Comparing the stock 79 Ranchero front sway bar (top) to the stock 66 Galaxie front sway bar (bottom)
Sandblasted
After waiting over 5 years Hotchkis finally started producing tubular front control arms (same they did for Jay Leno’s Galaxie). They released them beginning of Jan. 2017 & I had them in hand by end of that month
http://www.hotchkis.net/search-by-vehicle-results/?mk=54&yr=1966&md=2105&sm=20
Comparing stock lower control arms to Hotchkis arms
Comparing stock lower control arms to Hotchkis arms
Comparing stock upper control arms to Hotchkis arms
Improved geometry and stronger
Powder coated 2″ drop front springs. I had them custom made from Coil Spring Specialties
2.00” trim height & +20% rate increase & +95# for added engine weight – about $200 for the pair
Powder coated stock spindles
Powder coated stock strut rods with polyurethane bushings
The strut rod polyurethane bushings
Stock 1979 Ranchero front sway bar powder coated & 1979 Ranchero polyurethane bushing kits
The 1979 Rachero front sway is twice as thick as the stock Galaxie bar. Requires using difference frame mounts & relocating them to underside of frame (same way Ranchero mounts it)
Front shocks
http://www.qa1.net/505-aluminum-stocker-star-shock
Control arms, springs, shocks & spindles installed. Had to use spring compressor to compress springs about 5″ to get them in (a bit challenging)
Front sway bar installed. The Ranchero bar brackets mount to underside of frame instead of outer sides of frame. Had to drill new holes for new location
Inside of the frame were you can see the nut & lock washer for the sway bar mount
getting the steering linkage painted
New Borgeson steer gear box
part # 800128
GM part number found on input housing of gear box
Billet aluminum tie rod adjusters
Idler arm frame nuts
Frame nuts installed on passenger side
Idler arm installed
Center link installed
Tie rods installed
Steering rag joint – Different style to fit the GM style gear box
1966 Ford Galaxie Restoration Project 
Amazing work on both the car and the blog! This page is such an awesome resource and I’m stoked to find it. Bravo Sir.
I’m currently fully stripped down on a ’65 I picked up in CA in 2014, getting all the major parts back from chemical strip next month so have been buying parts. The original 390 has been out with Blair Patrick getting stroked to 445 and Broader Performance is doing a 4R70W for it using the original cruise O bell. I have the Hotchkis kit inbound and getting dialled in on custom springs as theirs don’t give it much drop as you clearly know. This is where my questions arise… in the pictures you show on the home/about page of this site, the car looks awesome, but is that from the 2″ drop spring as stated on both of the suspension pages? It looks like the car has dropped much more than 2 inches. What is the measurement from the bottom of the rocker panel to ground immediately in front of the rear wheel? When I measured that on the ’65 it was 11.25″ and in those pictures you look like you’re running at around 7″?
Also in those home page images, are you showing the same wheel and tire combo as indicated on the wheels and tires page? The rims look slightly different but still they all look awesome. I’m looking at around 19×8 front and 20×10 rear – feel like the front is going to struggle with 20″ on it but that is all pending mock up. Have you had any issues with all the rubber you put under it?
Cheers,
Chad
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Hey Chad, I apricate the positive feedback!! The picture on my home page is a rendering of my car. Unfortunately, I have not finished it so I have not driven it yet. As for the 2″ drop I did end up cutting a little more off to drop it even lower. You can email me at: 521galaxie@gmail.com
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Did the Borgeson box come with the pitman arm or did you reuse the old one? Is there a part number on the arm?
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I see you already answered that the stock fit the new gearbox.
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It would the part # in your picture is for a 02-06 1500 Avalanche, Escalade, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon in 2 and 4wd. I’m talking to Turn One to see what options there are for 10:1 ratio with that box. Did the stock pitman arm get reused or was it replaced as part of the Borgeson kit?
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I used the stock pitman arm – I think mine is 14:1 ratio
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great pics, Thank you. We have a 66 Galaxy as a daily driver. Thinking/planning stage right now. Only limited by budget…
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I’ve just started doing some brake and suspension upgrades to the 1965 Galaxie that I’ve had since high school. Thank you so much for posting all this great information I appreciate it a lot.
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Hey David, you are very welcome. Glad you found my page
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I am going to send you pics of the spindles, also I went with air ride once again lol, took the car in a different direction, FYI the Hotchkis control arms with air ride are AMAZING!!
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ThIs page is AWESOME. thank you for posting with so much detail
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What are the QA1 Shocks compared to stock? I mean lower/same since you did springs. Also how much lower will this be since only doing the springs and why not drop spindles? Just curious. I am doing the similar set up but custom coils has 2.5” drop and that seems minimal for these boats.
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The QA shocks are a bit shorter to compensate for the shorter springs. Car sets about 2 – 2.5” lower compares to stock now. All you do is tell the spring co. how low you want to go and they fabricate the springs accordingly. Unfortunately, nobody makes drop spindles for these vehicles either.
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Well Fatman does make drop spindles. I got a quote directly. $610 shipped but you need to also buy the rotors, brakes and other things. About $1,100 in total for drop spindles for this car. Persaonlly I’m ok without them lol. But if I wanted to go lower than 2-2.5 they will cut the springs accordingly? I’m basically trying to tuck either 20” or 22” rear and 18” or 19” front. Haven’t decided what sizes yet but I don’t want air ride. And coilovers are even more expensive Viking, and Hotchkis. I think maybe QA1 sells a universal set? Not sure
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Cool, never knew about the fatman spindles. For lowered springs I don’t think they cut them. I believe they heat & fabricate according to the specs needed. I know rears can’t be cut for sure because each end of the spring is tapered
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Hey ’66; Just doing some suspension research recently ,checking out P.M.T/ Spohn/ hotchkiss etc..for my ’72 Ltd ,which is my daily driver for last several years now,and found your blog…Outstanding effort! and very concise and informative. Well done!
I’ve been very slowly collecting up parts/ pieces over this time – damn near stacked to the ceiling,and your article really has me stoked to start opening boxes and get to it!!
Thanks for the boost…👨🔧
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Hey Michael, glad you found my site. I appreciate the feedback and I’m pleased you find it useful. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions
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man! Super excited to see this blog!! I am just starting to look for a 65-66 Galaxie
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Hey Morgan, glad to hear. Feel free to contact me if you ever have any questions
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I’m sorry, I just used the term “cut” I did mean make or fab to spec. LOL Just an old term. And yes Fatman will make them $610 for the spindles, and then whatever else for the GM brakes and all the extra…Not sure how they are, heard good things. Myself I am doing Ridetech Air..but always interested in the other suspensions, for other cars. I just am a huge fan of ridetech. for me. I also do dumb stuff to good cars LOL I have a 67 mustang guage cluster/bezel and split dash pad also from a 67 stang, in one of my galaxies cut it in half and used it. looks pretty good if you don’t mind making the “resto” guys mad Looks good though I was just curious on the suspension specs…so this will basically be almost stock ride height and really agressive suspension i assume for that big 521 it looks lie..you’ll need beefy suspension
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Do you have a link to the fatman spindles & ridetrch stuff?
Mine car is currently sitting about 2” lower than stock now. And with the long tube headers, deep engine & trans oil pan I don’t have much clearance left on the underside
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Thanks for sharing. Were the ranchero polyurethane bushings from the same year?
I’m in the middle of doing the same thing to a 66 galaxie convertible in California.
Logan
Lrice@hotmail.com
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I used the 79 Ranchero bushings if I remember correctly. They do however need a little modification to work
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I had to call Fatman and they got the info and told me they would have it done withing a couple weeks, I left deposit, they called, and in about a month total turnaround from first call I had spindles and disc conversion, Now I am trying to find someone who makes REAR coilovers
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That’s awesome. Email some pics when you get them – 521galaxie@gmail.com
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Did the Borgeson box bolt right in or did you have to drill the frame? Did you reuse the pitman arm? What about the steering column mount? I was looking at using the same box from Turn One so I could get their 10:1 ratio.
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Yes, it bolted right up. One of the holes in the box was oblonged a bit. It is the quick ratio too
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