Front coil springs

[don duick]

Does anybody know if the inner fender {where the shock absorber bolts on} needs to be reinforced to accept a coil spring. I think they are referred to as coil over shocks. If so is it as simple as changing to a tubular upper control arms and installing the coilovers?

[Dino]

Does anybody know if the inner fender {where the shock absorber bolts on} needs to be reinforced to accept a coil spring. I think they are referred to as coil over shocks. If so is it as simple as changing to a tubular upper control arms and installing the coilovers?

Without going out in the freezing garage, I don't think the shock towers are dual layered so I would definitely weld in a plate, kinda like how you beef up the chassis to install a seat belt.  Easy enough to do and better safe than sorry.  I can't help you with fitment issues though as I don't know if there's anything out there that would fit.   

[Cooter]

NOT designed to support the weight of car. Only the rebound of shocks.

No, it's not that easy. Must II however, is the  easiest swap.

[Mike DC]

  
The factory shock towers benefit from stiffening braces even WITHOUT front coilover shocks.


Same with the rear shock crossmember above the rear axle - it will eventually give out if you try to hold up the vehicle weight with it.  

[don duick]

thanks for the replies all makes sense I will go with the larger diameter torsion bars

[myk]

 
The factory shock towers benefit from stiffening braces even WITHOUT front coilover shocks.


Same with the rear shock crossmember above the rear axle - it will eventually give out if you try to hold up the vehicle weight with it.  

I've always pictured the shocks poking through the body because it looks so thin and flimsy there; what are these braces you mentioned?  Is there a 'tech article or something that explains this in detail?

[JB400]

XV motorsports has a setup

http://www.xvmotorsports.com/products/detail/index.cfm?nPID=18&cid=38&cdesc=B%2DBody%20Products


http://www.xvmotorsports.com/products/detail/index.cfm?nPID=299&cid=105&cdesc=Chassis%20Stiffening
The bracket on the frame rail is for their coil over conversion. The brace is at the top of the shock tower, which is what they're selling.

[Mike DC]

I've always pictured the shocks poking through the body because it looks so thin and flimsy there; what are these braces you mentioned?  Is there a 'tech article or something that explains this in detail?

The factory shock towers are stamped out of thicker metal than the inner fenderwell sheetmetal around them.  They're not a risk of the shock poking through.  The stiffening/bracing is more to keep those whole shock tower/fenderwell areas from wobbling on their feet like a couple of leaning tall buildings. 

Early mustangs are so notorious for this (tall buildings leaning problem) that after 40+ years they sometimes need their shock towers pulled entire inches outwards on a frame machine.  Like, just from long term street usage, not even abuse.  Mopar doesn't have this kind of major-league problem because the springs don't push on the towers, just the shocks.