hi there everyone,
my first time on here and i got some big questions that need an answer to .
i am in the uk and have a 49 f1 with a bronco 302 and auto box the suspension is absolutely bog stock with leaf springs on all four corners. because the roads over here are not the best and i find the truck is very bouncy. has anyone fitted an independant front end and what type have you used i looked at jaguar but i want to keep it all ford based,so what i want to do is fit a mustang 2 front end and i need some recomendations as to what kit to buy and also if you have had any problems such as steering faileur. my budget is around $2000 so i am looking to do this on a shoe string any help or info will be greatfully appreciated.
richard

 

Welcome. Here's the deal. I have an original stock F1 and another project F1 with a newly installed Mustang II kit (Chassis Engineering bolt in). You're looking at close to your budget before its all said and done on the price of the kit alone, which leaves little for the other essential components. I drove both trucks on the absolute worst roads in the mountains of KY. I would highly doubt the UK is much worse. My project truck has a 302. If your 302 has a front sump oil pan, you're looking at having to convert it to a dual sump system with a new oil pickup if you go with the MII because it will most likely hit the steering rack (i.e. more money). Then a heavily modified or new steering column (cash register rings again). On that budget, I highly recommend re-vamping your front original suspension with new king pins, a disc brake conversion, etc. If everything is in good shape, you CAN drive it with the 302 very well.

As far as keeping it "Ford" with a Mustang II kit, the kits nowadays are so far removed from the original MII front ends that it is almost a name recognition only at this point. We need pics! Welcome again.

 

Welcome to FTE! Since you have a 302 in the truck you have already ventured to the dark side so why bother to keep everything Ford. There should be lots of Jaguars in the salvage yards in the UK. I'd certainly consider that suspension before going to the expense of a MII kit (which as Doc said isn't really Ford either). Besides, Ford owned Jaguar for about 20 years. Doesn't that count?

 

Welcome to the forum! I have a JAG IFS in mine, but I am a long way from driving it. I got SOME pics in "my albums" so you can click on my username and then somewhere on the page(to the right I think) you can find my albums.
expense wise, a good way to go. I bought mine for $300. Some of the MII kits run up around your $2000 budget and then some. other members with JAG IFS:
Rusty Hopper, 49Willard, 48Steel, I know there are others, but just off the top of my head, this will get you some pics to look at.

 

If it's a bouncy ride you're concerned with, you might try different/better tires and dampers. (shock absorbers for the US crowd) They can make a huge difference in drivability and handling.

If you really want to go with MII IFS, for my money, Heidts is top of the line. Heidts Hot Rod & Muscle Car Parts - Suspension Systems, Camaro, Chevy, Ford, Disc Brakes, Superide But it will blow your budget. Like Doc said, the cost of the kit is just the beginning. There's a bunch of other bits you have to change to make it all work.