld-on units will be better, the OE ones aren't bad. I'm actually impressed with how stiff my convertible is.

I don't think the "boat" feeling will be solved totally by getting subframes. WHen i had stock springs/shocks on my car, it definitely felt floaty. That didn't go away until i threw on the Eibach springs and bilstiens. No other changes and it made the car feel much more stable.
 
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kas_lar

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Wow, Mustang 5L5! You address quite a few issues I’m having with my car. I was considering the Eibach Pro-kit, but the budget isn’t there right now. I’ve installed brand-new Koni STR shocks, and I’m working on replacing the bushings. I really appreciate your story about the road conditions—I wouldn’t want my car to become undrivable.

The selection of subframe connectors in Europe isn’t great, but I’ve found a cheap bolt-on option:

Ebay...

Thanks also for mentioning the 'boat' problem. I think some of my bushings are pretty worn out right now, but it might also just be similar to what you experienced with your car.
 

Mustang5L5

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I failed to mention i replaced control arms and other parts as well. But my car was 100% original and felt very floaty and unstable.

Eibach pro-kit, bilstiens, new front Moog LCA's, new steering rack bushings, New sway bar end links. and a few other odds and ends. Really tightened the car up.

I'll be doing rear control arms this winter, but the front control arms on my car were gone with 68K miles on the car.
 
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kas_lar

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That’s funny—I’ve replaced the front ball joints, tie rods and ends, and sway bar bushings, but I haven’t changed the sway bar itself. As I mentioned, the shocks have been replaced with new isolators, but the original springs are still there.

Lower and upper rear control arms, axle bushings, and new rear shocks are being shipped right now. I’m considering replacing the quad shocks, but I’m not sure how much of a difference they’ll make.

It sounds like you’re recommending replacing the stock springs, so I’ll have to save up a bit for that. Thanks for sharing your experience!
 

b1pig

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I am still on basically stock suspension on my car.
New shocks in the rear made a HUGE improvement in ride quality. I stilll need new struts up front. The front end still floats a bit while the rear is much more firm. As low as my car rides as is, I am not going down the lowering route. For now, anyway.
 

MachSVT

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That's the 1st time I've seen the convertable brace. It appears from design it's intent is to reduce cowl shake.

After driving my car before / after Stifflers subframe connectors (fit system), it should be the 1st modification if anyone plans on suspension mods for spirited driving.

My car had the factory bolt on subframe connectors (Mach 1). While I'm sure they are better than nothing, there is no comparison to weld in connectors.
 
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kas_lar

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That's the 1st time I've seen the convertable brace. It appears from design it's intent is to reduce cowl shake.

After driving my car before / after Stifflers subframe connectors (fit system), it should be the 1st modification if anyone plans on suspension mods for spirited driving.

My car had the factory bolt on subframe connectors (Mach 1). While I'm sure they are better than nothing, there is no comparison to weld in connectors.
Yeah I'm planing to get subframe connection and I'm looking on ebay (because of better shipping to europe) and there is alot of knock-offs. I guess it's all just iron:)
 

badass98svt

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Yeah I'm planing to get subframe connection and I'm looking on ebay (because of better shipping to europe) and there is alot of knock-offs. I guess it's all just iron:)

I'd be leary of poor welds. Stick with something brand name at least if you can. MM is a great choice (as always)
 

Mustang5L5

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I love my Max Motorsports SFC's. Welded them on myself and was pretty easy to do (well, easy if you can weld). But it's really nice to put a jack under them and the entire side of the car picks up. Been thinking of adding the stiflers web bracing and jacking rails but I think it might be overkill and not worth the added weight. My car is pretty stiff.

I will say though, i've been very impressed at how "stiff" my '00 convertible is with the stock bolt-on braces. Now i know that weld on SFC's will be much better, but the few times i've jacked the car up from one corner it has lifted the wheel on the same side. Not as much of a wet noodle as I thought it would be and I can still open the door and shut it. Might have to do with my car being lower miles as well. For this reason I probably won't be welding on a set of MMs and just leave it as is.
 

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