1965 Ford Mustang Fender Gap Questions

If you have ideas or need help with something, please send me an e-mail or post your findings on the VMF

The current measurements on the front and rear look like this:

Rim Center to bottom of Fender: 16 inches
Bottom of Tire to Fender: 27 inches

I do not know what the PO did, besides installing the three-hole bracket on the back of the car. I would like to get the fender gap down to 13 inches and the overall measurement down to ~24". I have brand new 205/65/15s tires on the front and have old 235/60/15s on the back (these will be replaced with the same size tire in a few months). The car is full of fluids and has been driven since the front-end was last lifted off of the ground. Any thoughts are ideas would be greatly appreciated!

#1

#2

#3

• If I move the leaf spring bolt (photo #1) down one or two holes, will the fender gap in #2 decrease? What do I need to do besides releasing and moving the bolt on each side? (Do I need to jack/support the rearend, etc.?)
• If I replace the suspension components in the front and add 620# 1"-drop springs, will I be able to decrease the fender gap in the front to the desired measurement? If not, what else needs to be done?