Okay so about a year ago I was hung how on getting my 1951 F1 running for my local summertime graffiti cruise. I cut corners and did things the wrong way just to get it running and driving (Believe me I know it was dumb). Long story short the truck never made it to graffiti and I lost a lot of interest after that. I decided to do it right this time and stripped the whole body off the frame and bought a xj6 doner for a jag ifs swap. As soon as the jag was in my possession I tore in and stripped everything sellable and made my money back on the jag and still kept all the parts I needed or thought were useful on my truck is; ifs, PS system, steering column, seats, and brake booster/pedal assembly. The jag had been leaking oil for along time and covered the ifs in oil, dirt, and grime so I stripped the its down and cleaned all the parts making sure to take pictures of everything. I did my research and decided welding/hard mounting to the frame would give me what I wanted from the suspension so I cut the mounts off the front and cleaned everything up nicely.
Soon after I decided to turn my attention to the frame. Cutting the speedway motor mount I installed with the factory leaf suspension and all the factory mounts for the leafs and steering box. Now I'm left with this <a href="http://s926.photobucket.com/user/treybo_32/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140611_134146135_HDR.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i926.photobucket.com/albums/ad104/treybo_32/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140611_134146135_HDR.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20140611_134146135_HDR.jpg"/></a>
And of course I didn't take the precautions to measure where the axle centerline was or the centerline on the jag ifs.
I'm a little bit confused on where to go or what to do now. Should I put the jag ifs back together and bolt the stock suspension back on my frame and start over or can someone help me with some ideas or information where to put the cross member? Are the bump stops on axle centerline factory? They look to be but I don't want to go off that without some advice from someone who has done this swap before....
Any info will help. I'm a young kid who gets too exited and jumps elbows deep into a project before stopping and thinking what should come first.
Thanks guys I hope someone can assist me.

 

Should be 21 1/2" from the back of the jag engine mount plate to the front of the ford crossmember, at least that is where mine is . Lots of pics and measurements in my build thread.

 

There are a few of us on here that have done the swap. Search - Jag IFS here and I attached a link on the HAMB where others have done the swap is F1's and other vehicles.

Search Results | The H.A.M.B.

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48 Ford F1 - Darkside
46 Ford Tudor - Street Rod

"If you see my Truck on a trailer, call the cops, it's being stolen"

 

Thanks guys, would I be okay going with the mesurments you went with on your front most xmember? Also does anyone have the original wheelbase on hand for these trucks so once I get it set in place I can check to be sure everything is inline.

 

are those jag seat by the wall

 

Yes sir they are!

 

anyone else have a jag IFS welded in that they could compare numbers to what I got? Pics are in my build thread where I measured from and to. I am curious if others came up with the same measurement.

 

I would like that info also
trey are you going to put the seats in the f1?

 

I plan on having them re covered without the head rests and also using some small pieces of the jag center console!

 

I think I'll use my jag seats then if they fit have you fryer them

 

I have already test fit them in the cab with the console pieces i kept, it all fit nice and snug! Just have to build some brackets to mount it all up.

 

Here's what I would do. IIRC, the wheelbase is 114". Several guys have posted diagrams showing chassis measurements, one of them can confirm that measurement. Drop a plumb line from your rear axle. Measure 114" from that line to establish the front axle center line. Draw your lines on the floor. Make sure the lines are parallel and square. Assemble the front enough to find the center of the axle on the jag subframe. Match the jag axle center to the line on the floor. The hardest part will be getting a good measurement on the jag. The measurement from the back of the axle stub will be more accurate than from the outer end. Turn the spindle side to side and you'll see what I mean. If you leave the spring plate out you may be able to drop a line directly from the axle stub to the floor. Other wise you may have to measure back a few inches, drop a line, then measure forward the same amount to get around the lower control arm.

 

That seems like the best way for me to go about it. I'm planning on doing it this Sunday( I plan on setting my go PR up to video the whole process). I'll first run all the measurements and throw the a arms and spindle back on the ifs to get the best centerline. Now just an idea but would measuring the point the rack bolts to to the frame after the ifs is centered allow the spindles to be square? Just a thought....
After I get the centerline and wheelbase all squared away I'll tack it in place and check the measurements from the motor mount pad to the cross member like earlier stated too see how close I come to his measurements. I have read a few posts on guys moving the axle center back a few inches is that all to preference or is it a must? I'm not certain which wheels and tire I'm going to use or I would throw one on and check it with the fender.

 

No need to reassemble the IFS. I cant see my build pics right now but one of the upper control arm mounting holes just happens to line up with the spindle center line. Put a string across those holes to locate the front center line.
You dont have a few inches to play with, I am sure you will be within 1/2" or less of my measurements..unless my cab and fender were way off position when I did the setup!

 

Moving the axle forward is something the F100 guys do. Their trucks have larger fender openings and stock the axle is toward the rear of the opening. F1's don't have that. You'll want the tire centered.
AFA my comment about the spindles..as the spindles turn left and right, the end of the axle moves fore and aft. This means the spindles must be perfectly straight for you to get an accurate location. The back side of the axle stub is close to the center line of the spindle, meaning it moves much less fore and aft when turned. That's where I would take the wheel base measurement. It still needs to be square and centered and once the wheel base is established, I'd take multiple measurements to check for square, center, and wheelbase before tacking it. Don't let anyone trip over it until it's tacked.