Classic Meets Modern Fox Body Mustang 4-Link Conversion on My 1966 Mustang!

[@badcatt-the-cougar-guy-7219]

I'm enjoying this build. There are so many first gen Mustangs out there and it seems like most are done to look original. it is no loss to the Mustang community to modify this one. It'll live a new life as a cool modified car. And I love a modified car.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

It's nice to see some people that get it 😁

[@criticaltemperature3343]

Same. My 65 is lightly modified. Its currently factory 86 Lincoln fuel injected, stripped of most of the emissions and a 5 speed. I'm thinking of going back to a carb.

[@classicwefi]

The first cut on a project like this can be scary , people thought i was crazy when I cut up my long bed chevy truck and made it into a short bed , with careful measuring everything turned out fine when i put it on the alignment rack. Looking forward to the next video 🇺🇸

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Absolutely, the first cut is always the scariest, but you just gotta go for it. It all works out in the end! If not it's just metal that can be fixed

[@Ron_Lockwood]

Nice to see the Safety Inspector on duty.😎❤️🐈

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Yes, gotta stay safe!

[@rickyfulks6656]

Very cool project,I have a 63 Falcon hardtop so I'm all eyes LOL. Appreciate u sharing with fellow gearheads

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

The falcon would be a good fit also

[@rickyfulks6656]

@HotRodGuyGarage 10/4

[@jimzivny1554]

This video was very good. I'm older than you and have done a bunch of cars and trucks. One thing you said that was the key to building I think. After all the measurements, napkin sketches and pizza box templates when you make the first cut the worries disappear, now it's just a matter of executing all the steps. I'm working on my '64 Galaxie fastback and I'm looking for a donor Lincoln MKVIII for the independent rear suspension and rear, it should be a huge upgrade from the leaf springs.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Absolutely, I've cut and mixed alot. Most seem scared of it but it's not that bad to do just got to make that first plunge. And the independent rear should make your galaxie ride and handle nice

[@kgroombr]

I didn't think you would get this far so fast. Impressed.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Definitely been trying to get it to a roller as fast as I can

[@richhanan218]

Hi Russ, great job so far! Your really showing us a serious upgrade on your 66 and explaining in great detail how to go about it doing such a project. Thank you for showing us this project. It's nice that Daisy is really supervising lol.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

I'm trying to show as much as I can, hopefully a few won't find it scary as it seems

[@robertwernsing4566]

Supervisor Daisy making sure you are doing it right!! Great video....

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

She makes sure it's done right!

[@mustang6942]

Glad to see you went with the Fox body rear half, gonna be a cool project 👍

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Absolutely, the cheapest way to get a 4-link and a stronger rear end

[@ding7856]

Anyone that doesn't have faith has not watched the project Phenix playlist.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Absolutely 😁

[@thomasmauck8470]

Years ago, I had a Mustang monthly magazine, there was an article about a 65-66, that they swapped the entire floor/frame structure from a fox body into it. Even used the firewall and dash from the fox body

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Absolutely a body swap would had been easier in the end I've seen a few done

[@omac1]

Excellent vid. I enjoy watching you fabricate the Fox body into the 66. If possible I would use the original back seat so the car would look stock but have the much better rear suspension. The coil overs are a good option to give you room for whatever wheel you end up using. It's early in the process but painting the 66 Mustang red would look awesome.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

At this point a factory back seat should be easy to adapt or even the fox body coupe or hatch fold down rear seat

[@fastlx]

The fox stuff is actually a lot closer than one would think. Can't wait to see where this goes.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Absolutely probably the closest to using as much as possible

[@piercehawke8021]

1960-70 Falcon, 1970-77 Maverick, 1978-93 Fox body.........apparently, all three or four platforms are quite close in many critical dimensions.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

@@piercehawke8021 your correct

[@pauldarderi3560]

Russ I gotta say that you make that fox body conversion look easy and it is for you but is probably beyond most body shops I do like the idea of having big rubber under the rear Daisy was just being super affectionate at the start of the video she loves being around you.

[@KevinEckhart-d6n]

Awesome job Russ !!

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@kevinstroh117]

Nice job Russ moving that rear trunk pan down 2° from 4 to 2 made that look a lot better.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Absolutely, that made a huge difference! And I'm working on another video now bringing it down to stock height

[@ApesterA]

Awesome content as always. I'm looking forward to the hours of educational entertainment of this build!

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@dave-uf8ir]

I'm all in I get ur vision on pins & needles daisy keep on eye on this lol 😊

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

It's going to be a wild ride!

[@johnreney3490]

Great work Russ. Very informative and enjoyable to see your work and methods.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Appreciate the kind words! Hopefully it will help someone with a few cars laying around

[@Edith.Keeler]

Great video! Can't wait for the next one!

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Coming soon! 😁

[@robertrudeseal4200]

Good information, thanks.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

I'm trying to make sure this build is as informative as possible!

[@jonbailey6048]

This is really cool, seems a pretty easy way to put a factory four link setup under this car

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

It's definitely a cheaper option vs the bolt in kits but as always budget come in at a cost of more work

[@dupes_1618]

Looking forward to an interesting build

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

It will be a long process, but I think it will be worth it.

[@andydawson2101]

Love daisy's attitude to a noisy and dangerous environment, my cat you only have to sneeze and he is gone lol.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

She is definitely pretty relaxed

[@hiramwilson3438]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@dave-uf8ir]

Ws not sure at first love it u go Russ 😊

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Thanks Dave

[@samuelgoodman2825]

I can see it man.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

It's all gonna come together pretty well

[@dave-uf8ir]

A 2×4 same guys must have owned my 64 Rancharo lol 😊

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Definitely odd , but it was hanging from a A frame when I bought it

[@NathansMoparGarage]

It fits in there nicely.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Definitely

[@randyedwards3244]

Russ, looking at that 2X6 bolted under the rear of that Mustang brings out a whole new interpretation of exactly what "Body Rot" is on a car! On a serious note, it appears that if you already had the Fox Body parts available and prepped as much as possible they could be swapped into the First Gen Mustang as a weekend project.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Definitely

[@billyduffany3387]

This looks like it is going to be a cool project.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

It definitely should be

[@heritagegaitfarms2515]

Nice walk-through assessment of the car before you ever get started on it. I love an old Mustang. Glad you’re saving them all as you can.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Appreciate you! Glad you’re enjoying the process.

[@johnnydanger57]

Daisy is bucking for a treat raise! And I have to say, growing up and living most of my life in the desert Southwest (where even surface rust is a rarity) and seeing what you guys "East" do with rusted cars we wouldn't even look at and send to the crusher. It is an amazing thing to see such tenacity and patients on all the work that is actually involved! And I never would have thought to cut out pretty much the whole back end off a fox to install the 4 link. Looking forward to the progress!

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Absolutely more treats more sleep! , rust usually isn't a huge deal around here usually more neglect then salt related

[@DeanMehrtens]

Well I’m hooked in again just like the other mustang I can’t wait to watch you work some magic into this project. Love these videos!!

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Thanks for watching, I'm glad you're enjoying it!

[@TerryChesney-z9u]

Great video brother, it’s amazing to watch you work. You make it seem simple the way you explain what you’re doing. Thanks Russ for sharing your knowledge with all of your fans 👍

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Thanks,I've been trying to explain it the best I can

[@RolandTHX]

Trusting the process! You've got a vision for this thing, and I'm sure you'll be able to see it through.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

It's going to be a long process but I think it's going to be worth it.

[@piddmr]

Russ this is an amazing build but I’m sure there are those out there that don’t agree. I am a Mustang guy and always was. I grew up through all these Mustangs and currently own a beautiful 67 coup but my feelings are “your car, your choice”. Those who don’t like what you are doing need to get their own car and build it the way they like……………..that’s what hot rods are all about. Can’t wait to see how it turns out.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

I agree with you, it's all about building what you want!

[@burtnelson1987]

I agree with you on that first cut. It is a lot easier to cut things up AFTER you get past that one. As for your concept, you have done a great service to anyone that wants to upgrade the first series Mustang. It does make me wonder if the rear section from a Fairmont platform would work in the 67 to 69 cars, being as they are just a bit wider. I like the direction you are going with this and having your own test mule is not a bad idea at all. I worked as a test driver for American Motors in the seventies and we had a Gremlin test mule that got everything from a four cylinder to a 360 V8 thrown in it. When you were assigned that car, you never knew if it was going to be a snail or a jackrabbit. I'm looking forward to this series. Give daisy a head rub for me, she's doing a good job of inspecting things and keeping you company.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

A Fairmont, or T bird would be longer in the back half im working on a video on how I'm addressing that one now. This car will be to the channel what project X was to Car Craft in the 60's to 80's

[@piercehawke8021]

@@HotRodGuyGarage Project X is an iconic ride.........

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

@@piercehawke8021 absolutely has been my favorite magazine test bed car

[@genehunsinger3981]

NEAT!!!!

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Absolutely 😁

[@rickyfulks6656]

We don't always need to buy the over priced aftermarket stuff.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Absolutely true

[@jerzy4151]

Looking great!

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@beavis6363]

I wasn't sure how I felt about this direction but I'm beginning to see the light. Super interesting. I'm on board.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

It's gonna be fun, come into the light :)

[@DonaldDolph-ob8yv]

Russ, amazing watching you work these details. I would have been losing my s**t trying to figure this build. You make it look pretty easy, much respect to you! This is really fun watching you do this stuff. But I'll be honest, there is no way I could do this. I mean I don't have the space or the equipment. Anyway, another great video, man! 👍

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Understand, I've even done this stuff in a gravel driveway it's all about using your base measurements to compensate

[@neilhansen5663]

With you all the way buddy

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Thanks see ya in the next one!

[@jimmiepoole7370]

Great job making it fit fella.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@urbo42]

Great engineering. The trunk will be interesting and you are going to end up with a super car.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

It's going to be a fun build! Trunk area video is next up

[@huck01955]

Wow that worked out well the two cars went together well .

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Definitely not to far off

[@russelblackwell6041]

Merry Xmas MR Mustang- Russ brilliant videos in 2024 cheers mate

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Merry Christmas to you too ⛄

[@jeanlawson9133]

Good stuff

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Thanks for the visit

[@willardscott2146]

Hell yeah very interesting video!

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@LetGaiaLive]

I’m sure someone, living in some kind of “time locked” museum, would want to restore a six cylinder mustang - but I’m fairly sure most people won’t! Daisy, tell Russ to GO FOR IT! Wooden “subframe connectors!!!”🤣🤣🤣

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

You're exactly right, it's time for this car to get a new life!

[@criticaltemperature3343]

As i once heard. "Anyone can restore a car...it takes a real man to CUT ONE UP" lol

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Truth

[@kevinstroh117]

Question, are you spraying any well through primer and areas where it’s never gonna get painted again between the 66 in the fox body as you’re doing your welding so it’s protected in the future?

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Yes always,and in the end I will go back and spray internally also

[@Fog66]

Besides being a great spot for rust, what was the thinking on making the trunk drops on cars???

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

It provides structure and a place for water to drain

[@criticaltemperature3343]

If you need more room for rear tires. A slight flare would help. Correct me if im wrong, but i believe the outer rear wheel house from a 67-68 will fit a 65-66 with a bit of slight massaging of the quarter and give an extra inch of room on each side. Obviously, they are not intended to fit, so they are tight.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Definitely could do some light massaging

[@merlinmonson2133]

What years are considered the fox body platform?

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

79-93 on mustangs 79-88 on T birds and cougars 78 was the start on Fairmonts

[@criticaltemperature3343]

​@HotRodGuyGarage the front lower control arms on a t-bird are longer than a mustang. I'm sure you know this. I found out when I put mustang front arms on an 88 bird. Took it in for an alignment and was told it couldn't be done. They adjust the stut top all the way out and I ate a pair of tires (outside edge) in less than 6 months. I moved them all the way in and problem went away at the expense of a slightly narrower front track width.

[@criticaltemperature3343]

There was a Mercury counterpart to the mustang. Wasn't that also a fox body ??

[@robertbray5735]

Put some upr upper and boxes in and weld.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Definitely gonna do some add ons

[@ryanmuir6338]

Rear seat delete

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

That's the plan

[@randyoehlert5045]

I have a 1962 Falcon I've thought about doing about the same to it. There is not much difference between the Falcon and the older Mustang.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

The Falcon would be a perfect candidate for a swap.

[@samuelayers3429]

Watching folks cut into things always makes me cringe, but I don't have any skill doing things like that so that's why. I like how close two different gens match up though.

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Understand, hopefully this one will help people feel more comfortable trying something like this

[@robertbray5735]

Wax on and off. Cutting not a problem with race cars etc

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Absolutely

[@Coronetguy]

Haha, Daisy is attention deprived on this video!

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

She's supervising the entire project, it's her job!

[@robertbray5735]

And lower

[@scottyjones27]

Cat scan

[@HotRodGuyGarage]

Important part for sure