Classic Ford Safety Upgrades
It's truly a great thing that so many advances have been made in vehicle safety since the '60s. Quantum improvements have been realized in many areas with energy absorbing vehicle structure, three-point seatbelts and air bags being just a few examples. One thing that hasn't changed is the fact that seatbelts are still your first and best line of defense against injury in the event of an accident and your classic Ford car should already be equipped with those. However, beyond seatbelts there are many things you can do to make your classic Mustang or other special interest Ford safer to travel in.
Besides being protected in the event of an accident, vehicle safety includes many things having to do with collision avoidance and operational security. To prepare this story, we asked questions such as: How safe are your travels at night with less than the optimum headlights on your car? If you live in a rainy weather state are those OE drum brakes really the best bet? The list of questions went on and on but the answer was always the same. The best way to avoid being injured in an accident is to not have one to begin with. Obviously for night-time driving the quality and quantity of light that your headlights can generate is a paramount consideration, and nighttime visibility will be a big part of our discussion.
Safety considerations also include reliability, so more questions arise. How safe are you on the side of the road because of overheating or a set of wiped out ignition points? What about tires? If you're going on a long road trip, the type and condition of your tires definitely has an impact on safety during high-speed operation. Our discussion will also include things that are intended to keep you rolling, because there are few things less fun and more dangerous than being stranded beside the side of the road.
The truth is that there are a whole host of things you can do to enhance the safety and comfort of your classic Ford travels. Let's walk around a few classic Mustangs and look at some of the things that you can do to keep out of an accident in the first place.
One solution option is to...
One solution option is to upgrade to a set of Hella halogen headlights. They use a harness that essentially bypasses the car's existing headlight wiring for a safe installation that will handle the higher electrical demand. Offered by Reenmachine of Ventura, California, the package consists of a pair of Hella high-performance halogen H4 headlights and the modern high-output relay-driven wiring harness. This kit costs $225.
The sealed beam headlights that came on a classic Mustang were standard equipment back in the day. At night it was fairly easy to out-drive your headlights, meaning the distance required to stop was greater than the distance that you could see. It's sort of going on faith if you will. In an early Mustang, a switch over to the brighter halogen sealed beams can be a big help. However, if your car has the OE headlight switch, the circuit breaker built into the switch can begin to overload and the headlights will flicker or go out altogether. Replacement switches with a higher rated circuit breaker are available and they will allow you to run somewhat brighter beams, but you're still limited by the factory wiring when it comes to running more powerful headlights.
Here are the Hella lamps installed...
Here are the Hella lamps installed into this '65 Mustang. They look like the standard sealed beam, and apart from the wiring, the installation is the same, but they are much brighter. They emit a cleaner white light when compared to the yellow-hued light coming from the original equipment, and do not rely on the original aged wiring.
To up the ante, KAR Auto Group...
To up the ante, KAR Auto Group now offers this kit to install late-model-style GT foglights into early Mustangs. This kit is for the '65 model and is called the Formula 4 inboard light assembly. It includes the '65 GT grille with cut outs, seven inch diameter foglights, wiring harness, and mounting brackets. The price at KAR is $695.
Here are both the Hella lamps...
Here are both the Hella lamps and the GT foglights installed and shining on this good looking Mustang coupe. With these substantial upgrades the driver will have much more leeway before out-driving the headlights.
These Delta Xenon headlights...
These Delta Xenon headlights are another bright option. We found this four-light system for '69 Mustangs or any other car that uses 5 3/4-inch headlights. This package consists of four Delta high-performance halogen H4 headlights and a modern high-output relay driven wiring harness. The cost at Reenmachine is $279.
Installed into the stock headlight...
Installed into the stock headlight openings on this '69 Mustang, these Delta lamps seem like aircraft landing lights when the high beams are fired up at night. This '69 model is the only Mustang ever produced with a standard quad-headlight arrangement.
Another alternative for headlights...
Another alternative for headlights is LED. This new technology provides excellent illumination in a 7-inch round lamp for forward-lighting, 12-volt applications. LEDs offer extended life and energy efficiency. They have a bright and crisp white light output, and offer long service life and great dependability. The LED headlamps feature solid-state circuit board assemblies for shock and vibration resistance. They have hard-coated polycarbonate lenses that offer 30 times the impact resistance of glass. The kit costs $578 and is warrantied for the life of your car by Mustang Project.
Taillights are another area...
Taillights are another area that can use some visibility improvement. Modern LED conversion kits are now available that allow you to use your stock taillight housings with LED inserts. LED lamps are brighter than the incandescent bulb, generate no heat, and require less current to operate. Here's an LED taillight kit for a '69 Mustang from the Mustang Project. The upgrade is at least twice as bright as a conventional setup. The kit is now being offered at a price of $99.95.
As you can see, the LED panel...
As you can see, the LED panel simply installs into the stock taillight bucket. Reassemble the taillamp housing with the LEDs in place and you're ready to go. A very brilliant display results from a press of the brake pedal. The running lights are also brighter than stock. It's a cool upgrade for only $100.
Classic Ford cars with a standard...
Classic Ford cars with a standard interior came equipped with a non-prismatic inside rearview mirror. Traffic behind you will blind you even if that person isn't running their high beams. Switch to an automatic dimming mirror like this aftermarket Gentex unit and the excess light striking the rear view mirror at night will be discarded before it reaches your eyes. This unit even features a compass and ambient thermometer. It attaches to the stock mirror arm and is easily wired for power. We found it for $238.95. If you don't want an aftermarket mirror, then you can still get the manual prismatic mirror that was optional back in the day. It is far better than one with no prismatic function at all.
Disc brake conversion kits...
Disc brake conversion kits like this one from Master Power Brakes can be a good way to go to get away from your basic OE drum brakes. This four-piston caliper kit bolts right onto your existing spindle, and the stock sized rotors will fit behind an original 14-inch wheel. Once you've got your disc brakes installed, you'll enjoy not only shorter stopping distances but also straighter stops in wet weather. This kit retails for $649.
Brakes are one of the most obvious areas of focus when it comes to safety. Good brakes are your best defensive tool, and it pays to have the best binders you can afford installed on your car. Disc brakes offer many advantages. They don't grab like drum brakes do, and the pedal on a disc brake set up has a much more modulated and controlled feel to it.
If you've got a heavy car or one with a big-block engine, then power brakes can also be a great safety upgrade. With power brakes there's no shortage of leg muscle when it comes time to slow down the wheels. Once installed, the booster will need to be connected to a vacuum source on the intake manifold. The new power brakes will seem sensitive by comparison and the light pedal effort will take a little getting used to. The booster kit ifrom Master Power Brakes retails for $429.
Interior Concerns
On the inside of the car, one area of consideration related to brakes would be the parking brake actuation. The system isn't truly an emergency brake system, but it is designed to be completely separate and independent of the main hydraulically actuated system. Many Mustang models have the parking brake lever that is inconveniently located underneath the dash behind the steering wheel. We've seen many cars that dispense with this arrangement and go with a tunnel mounted brake lever, for more positive engagement and no interference with the steering wheel during an emergency situation. This unit from Lokar makes for a sanitary installation. We found the handle for $89.95, while a cable kit to complete the installation underneath the car costs $99.
While we're still in the interior of the car, we thought we'd mention instrumentation. Although a complete set of gauges like this Auto Meter outfit might not seem like safety equipment, if it keeps you from being stopped by the side of the road it is. Gauges allow you to see a pattern of operation and make it possible to see a problem coming. A temperature gauge that creeps up slowly over time is telling you that there are cooling system problems on the horizon. A warning light simply tells you that the problem is already upon you. Plus, modern gauges are much easier to read and are more brightly lit than the 40-plus-year-old originals.
Most of the classic Ford cars we're concerned with came equipped with seats that were thinly padded by modern standards and lap-only seatbelts. Many enthusiasts we know are happier and more comfortable with more modern seats and a three-point seatbelt installation. Just such a combination upgrade has been accomplished on this classic Mustang. While installing late-model seats into a car such as this one usually isn't too difficult, the shoulder belt hard-point design has to be considered carefully. For racing, a more elaborate five-point design and roll protection should be employed.
If you want to take the notion...
If you want to take the notion of electronic reliability to the next level, it's hard to beat a complete EFI system like this one from Mass Flo EFI. Carburetor problems go out the window as a computer takes over the function of fuel and engine management. It has a list price of $3,194.99.
As we have already mentioned, reliability of operation means safety. One of the most frequent difficulties encountered on the open road in classic cars is ignition problems. They usually arise when the breaker points become worn or otherwise come out of adjustment. Points may deteriorate over the miles but occasionally they will fail suddenly. The popular cure for this condition is an electronic ignition.
Another reliability category...
Another reliability category to think about is cooling capacity. Overheating can be a real problem on early cars. Because of their small amount of radiator frontal area, they often struggle to keep cool under additional heat and load conditions. Installation of an electric fan such as this SPAL unit will help you in situations where there is no fan shroud or extra loads are anticipated. The SPAL fan will set you back around $135.
A setup like this Pertronix...
A setup like this Pertronix distributor will cure your ignition-related ills permanently. If you'd like to retain your stock distributor, a Pertronix Ignitor for your Ford distributor is available separately for $106.51.
Take cooling safety to the...
Take cooling safety to the maximum with an aluminum replacement radiator like this one from Griffin. The extra-thick core and large water passages make it a very efficient unit that fits in the stock core support opening. Teamed up with the SPAL electric fan, this fellow won't have to worry about overheating in Death Valley. We found the radiator for $584.69.
Suspension And Balance
Turning our attention to suspension, a lot of help can be had by adding a larger diameter front antisway bar, and even adding a rear bar as well. You'll get more positive steering response, and a safer and more controlled ride in sharp turns such as freeway cloverleaves. Front and rear bars cost about $100 each at Mustangs Plus.
If you're unhappy with the...
If you're unhappy with the steering and handling precision offered by the OE suspension, many enthusiasts go with a completely new front suspension setup such as this Mustang II arrangement from Heidt's. You get new design equipment precision in terms of suspension, brakes, and steering. Kit prices start at $1,899.
Most of us drive our classic...
Most of us drive our classic Ford cars knowing that they lack the modern safety amenities found on newer cars. We don't know your position on classic Mustang fuel tanks, but we do know that no vehicle type can survive every type of rear impact collision. If you race your car or are concerned that a rear impact may rupture your fuel tank, you may wish to replace it with a fuel cell such as this unit from Fuel Safe. It features an internal bladder that is flexible and will deform without bursting in most circumstances. The Fuel Safe Mustang fuel cell for '65-'68 Mustangs is part number 423415 and costs $1,595.
While the bias-belted and...
While the bias-belted and bias-ply tires that were OE on your '65 Mustang when it was new were the normal equipment for their day, the latest radial tires are far better from a safety standpoint. The amount of improvement in modern tires compared to the OE equipment is enormous. Save the bias-ply tires for show cars and run a killer modern tire such as this Goodyear Eagle. The ride quality, road-hazard resistance, and longevity all make a convincing argument in favor of modern rubber on your classic Ford.
One time on our car the battery...
One time on our car the battery hold-down came loose and the battery ended up in the fan. There was battery acid everywhere under the hood and on the paint. It was a king-sized disaster. A setup like this would have prevented the problem, and added better vehicle traction and balance to boot. This Optima gel battery gets rid of the acid and replaces it with a solid material (absorbent glassmat) making spills impossible. Optima batteries start at about $139.