Hello,
I'm new to this site so please forgive my ignorance. I've tried to search this site the past few days and can not find the answers I'm looking for so I'm making a post. I have a 1958 f-100 that I've had for years but just now finally able to get my truck worked on by a professional shop. I'm looking at a full frame off restoration but also bringing the suspension up to modern as well as power steering and brakes / disc brakes. I have three questions currently but will probably stumble across more too. First, I've decided that updating to a mustang II type suspension for my truck is the way to go but what about the rear suspension? Second, should I convert to EFI. Third, any ideas on wheels? I'm looking at some 20's but still not sure if they will fit. One last question I guess, has anyone else gone down this road and learned something I should know?

 

Welcome to the forum! When it comes to a rear end do you want a solid axle or IRS? The both have their good points and will work for you depending on what you wish to do or use your truck for.

20's will fit as the vintage has a fair bit of wheel well room.

D

 

I went with the Mustang II front end with power rack & pinion and Wilwood disc brakes. For the rear, I kept the 9" Ford, narrowed it, and added coil-over shocks with a 4-link setup. Wilwood discs on the back too. I am extremely pleased with the ride and handling.

EFI is a personal choice and would probably add to your reliability and dependability. If I were doing it I'd be looking at the aftermarket kits like Holley and such, there's a lot of support for those.

The wheel wells should have no problem accepting the 20's, and again that's a matter of preference.

 

Thanks for the help dman and danleig, I was leaning towards a solid axle on the rear rather than the IRS. But was also thinking about disc brakes in the rear.

The more I research about carb vs EFI it does seem that it is a personal preference, debatable pros and cons on both sides. I'd like EFI for the ease of daily driving but part of me feels like my 312 Y Block should stay with a 4 BBL.

Thanks again for the help.

 

No problem glad to help. I assume you will be running a 5x4.5 wheel bolt pattern? I would use a rear end from a1995 to 2001 explorer which will get you an 8.8 rear end with 31 spline axle and you get disc brakes with it. It's 59-1/2" wide.

EFI is nice but for $3000 it is definitely a creature comfort with a significant cost. I have it and like it a lot but you really have to want it. You'd be better of getting a donor mod motor and do that setup.

I'm installing a 4.6 3V with 5spd from a 2006 mustang which I picked up for $2500. If you have a good y block then the extra cost doesn't make sense but if you need to do a rebuild with machining then a newer platform may make sense, unless you are more of a original as possible type builder.

D