Please get familiar with the parts included in the Road & Track Box, as listed on the Options tab. Many parts are available in multiple varieties. While it's common to need help from an MM Tech Associate to decide which variety of any particular part is best for your Mustang, once you understand the basic options we can assist you better.
Once you have a list of the exact parts you need, either place your order from this page and then type your list of part numbers into the Additional Information field on the first checkout page, or place your order by phone.
- Select one of the 2 possible year ranges. The year of your chassis determines which strut tower brace will fit.
- Select whether or not your Mustang is a convertible. That determines which springs fit and whether a k-member brace will fit.
- Select the brand of struts and shocks you prefer.
Keep in mind that customization also means that we can delete items from a Road & Track Box. If you already have some parts from another manufacturer, let us know and we'll check to see if they all play nicely together. On the other hand, if you're ready to load up your Mustang with a complete street-friendly and track-worthy handling package, we'll hook you up.
The basic kit on this page shows the base starting price. After you place an order, we'll give you a sales quote detailing all the parts you've chosen for your customized Road & Track Box, showing the current pricing.
What's my next step, you ask? Go to the Options tab.
Customizing your Road & Track Box means choosing the best combination of parts for your Mustang from the available options. Listed below are the available versions for each part in the Road & Track Box. You may be able to choose the most suitable version after reading through the descriptions in this section, but if you need help, knowing the available options makes your conversation with an MM Tech Associate go more smoothly. Just take it step by step, and all will become clear. Options appear in order of importance. Follow the links to the individual product pages and make note of your choices and questions.
Notes
As each Road & Track Box is customized to suit your needs, we can also delete any item you wish.
Getting started
- We need to know whether your Mustang is a convertible so we know whether to include a K-member brace. Select the correct option button above. Convertibles have a factory-installed X-brace that interferes with the MM 4-point k-member brace.
The heart of your Mustang's high-performance handling is the combination of springs and dampers. We've made things easy by already basing this package around our own Road & Track springs. These progressive springs have a front rate of 650-750 lb/in. That's as high as we ever recommend for a street-driven Mustang, and is only slightly higher than the stock spring rates of the Bullitt, Mach One, and 2003-04 Cobra models.
Dampers
Choose dampers from 3 brands, all well-suited for this package. Factors to consider are whether you may ever convert to coil-overs, and if you want damper adjustability. Keep in mind that adjustable dampers require adjustment to match the springs and your Mustang. Feel free to consult with an MM Tech Associate before choosing.
Coil-over note
Standard Bilstein rear shocks require modifications for a coil-over conversion. If a future coil-over conversion is a possibility, alert us; we can include shocks that are already modified.
Choose Your Version
Several parts are available in different versions. Read about the differences between versions, then make your choice. All option choices listed below may be specified in the Additional Information field on the first checkout page, or call us and speak with an MM Sales or Tech Associate.
Caster Camber PlatesChoose the main plate finish.
Good work! Now go to the Options 2 tab.
Subframe Connectors Choose the finish of the
MM Full-length Subframe Connectors:
- Bare steel (you paint)
- Black powder coating
Rear Lower Control ArmsChoose the series of MM rear lower control arms. The differences between the 3 different series are in the bushings used and the horsepower rating. Each series has an adjustable ride-height version; specify the control arm part number in the comments field at checkout.
- Sport series are rated to 400rwhp, with urethane bushings at both ends.
- Heavy-Duty series are rated to 400rwhp, with a spherical bearing at one end for better axle control.
- Extreme-Duty series are rated up to 1,000rwhp (600 rwhp for the adjustable-height version) because there are spherical bearings at both ends.
Steering ShaftChoose the shaft that matches your steering rack:
Panhard BarChoose the surface finish of the aluminum rod:
- Standard natural finish (MMPBA)
- Polished aluminum finish (option)
Front Swaybar bushings
Choose the bushing size to match your swaybar
Strut Tower Brace
Choose the appropriate MM Strut Tower Brace of the 4 available for 1996-1998 Mustangs and Cobras. Note that aftermarket parts such as superchargers and cold air kits may interfere with a strut tower brace and prevent installation.
Standard Parts
The standard items included in the Road & Track Box, for which there is only one version, are listed on the Features tab.
You're almost done! Now go to the Options 3 Tab.
More Options: The Most Popular Parts to Add
All option choices listed below may be specified in the Additional Information field on the first checkout page, or call us and speak with an MM Sales or Tech Associate.
Front Coil-overs
By far the most popular option to add to a Road & Track Box. If you choose to add a front coil-over conversion, we'll need to know what front spring rate you'd like. Please read our Guide to Choosing Spring Rates and Dampers. We'll match a stock-location rear spring to your chosen front coil-over rate. For typical street-driven Mustangs we recommend front spring rates ranging from 250 lb/in to 325 lb/in. Front coil-over rates over 325 lb/in will also require a rear coil-over conversion. Need help selecting a spring rate? Contact an MM Tech Associate.
Befuddled? Impatient? Hopelessly lost? Contact us.
What does the Road & Track Box do?
It improves your Mustang's handling to the highest level possible for the stock suspension design. When you want your Mustang to handle optimally for the stock design while retaining street manners, you need the Road & Track Box. The Road & Track Box gives you faster and more stable cornering, which means more fun!
- Improves handling
- Quickens steering response
- Retains daily driving ride quality
- Allows aggressive performance alignment settings or setting the alignment within OEM specification
- Improves cornering grip
- Provides greater stability
- Vastly improves predictability
- Reduces wheel hop
- Restores front bump travel after lowering
- Increases chassis rigidity
- Reduces bushing compliance
- Easily upgraded for even higher performance levels with an MM Torque-arm and/or MM Coil-over Conversion
For the highest level of handling performance, see the Maximum Grip Box.
The base level 1996-1998 Mustang Road & Track Box includes:
Choice of dampers
Choice of MM Caster Camber Plates
Choice of MM
Full-length Subframe Connectors
Choice of MM Rear Lower Control Arms
Choice of MM Solid Steering Shaft
Choice of MM Strut Tower Brace
Now go to the Features 2 tab.
Choice of MM Panhard Bar rod's surface finish:
- Standard natural finish (MMPBA)
- Polished aluminum finish (option)
Choice of front swaybar bushings
Optional Add-on Parts: Contact an MM Tech Associate to customize your Road & Track box with these or other upgrades:
For the highest level of handling performance, see the Maximum Grip Box.
Confused? Got questions? Contact us.
Fits
- 1996-1998 Mustang and Mustang Cobra, hard top and convertible
What's the difference between the Road & Track Box and the Maximum Grip Box?
The Road & Track Box replaces stock items with parts that provide much higher performance. It retains the stock suspension design. The Maximum Grip Box changes the basic Mustang suspension design; it changes the rear suspension to a Torque-arm (a variation of a 3-link) and changes the front suspension geometry significantly.
The Maximum Grip Box includes many more items, so there's a significant difference in the cost of these two Grip Boxes.
Is there anything in between these 2 Grip Boxes?
Yes. The Road & Track Box can be customized. The most popular option is to change from the conventional stock-location front springs to coil-overs. This provides a significant reduction in body roll during cornering and much quicker steering response, while not adversely affecting ride quality; it's a win-win for performance and ride quality, a rarity.
Other popular customizations include adding a Torque-arm and a kit of front and rear swaybars. These all improve performance above that of the standard Road & Track Box, splitting the gap to the Maximum Grip Box.
Keep an eye on our Good Handling Is Fun newsletter, which contains tons of expert, practical information on how to set up your Mustang exactly the way you want.
We're working on FAQs for this product. If you have a question, please use our Contact Us page to email your question. We'll answer your question by return email, and also consider it for possible addition to this FAQ section.