Installing subframe connectors...
Installing subframe connectors took about 90 minutes from the time Marlon Mitchell started until we pulled off the rack. It took us longer than that to fix the door latch on the driver side.
'If you've been following the buildup of the CC '67 Mustang, then you know all about the Global West Suspension upgrades that up 'til now have included a hefty escalation in both front and rear spring rates, a set of gnarly tubular upper and lower control arms, a beefy sway bar, adjustable strut rods, and a bunch of other goodies. We also bolted on a Stainless Steel Brakes front disc-brake conversion, and we're well on our way to converting that lame 8-inch rear to a stronger 8.8 out of a donor '88 Fox-body Mustang. But even with all this work on the suspension, there is still something not quite right. That "something" is the thin sheetmetal floorpan connection between the front and rear suspension on a '67 Mustang. Early Mustangs are notorious for their lack of structural strength. Because we have plans to emulate the Jerry Titus Trans Am from 1967, it will include the ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound-Trans Am style. We knew that the thin floorpan connection between front and rear would have to be reinforced if we expected this car to come anywhere near corner-burner hero status.
Don't be surprised that Global West Suspension offers complete weld-in subframe connector kits for most early Mustangs, Falcons, and Rancheros, including our '67 Mustang. There's also an option with the Global West connectors: You can get a basic kit or rocker-rail support for both sides. We decided to start the installation with the tubular subframe connectors alone and follow up with the rocker-rail supports at a later date. Marlo's Frame & Alignment is in the nearby San Fernando Valley, so we limped our six-lunger over to the shop, where Marlon Mitchell had the experience to make this happen.
Bar Science
Global West's subframe connectors are constructed of robust 151/48-inch-diameter, 0.125-inch-wall thickness, drawn-over-mandrel (DOM) round tubing that is not only stronger than rectangular wall tubing but also lighter. The tubes are shipped powdercoated black so that they won't corrode. No frame or floorpan modifications are required, and all we had to do was slightly relocate a fuel line and bracket to make everything fit.
 The Global West connectors...  The Global West connectors are designed to tuck up against the floorpan as tightly as possible to maximize ground clearance. |  After driving the Mustang...  After driving the Mustang onto Mitchell's alignment rack, the first step was to use a sanding disc on a right-angle sander to clean off 40 years of crud from both the front and rear subframes where the connectors would sit in order to improve the quality of the welding. This also meant cleaning the powercoating off the subframes where the welding would take place. |  The instructions from Global...  The instructions from Global West indicate that the rear portion of the bar probably will not fit tight against the rear subframe, and the company supplies a weld-on cover for this as an additional gusset. Test-fitting will require adjusting back and forth between the front and rear for each bar to be installed properly. Don't rush through this step. Taking your time will allow for better installation. |
 Once the bar is exactly where...  Once the bar is exactly where you want it, it can be tack-welded in place front and rear. Double-check the position to ensure the bar is where it should be before final welding. This is a good time either to remove the carpeting or at least have a friend keep watch that the welding does not ignite the carpet or undercoating. Have a fire extinguisher handy during this entire installation. | | |