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Do your doors move on rough roads?

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Tim_

Tim_

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An RHD Mustang. Now that's a must see!! Good that some folks in the UK enjoy American muscle.
Ford really hit the nail on the head with a RHD version of the S550 Mustang. There are a lot of people in the UK who always wanted a Mustang and this move took away every excuse for not importing one and getting it converted to meet UK regs (we can still run LHD cars over here but they need conversion to lights etc plus government single type approval and letters from owners clubs to jump through the hoops. After that lot parts back up and time consuming spannering is either DIY or take it to one of only a small handful of relatable specialists which for most are at least few hours drive away)

Iā€™ve always wanted one but having the time and money to keep an imported one has been a luxury. As it stands I can run my S550 V8 every single day of the year and it costs less to service than my Ford Focus ST used to and only consumes 2mpg more.

Theyā€™re still a rare sight in the UK and those who buy them are enthusiasts so thereā€™s always the friendly wave, those who donā€™t have one know what it is including my 90 year old neighbour who said it makes her day looking out the window at it parked on my drive. Itā€™s one of the very few cars in the UK which attracts mostly positive attention.
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Tim_

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Are you thinking of the aftermarket brace? I donā€™t think Ford make one...


thanks for the pictures Tim!

I see this brace, but this is not the K brace I was expecting.

This V brace is standard in our PP but what I was looking for is the K brace which is located below the headers shaped like a K (see Steeda K Brace). I guess it is not even standard in USA cars with PP.

I am thinking in getting this Steeda or BMR K brace to complete the install in conjunction with the upper Strut Tower brace from FPerformance. Thought you had the first one installed. Is it on your plans after the FPerformance one?
 

pardoneo

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Are you thinking of the aftermarket brace? I donā€™t think Ford make one...
Correct, Ford only makes the upper one.

I am thinking of buying the lower K brace from Steeda or BMR. It is not a replacement for the V one you are describing.

why did you finally did not pull the trigger on the lower K brace?
 

Copperhead73

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I installed the Steeda G Trac brace on mine, but am not a good tester because I didn't really do anything to notice much flex before the install. I also did J&M Jacking rails.

It feels stiffer than my old 04 Cobra Coupe, but drawing from 10 year old memories.

I can open and close the doors easily with the car on jackstands, though. I couldn't do the same with the Cobra Coupe.
 
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Tim_

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Correct, Ford only makes the upper one.

I am thinking of buying the lower K brace from Steeda or BMR. It is not a replacement for the V one you are describing.

why did you finally did not pull the trigger on the lower K brace?
Iā€™m doing one at time to see the differences, Iā€™ll get round to it.
 

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Tim_

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I installed the Steeda G Trac brace on mine, but am not a good tester because I didn't really do anything to notice much flex before the install. I also did J&M Jacking rails.

It feels stiffer than my old 04 Cobra Coupe, but drawing from 10 year old memories.

I can open and close the doors easily with the car on jackstands, though. I couldn't do the same with the Cobra Coupe.
:shock:
 

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Hi Tim, Any further updates on your flex issue?
 
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Hi Tim, Any further updates on your flex issue?
Yes. When my roof was finally being fixed I fitted the Ford performance cross brace and the steeda jacking rails. I also had Michelin Pilot Sport 4s fitted prior to the braces and noticed improvements to the small bump and vibration ride quality just from the tyres, this reduced the road input into the suspension and body.

what inputs did make it through were larger ones and I found the strut brace and jacking rails helped noticeably. Scuttle shake is reduced a lot, even the rear view mirror and interior rattles are less which makes longer journey and interior longevity improved. Door movement on rough roads is still there but much reduced. Compared to my three other tin top cars the Mustang is now much closer. Turn in and suspension movements are improved, it feels like the suspension is working more and the body is flexing less.

next step is the lower brace, I donā€™t track my car but reports from this element are good. For now as a road car mine is much improved and more enjoyable to drive, I wouldnā€˜t ever own one without the tyre, cross brace and jacking rails. Iā€™ve no immediate plans for the lower brace as Iā€™ve only done 1,300 miles in the last year thanks to covid.
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