Obviously a common topic of conversation when we're talking stock Mustangs, but why, exactly, do Ford stick with such a high ride height from the factory?

One explanation I've heard was bumper height regs. But really? In 2012? OK, it's well recorded that this is why the rubber bumpered MGBs from the early 70's had a heady ride height, but does that really still apply today? Surely not!!

BMW seem to be a be able to get a good stance from the factory, so I'm not buying it being a legislation issue.


A gorgeous Mustang with a crappy ride height.



A gorgeous Mustang with a great ride height.

 

I believe that their reasoning stems from the fact that MOST people who buy a mustang (we who mod our cars are in the minority) buy it for a comfortable daily driver.

 

I can understand that, but using BMW as an example, as before, (run flat tyres aside) you can have a good ride and a good ride height

 

Thats my thinking also. Its for a nice ride. The lower you go the rougher the ride.

 

...and some (not me) like the 'old school' rake. Remember Gabriel air shocks? LOL

 

Yes ride height is based on making the ride comfortable. But remember most (if not all) the components of the suspension are put together as a compromise based on cost and durability. Lower ride height requires stiffer springs to keep the suspension off the bumpstops. And this also requires a better quality strut/shock to control that spring. These all increase the cost, and while some people might pay the difference for that better look and control, most people wouldn't and just don't care.

 

Also for snow chain clearance. My last car (RX8) specifically said no snow chains. The Mustang manual actually allows snow chains.

 

Another thing that helps the red car is that the wheels actually have some depth to them thanks to an actual rim lip. The stock Boss302 wheels lack that and don't look as good to me.

 

Think about the biggest market for the Mustang - the middle of the country. This area doesn't have the best maintained roads, due to the seasons taking their toll on the roads. Also, a lot of Mustang buyers take their cars to the strip - low ride height/stiff springs aren't the best combination for weight transfer.

 

This ^

I'm in the Chicago area and any lower than mine is would give me trouble on most roads and driveways, not to mention speed bumps. I've learned to take things at an angle to avoid scraping the front and middle underside of the car.

 

I have family in the Chicagoland area, and I've been all around the Midwest. It's true. The roads suck! And steep driveway entrances to avoid snow packing up the sidewalk.

 

If not for the factory height of the mustang, I'd probably be in a different car right now. I'm from MI and i've always loved corvettes! i test drove a couple vettes before i bought my mustang. I couldn't get over the low ride of the vette. I would have scraped up my front constantly in a vette, but have had zero issues in my mustang.

In my mustang i've cleared chunks of concrete, shredded tires, car parts that have fallen off other vehicles and ice/snow build up thats fallen off other cars.

I'm glad the factory height is what it is and i've always thought the muscle cars look aggressive with a higher ride vs. a lowered ride height.

 

I'm not sure why the Mustang gets criticism for having that look. I'm a fan of a lowered Mustang but I also like the raised look on the Mustang. Don't forget that this is the style and heritage of American muscle cars. In the 60's and 70's people were raising their cars. Think about this, if every modern day Mustang was lowered, I guarantee seeing one with it's current look would have people going "wow...that looks good". Everybody wants to lower their mustang which is fine, but there's also absolutely nothing wrong with it's stock stance either.

 

The engineers I've spoken to mention ride comfort, management of the live axle suspension movement (especially when there is weight in the rear), and stance.

 

but then again if you put some good lugged tires on there all the way around you could really go through some ****

 

 

Not to change the subject but who makes the wheels on the red car?

 

I think cars lowered like the red one are too low. When the wheel well arc doesn't match the tire arc it looks goofy. IMO

 

Shelby. They are CS56s.


Thanks all for the feedback..........perhaps I shouldn't complain about the state of our roads in the UK then

 

I would bet that the middle of the USA is not the largest part of the market. I would be most sales happen on the coasts. I would however agree that the sales in the middle area have to do with the height. Also not everyone that own a mustang wants or can get into a lowered car.