So after several weeks of torturous research (def: dreaming of spending money that I don't have), I've at least consistently invisioned the '69 Coupe, henceforth known as Jamie, with lowered suspension. I'm not of a mind to think it could actually be "too low", and the tools are out there in abundance for lowering. Except that they're all for small-blocks, and I'm running a 390. Laurel Mountain Mustang, I believe, has a warning to "call for all big block applications" in their suspension kits. National Parts Depot, however, has something specifically for not only a big-block, but a 390. The downside of that is that NPD doesn't sell as complete of kits as Mustangs Plus does. The Mustangs Plus kits are nice, and priced nicely for the packaging.

But the packaging altogether is expensive. Amy already hates the car, dumping a couple thousand dollars at one time (on something she can't even SEE, at that) is not the way to endear her toward it more. So, for the sake of my marriage, I'll be taking the rebuild in small, cheap, projects.

The worst right now, and the easiest to isolate into a nice, compact (and CHEAP!) project, would be the rear suspension. That would entail (2) leaf springs, (2) polyurethane shackle sets, (2) front eye polyurethane bushing sets, (2) leaf spring front eye bolts, (4) U-bolts, (2) rear shocks, and (1) rear sway bar assembly.

Let's price that out...

The major decision point here is the leaf spring. 4-leaf is stock, but 4 1/2- and 5-leaf springs are available, and I'm not sure exactly how stiff I want the rear. Dovetailing from that, how do I buy shocks for a stiffer leaf spring? Should I go with what I've heard referred to as "kill your back" KYB Gas-A-Just high-pressure shocks (M+ for $129.95), or the lower-pressure KYB GR-2 (NBT for $87.80)? And if I go with the softer ride, are they even going to do anything with, say, a 5-leaf spring? I definitely need to throw that out on the Stangnet, 69stang, and vintage-mustang forums. I could splurge a bit and go with an adjustable shock so I can change my mind about it without having to repurchase new shocks. Mustangs Plus has a set of Doetsch Tech Adjustable Shocks for $184.95. Laurel Mountain Mustang apparently has a full set of Koni Classics for $478.95. Decisions, decisions.

No, not really. I'm afraid *sigh* it's got to be the Konis. Well, eventually. To keep things reasonable in the pricing department, I think I will go with the Gas-A-Just for now. At $130 for all four corners, that's not too much of an investment to have replaced down the road when I've gotten some of the other major restoration work out of the way.

Cost: $129.95 (KYB Gas-A-Just Shocks, set of 4)(M+)

Which brings us back to leaf springs. Eaton Detroit Springs, Inc. produces a line of springs based off of 32 Ford blueprints for a plethora of applications, at NPD for $184.00/pair and $30.00 shipping for the pair. Using the chart in the NPD catalog, the spring for a 1969 Coupe with a 390 is identified as a "GT Option." There is an available special 1" lowering spring, and a competition model available at that (NPD Catalog Part #5560-55).

Cost: $214.00 (Eaton Detroit Springs, Inc. 1969 390 Coupe Competition Leaf Springs )(NPD)

Now, to mount them on. I have a feeling this will add up quickly. We'll need (1) polyurethane shackle, (2) U-bolts, (1) leaf spring seat, (1) front eye bushing kit, and (1) new front eye bolt. NPD comes in for the bargain again, with a Polyurethane Shackle Kit (Pair) (NPD Catalog Part #5630-1B) for $42.95, a Polyurethane Front Leaf Spring Eye Bushing (Set 4) (NPD Catalog Part #5781-01A) for $18.50, a Polyurethane Shock Bushing Kit (Rear, set of 8) for $16.95 (NPD Catalog Part #18198-2A), Leaf Spring Eye Bolts (2 each) (NPD Catalog Part #5741-2A) for $26.50 (2 each), U-bolts (4 each) (NPD Catalog Part #5705-2A) for $14.00 (4 each), Leaf Spring Anti-squeak Pads (4 each) (NPD Catalog Part #5586-1) for $5.40 (4 each), and a 3/4" Rear Sway Bar Kit with Polyurethane bushings (1 each) (NPD Catalog Part #5A772-6A)for $91.95.

Cost: $42.95 (Pair of Polyurethane Shackles)(NPD)
Cost: $18.50 (Pair of Polyurethane Front Eye Bushings)(NPD)
Cost: $16.95 (Set of 8 Rear Shock Bushings)(NPD)
Cost: $26.50 (Pair of Leaf Spring Front Eye Bolts)(NPD)
Cost: $14.00 (4 U-bolts)(NPD)
Cost: $5.40 (4 Leaf Spring anti-squeak pads)(NPD)
Cost: $91.95 (Rear Sway Bar Kit, 3/4", with Polyurethane Bushings)(NPD)

Subtotal Cost: $216.25

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