For years, the Mustang II style independent front suspension has been a popular choice on a variety of builds. Everything from classic rods and customs to pickup trucks can utilize this design. Benefits of switching to an independent front suspension range from better handling, to more flexibility when it comes to component selection. Engine options increase, as do options for brake components and even wheel and tire choices.

TCI Engineering has recently introduced an updated and improved design of their popular Mustang II Coil Spring Independent Front Suspension System. They’ve made several design changes to improve upon this highly sought after platform. These new designs feature many heavy duty upgrades and are available for 1935-48 Ford Cars and Trucks, ’48-64 Ford Trucks, ’37-54 Chevy Cars and Trucks and ’55-59 Chevy Trucks.

A lot of time and engineering has gone into making these updates so we’ve taken a better in-depth look at what’s included in these kits, the benefits, what’s new, and outlined it here.

Lower Control Arm Mounts

Starting at the foundation, TCI has improved the lower control arm mounting design. They are now utilizing a 1¼-inch pin that travels through the center of the cross-member. This improves not only the rigidity but also the overall quality and safety of the front end. All cross-members are built using American made 3/16-inch ASTMA A-1011 steel plate. They also utilize 3/16-inch formed rack and pinion steering brackets. Each one is welded in-house for maximum quality control throughout.

Coil Spring Tower

The coil spring tower is another area that has seen significant revision and improvement. The spring towers are now built using a vertical metal plate to provide the attachment point for the upper control arms. This has eliminated the old T-bolt design which sometimes suffered movement after hitting pot holes and could affect alignment. This new design allows for greater and more stabile alignment options by allowing for the insertion of alignment shims verses the old slotted mount design.

These changes also allowed TCI to make some front end geometry changes. Through R&D and in-house engineering they’ve increased camber gain and anit-dive, while reducing bump steer. These changes result in better steering, handling and braking as well as improved tire life in many cases.

Control Arms

Lower control arms are of a heavy-duty design. These arms are built using 1.125-inch outside diameter, 0.156-inch wall tubular DOM steel and they are tig welded for improved strength. The spring cups are stamped with the correct spring index and angle easing installation and ensuring proper ride and handling. The ball joint cups are threaded and have been welded at an 11-degree angle to increase wheel travel while reducing bind and the provided screw-in ball joints are made in the USA by MOOG, an OEM supplier. The arms utilize urethane bushings instead of rubber. These heavy-duty control arms now come standard with a TCI Coil Spring IFS/Mustang II front suspension system.

Upper control arms are constructed from 1-inch, 0.156-inch wall tubular DOM steel. Like the lower control arms, the uppers utilize threaded ball joint cups. The upper arm’s ball joint cups are welded in at a 7-degree angle which also help reduce bind while increasing wheel travel. The urethane bushings are greaseable and the heavy-duty screw-in ball joints also come from MOOG.  Also, just like the lower control arms, these uppers are now standard on the Coil Spring IFS/Mustang II front suspension systems.

Shocks and Springs

The shocks included in the TCI IFS/Mustang II kits are designed for increased wheel travel over the OEM shock they’re replacing. This allows them to work in conjunction with the angle of the ball joint cups. This increased travel is another change that TCI has made to these suspension kits. The springs are made from ASTM A-401 steel. There are three spring rates available to match vehicle weight and performance. Springs come powder-coated black and are made in the USA.

Anti-Roll bar

TCI has also increased the diameter of the anti-sway bar included in this system over the previous offerings. This bar is constructed from 1018 steel, and bent by Sway-A-Way. TCI includes Energy Suspension urethane bushings with Anti-Squeak technology. The bolt-on mounting brackets are CNC machined aluminum pillow blocks and they also include adjustable Heim joints. Depending on your vehicle weight and track width the needed anti-sway bar will be either 7/8-inch or 1-inch in diameter.

Spindles

Quality spindles are another key component to the front end of any vehicle. Years ago, and in some cases even today, you may have sourced them from the junk yard. TCI includes new spindles in this new and updated kit. These spindles are available at stock or two-inch dropped ride heights. They’re made in the USA and CNC machined in house by TCI. The spindle shaft itself is constructed from 4130 chromoly steel. The spindles also feature the proper taper for the heavy duty MOOG ball joints that are included.

Steering

One of the other major key benefits of upgrading to the Coil Spring IFS/Mustang II suspension is the ability to make the change to rack and pinion steering. This improves handling, road feel, steering precision and response. TCI has you covered here as well as the kit includes a pressure tested steering rack for your specific application.

This is a bolt-on rack that their front cross-member is designed to accept. They also include screw-on tie rod ends and all the necessary hardware.

With all of these upgraded design features, if you’ve been waiting to scoop up that perfect front end for your build – now is the time! Stay tuned for a complete install coming soon.