hi guys!
hi guys!
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: north ga
hi guys!
Hey everybody. Ive been reading this board for a while to get some ideas on my new project. Its helped me alot since ive been gathering so many parts! I stumbled upon my truck late last year after looking for a year or so. Its a 54 F100, in line 6 3 speed. It is in surprisingly good shape. i drove it home! about 30miles! runs fine, exept the brakes arent the greatest... lol it has a couple of small rust holes below the pedals. thats the only rust, other than the usual surface rust. Ive begun to pull the frontend and the bed off. it seems to be going smoothly so far.. but im going to take my time with it. Its gonna be my pride and joy! I was just wondering, what type of suspension does everybody recommend?? i am a pretty decent welder and im not afraid to modify a little. I am going to use this truck as a weekend cruiser. i have built a 351 and an AOD to run in it. Just wondering from some more experienced people! Thanks for the help everybody!!
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 2
From: Northwest Fl
hi guys!
Welcome to FTE. Unless you plan to keep the suspension stock and rebuild it, most mods seem to be with various IFS suspensions, the more popular being the mustang II. Try typing in IFS in the search funtion and you should get tons of information. Good Luck
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: north ga
hi guys!
Yeah the MII frontend seems to be the #1 choice. that is most likely the route i will go. I have a friend who owns a early chevy.. im not a chevy person, but his truck has a MII type front, and a 4 link rear with air shocks. it rides nicely. i am opting toward a 4 link since i will want it pretty low, and ive heard about that ppl have clearance problems pretty frequently in the rear. just not sure about the best route. thank ya!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
hi guys!
I have a volarie clip on my 54 f100. I am very happy with it. I can tell you about a problem I had on the rear half of the truck though. A friend suggested that I add air shocks for the rear so that I could control the height better. It was riding too low because the prior owner had removed too many leaf springs. I spint $70 and used up an hour of my valuable refurbishing time installing the shocks. The new height looked great, but the ride was way too stiff. Even at the minimum pressure required by the shock manufacturer, the truck was absolutely no fun to drive. So, I put in two more springs on each side and the problem was fixed. Except for the part where I had to find somebody who wanted a set of slightly used air shocks. John T
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
hi guys!
The Dakota conversion is becoming quite popular with pickup owners.
Sure beats using an overstressed M11 clone. Trucks need truck parts unless they will be trailer queens.
http://www.industrialchassisinc.com./
Sure beats using an overstressed M11 clone. Trucks need truck parts unless they will be trailer queens.
http://www.industrialchassisinc.com./
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,440
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County, CA
hi guys!
Welcome aboard FTE forum 
I'm going with a Dakota crossmember from Industrial Chassis with suspension components from a V8 Dodge Dakota for my '59 Styleside. Again, Like "286merc" said, "trucks need truck parts", and I believe him !
Good luck whichever way suits your fancy and welcome again!!!
Daryl
I'm going with a Dakota crossmember from Industrial Chassis with suspension components from a V8 Dodge Dakota for my '59 Styleside. Again, Like "286merc" said, "trucks need truck parts", and I believe him !
Good luck whichever way suits your fancy and welcome again!!!
Daryl
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 2
From: Northwest Fl
hi guys!
I couldn't agree more with the 'trucks need truck parts" statement, that is the main reason I have mine sitting on a modified Twin-I-Beam suspension and frame (all Ford and all truck).
I know it's a very un-popular choice when it comes to IFS, most folks opt for more sporty handling and better looks of more modern suspensions, but I know the old 70's Fords drove well, especially when compared to 50's stock suspensions and I also know how tough they were after growing up driving them.
I can run any size Ford engine, load it down any way I want and pull a variety of trailers/campers without much concern at the same time enjoying the more sought after conveniences of power steering and power disc brakes.
And since grown men can change their minds, I kept the original frame/suspension, just in case. The main thing is being happy with ‘your’ choice and to keep the old trucks alive.
I know it's a very un-popular choice when it comes to IFS, most folks opt for more sporty handling and better looks of more modern suspensions, but I know the old 70's Fords drove well, especially when compared to 50's stock suspensions and I also know how tough they were after growing up driving them.
I can run any size Ford engine, load it down any way I want and pull a variety of trailers/campers without much concern at the same time enjoying the more sought after conveniences of power steering and power disc brakes.
And since grown men can change their minds, I kept the original frame/suspension, just in case. The main thing is being happy with ‘your’ choice and to keep the old trucks alive.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
hi guys!
Tom
I'd love to see the I-beam truck. Are they in a gallery? Sorry if you already posted and I somehow missed it.
John
Before I die, I have made a note to someday haul a ton of broken cinder blocks and used shingles to Carl's house. Going to haul them in my Volare truck (one trip) and dump them at the end of his driveway while he is on vacation. We'll take pictures and mail him the scale ticket. Let me know if you want in. Couple loads would be even better.
I'd love to see the I-beam truck. Are they in a gallery? Sorry if you already posted and I somehow missed it.
John
Before I die, I have made a note to someday haul a ton of broken cinder blocks and used shingles to Carl's house. Going to haul them in my Volare truck (one trip) and dump them at the end of his driveway while he is on vacation. We'll take pictures and mail him the scale ticket. Let me know if you want in. Couple loads would be even better.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 2
From: Northwest Fl
hi guys!
Fenders, I have a photo of the frame in my gallery, I now have the cab on it now and am in the process of prepping the body panels for painting...hope to have it back together this summer. My only concerns now is the tract width, I have some pretty wide tires and wheels that came with the original frame and they may be too wide, maybe some special rims with a different offset will handle it if there is a problem.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: north ga
hi guys!
Thanks for all the input everybody! I know i have a lot of work ahead of me, but im looking forward to it. I bought a GM auto steering column and ordered my floorpans and bed strips along with some other goodies today! im very eager to start working! Ill post some "before" pics soon! i have a few, but im not sure where i put the disk with my truck pics! ill keep the board posted on the progress! adam
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 305
Likes: 2
From: in a house, near sherwood
hi guys!
Originally posted by fatfenders
Tom
John
Before I die, I have made a note to someday haul a ton of broken cinder blocks and used shingles to Carl's house. Going to haul them in my Volare truck (one trip) and dump them at the end of his driveway while he is on vacation. We'll take pictures and mail him the scale ticket. Let me know if you want in. Couple loads would be even better.
Tom
John
Before I die, I have made a note to someday haul a ton of broken cinder blocks and used shingles to Carl's house. Going to haul them in my Volare truck (one trip) and dump them at the end of his driveway while he is on vacation. We'll take pictures and mail him the scale ticket. Let me know if you want in. Couple loads would be even better.
Can i donate some cow crappolla for that load too... seeing as how carl has got plenty of bull crappolla?
Robert
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 2
From: Southern New Hampshire
hi guys!
Can i donate some cow crappolla for that load too... seeing as how carl has got plenty of bull crappolla?
Robert
Just what we need, someone that cant offer any constructive help but has a big flapping mouth.
Hey fenders, bring on the load! Thats not even a bucket full and I can use the fill.
No need to wait until vacation.
Robert
Just what we need, someone that cant offer any constructive help but has a big flapping mouth.
Hey fenders, bring on the load! Thats not even a bucket full and I can use the fill.
No need to wait until vacation.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
hi guys!
MyBlu54
Sorry for highjacking your thread. Back to your question, 351W with an AOD is a perfect drivetrain in my opinion. Good parts availablility for installing a smallblock Ford. The 351 is completely adequate in stock form.
I would recommend an IFS. Your new drivetrain will easily cruise at speeds far greater than the straight axle will allow comfort. If you want to retain all of your current hauling abilities, then the straight is probably the route to take. Scroll back on this forum and you will find and endless discussion on IFS vs straight axle.
If you don't possess the experience or budget for an IFS, that's cool too. It can be done later if you decide to.
Sorry for highjacking your thread. Back to your question, 351W with an AOD is a perfect drivetrain in my opinion. Good parts availablility for installing a smallblock Ford. The 351 is completely adequate in stock form.
I would recommend an IFS. Your new drivetrain will easily cruise at speeds far greater than the straight axle will allow comfort. If you want to retain all of your current hauling abilities, then the straight is probably the route to take. Scroll back on this forum and you will find and endless discussion on IFS vs straight axle.
If you don't possess the experience or budget for an IFS, that's cool too. It can be done later if you decide to.