gen 2 -> gen 1 handling

[fuhSHO]

what does it take to make a gen 2 handle like a gen 1 ( amount of parts and $$) ?? what does the gen 1 have that the 2's dont have?

 

[yamahaSHO]

I think the only difference is the sway bar size.

 

[Oz]

Well, for one, the Gen 2 has a lot more overhang on the front. At least six inches more. I dont know how much of an effect that would have on handling though. Generally, Ive found Gen 1s to feel lighter in the nose.

 

[fuhSHO]

someone led me to believe that the 2nd gen handling package is the same of that on the regular 2nd taurii. not true??

 

[FAST4DR]

fuhSHO:
someone led me to believe that the 2nd gen handling package is the same of that on the regular 2nd taurii. not true??

Well I think on the gen2's, the springs and struts may be regular taurus stuff, as compared to specific springs and strut rates in gen 1's. Also, the swaybar diameters are smaller on the gen2's. I believe the bushing package is the same as the gen 1's.

The only poly bushings that came from the factory on my gen2 were on the front locating link(back half) and on the top bushings on the rear sway bar link. All the rest are rubber and I think it's the same way on the gen1's.

So the biggest difference that people feel is the strut damping rate/spring rate and the larger 24, 26 swaybars.

When I had my 91 and I traded it on the 93 atx it was a whole different car. The 93 atx wallowed like a pig compared to the 91. On a particular back road I used to fly down, it had a lot of short up/down rises and when I was in the 91 it would never bottom over any of them. At the same speed in the 93atx it would slam that front plastic air smoother thing into the ground. I enjoyed the atx but it wasn't a back road terror like the 91.

will

 

[yamahaSHO]

Did the gen 1's come with rear gas shocks like the gen 2??

 

[FAST4DR]

yamahaSHO:
Did the gen 1's come with rear gas shocks like the gen 2??

I couldn't answer that one. shrug

 

[RStalveyARFF]

the rear of any gen SHO or taurus sedan has struts. the taurus wagon has rear shocks. The differences are, in 94/95 Ford started getting cheap, and at least putting taurus rate springs on, instead of the heavier SHO spring rate springs. You will also find a difference with the dinky swaybars with varied sizes, where all 89-91 SHO's had the same swaybar sizes, the same springs, the same struts. The setups in the Gen II's varied so much it isn't even funny.

 

[Dave Kegel]

Well, for one, the Gen 2 has a lot more overhang on the front. At least six inches more.

I'm not sure that's right. The Gen2 SHO is 192" long. I believe (I can double-check tomorrow) the Gen1 is about 188". Either way, the extra length is not all in the front. The other thing to consider is that the Gen2 bumpers are lighter than the Gen1's, so I'm not sure the overhang matters at all.

Dave Kegel

 

[qiksho]

Being they are all about 10 years old it depends on how new the suspension components are. My dads 92 handles better than either my 89 or 91+ currently do. He has newer springs and struts and you can tell a big difference.

When the rear end is saggy...they don't handle near as well frown

 

[FAST4DR]

Yeah that's definately true about the age. My 95's(original suspension) felt much tighter than my 91 because the 91's spring/struts are getting a little soft.

But in an earlier post, when I compared the 91 to the 93, I was talking about new cars that I had bought back in 1991 and 93. So I definately know, at least in the two cars I bought, that they were very different handling cars.

 

[fuhSHO]

is all the suspension stuff interchangeable or did they change dimensions and stuff?

 

[RStalveyARFF]

Gen I and Gen II components are interchangable. Gen III components are different and can not be used.

 

[Dave Kegel]

Actually, the Gen1/2 rear sway bar will work on a Gen3. I'm also pretty sure you can use the Gen1/2 springs and struts on the Gen3.

Dave Kegel

<small>[ April 22, 2003, 09:33 AM: Message edited by: Dave Kegel ]</small>

 

[yamahaSHO]

SHO91MTX:
the rear of any gen SHO or taurus sedan has struts.

You know what I mean, shocks are basically what is in a strut. Especially if you have the Koni's, you are just putting a shock in a strut housing.

 

[twr]

My 89' had SHO Specific Springs, Struts and Sway Bars. My 95' had SLO Springs, Struts and Sway Bars. My 95' now has SHO specific Struts and Gen 1 sway bars along with Intrax Springs - it now handles like my 89' used too.