volare front ifs install
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
volare front ifs install
I just got mine back from front end alignment last week. Aligned easily with the use of zero shims. I used No Limit video angles instead of templates. Sounds like both approaches take out the guesswork.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
volare front ifs install
Poolpro,
Congrats on the IFS install. We're looking forward to some pictures. If you could offer any suggestion as to the toughest part of the process or any part of the installation that you did one way and would do it another the next time around, let us know. I'll be doing mine soon and would be insterested in any pitfalls to watch for.
Congrats on the IFS install. We're looking forward to some pictures. If you could offer any suggestion as to the toughest part of the process or any part of the installation that you did one way and would do it another the next time around, let us know. I'll be doing mine soon and would be insterested in any pitfalls to watch for.
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
volare front ifs install
GREATNORTHWOODS,Vern
Some may not agree with me on this & it may take a little longer but I cut the frame with a cutting wheel not a torch, makes a better lint to weld to. Also I used the templates because it took out all the guess work out of angles & pitch the suspension needs to be set at. I will say the template for the boxing the frame is worthless because there will be gaps on the bottom of frame to suspension, so I made my own template for that by using cardboard & a compass & tracing out the top of the suspension to the cardboard. Made for a much stronger & nicer look.
When I get the pictures devoleped I will have them on line to try & help all who need it.
I now have the engine mounts built I getting enging ready for rebuild. Today I'm installing the Imperial Rear End.
Tnx for the reply
Mike
Some may not agree with me on this & it may take a little longer but I cut the frame with a cutting wheel not a torch, makes a better lint to weld to. Also I used the templates because it took out all the guess work out of angles & pitch the suspension needs to be set at. I will say the template for the boxing the frame is worthless because there will be gaps on the bottom of frame to suspension, so I made my own template for that by using cardboard & a compass & tracing out the top of the suspension to the cardboard. Made for a much stronger & nicer look.
When I get the pictures devoleped I will have them on line to try & help all who need it.
I now have the engine mounts built I getting enging ready for rebuild. Today I'm installing the Imperial Rear End.
Tnx for the reply
Mike
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
volare front ifs install
Poolpro
A torch does leave a nasty edge to deal with. I used a sawzall on mine. A plasma cutter would also work well but I didn't have access to one. What kind of cutoff wheel did you use? Mine doesn't have enough power for a job like that.
Where did you get templates for a 1960 F100? What angle did you end up with on the clip (with the frame level, how far back does the clip tilt using the templates?)
Please share PICs when you can and sorry for so many questions.
A torch does leave a nasty edge to deal with. I used a sawzall on mine. A plasma cutter would also work well but I didn't have access to one. What kind of cutoff wheel did you use? Mine doesn't have enough power for a job like that.
Where did you get templates for a 1960 F100? What angle did you end up with on the clip (with the frame level, how far back does the clip tilt using the templates?)
Please share PICs when you can and sorry for so many questions.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
volare front ifs install
Poolpro,
I don't own a torch or a sawzall, but was planning to do most of the cutting with a cut off wheel also. Between that, a hack saw, a chisel and a jigsaw, I hope to get it trimmed out enough (if indeed I cut the frame at all as I'm still holding out until the last minute for the possibility of a bolt-in installation). I've heard good and bad about the templates, but since I've already sprung for the video, I'll probably forego the templates. Another thing I need to decide on is what to do about boxing plates. I know there are ready made boxing plates available for 53-56 but haven't seen any for 48-52s. I don't know how well the 53-56 plates would work on my 48. It might be easier to buy those and make modifications on them than to make all my own like you did. Thanks for the info.
I don't own a torch or a sawzall, but was planning to do most of the cutting with a cut off wheel also. Between that, a hack saw, a chisel and a jigsaw, I hope to get it trimmed out enough (if indeed I cut the frame at all as I'm still holding out until the last minute for the possibility of a bolt-in installation). I've heard good and bad about the templates, but since I've already sprung for the video, I'll probably forego the templates. Another thing I need to decide on is what to do about boxing plates. I know there are ready made boxing plates available for 53-56 but haven't seen any for 48-52s. I don't know how well the 53-56 plates would work on my 48. It might be easier to buy those and make modifications on them than to make all my own like you did. Thanks for the info.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
volare front ifs install
Vern
I think you will find the box plates aren't too bad to make. You can make the patterns with cardboard and transfer to sheetmetal. Cut out with a jigsaw or a sawzall. I would try to borrow a sawzall if you can.
The problem with buying your plates is that no two Volare installs are quite identical. You are attaching the frame to a non-precision part of the Volare. (The non mount portion of the K-member) You need to put in the clip at the proper angle, not to matchup to some storebought boxing plates.
You can certainly attempt to bolt in. When you get the clip in position under the F-1 frame, you will soon see that you can't achieve the prescribed angles without putting your truck several inches higher than stock and fabbing some horrendous looking brackets at the rear of the clip. There is a reason why the Volare cut in the frame is at such an angle. It is the only way to achieve proper front end alignment whrenyou are done.
I'll shut up and stop preaching about this now.
I think you will find the box plates aren't too bad to make. You can make the patterns with cardboard and transfer to sheetmetal. Cut out with a jigsaw or a sawzall. I would try to borrow a sawzall if you can.
The problem with buying your plates is that no two Volare installs are quite identical. You are attaching the frame to a non-precision part of the Volare. (The non mount portion of the K-member) You need to put in the clip at the proper angle, not to matchup to some storebought boxing plates.
You can certainly attempt to bolt in. When you get the clip in position under the F-1 frame, you will soon see that you can't achieve the prescribed angles without putting your truck several inches higher than stock and fabbing some horrendous looking brackets at the rear of the clip. There is a reason why the Volare cut in the frame is at such an angle. It is the only way to achieve proper front end alignment whrenyou are done.
I'll shut up and stop preaching about this now.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: Blenheim, Ontario, Canada
volare front ifs install
Tonight on my home from work, I dropped in on a guy just up the road and he's doing a 53. I noticed an interesting variation on the Volare install. a bolt-in - well almost. One of the previous owners had set up his frame so that the volare crossmember bolted to some brackets through the rubber mounts. This previous owner had lopped the frame off just behind the Volare and welded in what looked like 2 x 3 tubing level with the top of the frame. then he had welded angle brackets on and bolted the crossmember to these brackets through the rubber biscuit. It looked pretty decent, the stance of the truck was reasonably low although his upper a-arms were angling up a fair bit. i suggested he get the dropped spindles from Fatman and then crank some more suspension travel into his bars. BTW he had a flip front end so his rad mount and front sheetmetal mounting didn't matter so much.
As well, he had not heard of FTE so I tuned him in to this forum.
As well, he had not heard of FTE so I tuned him in to this forum.
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