1972-1976 Torino Cougar Rear Suspension Question

Hey guys! Happy new year!
Okay, my 1974 Cougar needs rear upper control arm bushings and I'm not finding anything for it. I did, however, find a set of complete aftermarket upper control arms for the 1972-1976 Torino and Ranchero. The listing doesn't include my car in their fitment description.
Isn't my Cougar just a reskinned and rebadged 1974 Torino?
If anyone could back up or debunk my assertion that the Cougar and Torino of these years should use the same suspension components, I would be highly grateful.
I know the 1972 and 1973 Cougars are the same cars underneath as the 1972 and 1973 Mustangs. They switched to the full frame chassis like the Torino in 1974.

Thanks!
Bruce

1EFF100 wrote:Hey guys! Happy new year!
Okay, my 1974 Cougar needs rear upper control arm bushings and I'm not finding anything for it. I did, however, find a set of complete aftermarket upper control arms for the 1972-1976 Torino and Ranchero. The listing doesn't include my car in their fitment description.
Isn't my Cougar just a reskinned and rebadged 1974 Torino?
If anyone could back up or debunk my assertion that the Cougar and Torino of these years should use the same suspension components, I would be highly grateful.
I know the 1972 and 1973 Cougars are the same cars underneath as the 1972 and 1973 Mustangs. They switched to the full frame chassis like the Torino in 1974.

Thanks!
Bruce

"I think that "Genuine Suspension", (or some other company like them), made high performance "Polyurathane" inserts for them at one time. The inserts needed to use the original steel outer sleeves.
Maybe they are still available.

rmcomprandy wrote:

1EFF100 wrote:Hey guys! Happy new year!
Okay, my 1974 Cougar needs rear upper control arm bushings and I'm not finding anything for it. I did, however, find a set of complete aftermarket upper control arms for the 1972-1976 Torino and Ranchero. The listing doesn't include my car in their fitment description.
Isn't my Cougar just a reskinned and rebadged 1974 Torino?
If anyone could back up or debunk my assertion that the Cougar and Torino of these years should use the same suspension components, I would be highly grateful.
I know the 1972 and 1973 Cougars are the same cars underneath as the 1972 and 1973 Mustangs. They switched to the full frame chassis like the Torino in 1974.

Thanks!
Bruce

"I think that "Genuine Suspension", (or some other company like them), made high performance "Polyurathane" inserts for them at one time. The inserts needed to use the original steel outer sleeves.
Maybe they are still available.

Randy, was that company out of California? If so, it says their filing status has been suspended. So, I'm assuming they are no longer in business.
Thanks for the response.

Late '72 through '79 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury intermediates use the same rear upper control arm bushings and the same rear lower control arm bushings, unless they are the competition/police upper control arms. Spohn makes upper/lower control arms for these intermediates and are said to be good pieces.
These should work for the "standard" upper control arms: https://p-s-t.com/i-23160357-polygraphite-rear-end-control-arm-bushing-set.html#!year%3D1977%7C%7Cmake%3DFORD%7C%7Csubmodel%3DBASE%7C%7Cmodel%3DRANCHERO%20GT

Not sure why the application states these won't fit a '74 Mercury Cougar, the rear suspension is exactly the same as a '74 Gran Torino or Ranchero, even a '75 Thunderbird or '75 Lincoln Mark IV. I guess it's kinda like me using Hooker 6126's in my '79 Ranchero with a 472BBF, Hooker states they won't fit either. lol

Hope this helps.

aquartlow wrote:Late '72 through '79 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury intermediates use the same rear upper control arm bushings and the same rear lower control arm bushings, unless they are the competition/police upper control arms. Spohn makes upper/lower control arms for these intermediates and are said to be good pieces.
These should work for the "standard" upper control arms: https://p-s-t.com/i-23160357-polygraphite-rear-end-control-arm-bushing-set.html#!year%3D1977%7C%7Cmake%3DFORD%7C%7Csubmodel%3DBASE%7C%7Cmodel%3DRANCHERO%20GT

Hope this helps.

The Spohn upper control arms are the parts I found. I received an email back from them stating they have not confirmed that their arms will indeed fit the '74 Cougar. The respondent stated that we could take measurements and compare, my stock ones to their custom ones. I was actually in the process of messaging them back when I received an alert that you had responded to this post.

Thank you for the link to the bushings. I came across them as well in my search but was unsure if they would fit. On your recommendation I will order them if the Spohn control arms won't work.  

Thanks again, man. I appreciate it.  

FWIW, here is a pic of the competition/police rear upper control arm, the center of the arm is diamond shaped whereas the standard arm is round. Again, hope this helps.
https://forum.grantorinosport.org/uploads/457/Competition-Police_Upper_Control_Arm.jpg

Lots of good folks and good info can be found here for "our" intermediates.
https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forums.html

aquartlow wrote:FWIW, here is a pic of the competition/police rear upper control arm, the center of the arm is diamond shaped whereas the standard arm is round. Again, hope this helps.
https://forum.grantorinosport.org/uploads/457/Competition-Police_Upper_Control_Arm.jpg

Lots of good folks and good info can be found here for "our" intermediates.
https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forums.html

Spohn got back to me again and said after going through their notes on these control arms that they do in fact fit my car. So, I ordered a set. Hopefully they fit. lol.
I'll be back with an update here when they are installed.

1EFF100 wrote:

aquartlow wrote:FWIW, here is a pic of the competition/police rear upper control arm, the center of the arm is diamond shaped whereas the standard arm is round. Again, hope this helps.
https://forum.grantorinosport.org/uploads/457/Competition-Police_Upper_Control_Arm.jpg

Lots of good folks and good info can be found here for "our" intermediates.
https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forums.html

Spohn got back to me again and said after going through their notes on these control arms that they do in fact fit my car. So, I ordered a set. Hopefully they fit. lol.
I'll be back with an update here when they are installed.

Good deal! Glad to hear that they acknowledged that their product fits your application. I installed Energy Suspension bushings in the (4) rear control arms of my '79 Ranchero about 35 years ago, still doing their thing....
Keep us posted if possible.

Here are the Spohn control arms. Very nice pieces.
I bought the adjusting tool and installation bolts as well. I think the bolts and tool should be included with the arms, or at least the tool as it is mandatory for proper fit of the arms.
However, I'm not complaining. The tool and bolts weren't much and I'm just thankful someone makes these parts.
They build the lower control arms as well, but I went ahead and just installed stock bushings in the factory arms.

Well, as usual, I'm having trouble posting a pic on this forum. It's the only one I have problems with

1EFF100 wrote:Here are the Spohn control arms. Very nice pieces.
I bought the adjusting tool and installation bolts as well. I think the bolts and tool should be included with the arms, or at least the tool as it is mandatory for proper fit of the arms.
However, I'm not complaining. The tool and bolts weren't much and I'm just thankful someone makes these parts.
They build the lower control arms as well, but I went ahead and just installed stock bushings in the factory arms.

Well, as usual, I'm having trouble posting a pic on this forum. It's the only one I have problems with  

Those Spohn pieces are nice for sure. As an option, you could box the factory rear LCA's by using 1/8" flat stock that runs the length of the control arm and attaches to both bottom sides/rails, helps stiffen the factory pieces.