Ok guys. Tore into my 54 project today to get ready to install the mustang 2 crossmember i bought. I have not bought the suspension peices yet....can i get some imput on whether to use stock or 2" drop spindles? I wont be using air ride and i need some thought on ride height. Also what about spring rates? It will be a big block truck.

 

Install the crossmember and your a-arms. Set the truck at the ride height you want with the wheels you intend to run. Measure the height of the spindle and buy the ones that meet your needs. Not all crossmembers are the same and not all are installed the same...the best way to go is to fit the spindles to your truck after the welding has been completed. If that doesn't work for you then pick one and go with it...if it doesn't suit your needs then buy the other ones, they aren't that pricey.

 

Thanks thats what i figured. Have u done a mustang 2 suspension on one of these trucks?

 

What Charlie said. To add a little bit, though im not sure what year truck you have, Here are some pictures of my truck with 2 inch drop spindles. It has about a soda cans worth of clearance at the back of the front fender.






Edit: Should have paid more attention to your original post. You clearly state that yours is a 54 so my post is no help.

 

Mustang II, Corvette C4, Volare, Crown Vic, etc. Anyone who plays with enough of these trucks has down pretty much everything that there is to be done to them...some things they will even admit to!

 

Say Nick, are your lower control arms parallel to the floor as it sits in the photo?

 

Yes they are. In that picture, I had all-thread in place of the shocks to hold the front end up before I got springs. That way I could make sure that the truck was sitting at the appropriate ride height.

 

Sounds like you have done quite a few of these trucks....ive already ran into a problem...my crossmember instructions say 19 3/4"from front spring shackle center hole should be center of axle but its not ,the axle looks to be nearly an inch behind that measurement....any thoughts?

 

Common issue, Ford did not do such a good job with centering the front wheels on these trucks. If you do a search on photos of stock F100s you will see that the wheels appear to sit too far back in the wheel opening. Aftermarket IFS vendors will compensate for this by moving the axle center from 1.0 to 1.25 inches.


You can see it real well in this pic:

 

Sounds like the safest bet is to reinstall cab and front end to make sure im where i need to be....you dont know if theres any differences in the f250 frame and f100 besides length? Mines a f250 frame im going to shorten.

 

Frame is identical except longer between cab and rear axle and behind rear springs. to make a 250 frame match an F100 frame you must shorten it in 2 places.

 

Here is a picture of the project I'm working on now, it had a Heidts superide 2 with stock spindles . The measurement you stated of 19 3/4" front the front spring perch does center the wheel in the opening with this cross member. I have 500 lb springs on coil over shocks and my lower control arm is parallel with the floor.

 

Looks good. What engine tranny combo with those springs?

 

Mustang II with two inch drop spindles without engine and transmission.

 

Hey Byk,
Welcome Aboard! I would throw in a vote for Mustang II IFS with no drop spindles.
You'll see a 3 or 4 inch drop just from the new suspension. A pic of our truck with No Limit
Engineering Mustang II IFS with standard spindles is attached. It's lower than stock but not in the weeds.

A lot of sad Baylor fans down here this week.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1