Well another decision has been made in regards to the 56 project. Looks like its getting an ifs from a Lexus sc 400. It's almost a perfect fit and track width isn't an issue. I am just changing the metric studs out to match the rear . Should give me the drop I want and the ride I was looking for. Time to tear out the straight axle. Pics to follow when I have progress to report. Thanks to lexcoe for his input and a crossmember. He does some great fab work..

 

good choice!

 

Thanks AX , I think it will meet all demands . Ride, handling, height, track width, and it's still basically a bolt in . Crush tubes in between the frame rails and boxing much like the crown Vic without any of the size issues.

 

Curt, glad i could help, you can be the US pioneer. John

 

John didn't know you were offering you crossmember I might have to keep my eye out for a Lexus. Any progress on the IRS install?

 

I have found them here in San Diego and in the LA area. There are a couple of places that specialize in the SCs...I think they have a bigger market in the interior and body parts so the suspensions seem to be plentiful and relatively inexpensive.

 

Nice idea cdl. Havnt herd of that swap is it easier than the crown Vic.havent decided what I want to do with my front end

 

new guy, its actually a really cool install. Been doing a lot of research and measuring as of late. I was leaning towards the crown vic also, but i really didnt want to run that sort of wheel. The lexus ifs gives all of what the cv does without the width issues. Ride, handling, and basically a bolt in. Check out the threads on the cv before you take the plunge. it really doesnt leave you with much room for any kind of wheels.(at least if your looking at the 03 and up). Before that they are a little narrower but its more of a frame graft.lexcoe has some great pics of the one he is doing now, and charlieled has about all the measurements on the 03 and up cv.If your ok with running an almost flat wheel then it will work great. It just wont work for me and the look i was going for. The sc ifs still will. they are even the same bolt pattern, they just use metric threads. Thanks to lexcoe and charlieled for your guys help.
Curt

 

Thanks for the info will check out other threads. What year sc400 are u using

 

you will be looking for a 92-97 and either an sc 300 or 400 will work. only difference is spring weight. The 400 was the V-8 and the 300 was a V-6. All other parts are the same. Try to find the 400 if possible, but you can change the springs or just trade them out for coil-overs. the lexus motors were all alloy so the will be a little lighter, thats why i went with the 400. At least around here though the 300 is more plenitful.

 

Yes he does good work. He made up a center support for my grille, a U shaped, dog leg looking piece and it is great. He showed me photos of some lovely motorbike restorations he has done and so he currently has my 1970 Kawasaki Mach 111 500 motorcycle to bring back to life for me. I have had it for some years and apart from my getting the motor rebuilt some time ago, I have done nothing with it other than pull it to pieces. I am really looking forward to getting it back all shiny and new.

I am looking forward to a progress report soon, parts should be back from chromers, frame painted and wheels polished and going together.

Getting back to the Lexus front end, if I had a standard front end I would be keen to do that swap. However mine has a nova front end and I imagine it would be a major job to redo it now and the Nova works ok.

 

Nothing wrong with the nova. There have been other front ends that used the nova brakes and calipers . Plenty of strength and stopping power.

 

CDL, thanks for the confidence boost, I gather the 74 Nova front end is the same as about 67 or so Camaro. The biggest problem is the different wheel pattern. Although I was speaking to a bloke recently and he talked about several ways to put Ford pattern discs on it.

 

Yea there are several ways to change bolt pattern. Redrill is probably the easiest . There are several companies that will do it. I have had moser do a set for a pro street alcohol pinto I built several years ago. Any machine shop can do it. Last ones I had done were about 60 bucks an axle. There are lots if threads on the subject too!

 

Several machine shops I spoke to didn't seem too keen to redrill the front discs, they preferred to change the rear axles to match the front, which would give me GM 5 x 4.75 all round. Most of what this bloke said just went over my head, but he seemed to know his stuff. I am sure he said basically a new bearing and a spacer would allow an Australian Falcon disc and caliper I presume, to fit on the GM assembly. I will pursue it further with him when I get to that stage of fiddling around with things already done and working.