So I purchased a 1955 f100 4 months ago and now have completed all my research. I usually build gm muscle cars and have a lot of experience " making things work". One issue I never ran into was this solid axle ... whoa talk about throwing me for a loop usually I just get stiffer springs poly bushings rebuild the front end and done. Man this was a whole new ball game. I like to plan my builds and assign a budget with reserve in case I run into a problem. So after going over things and also getting a smoking deal on a wrecked police cruiser with 50k im going the panther front swap. Now I have read over and over again but no conclusive info about this swap. Well out comes the tape measure and plumb bobs and 2 weeks later my decision is we ( me and my father) can make this work. So our first course of action is getting that front end secured into the truck which Im thinking will take about 3 days thats including the wielding. Next we will be doing the motor, now being the Gm guy that I am I have a 383 stroker sitting in plastic wrap ready to go with a turbo 350 ( was suppose to go into my 67 camaro but decided im going 502 instead). Yes i know blasphemy and before you start flaming me keep reading. So I felt bad cause I didnt want to do this but damn are ford crate motors overpriced yes I call a spade a spade for no reason are these parts marked up for sheer profit. The 302 has been around damn near as long as a 350 and Im not spending 3800 for a long block rated at 340 hp with all the power being built in higher rpms. This is where the police cruiser comes into play I lucked into a old article from one of the mags that showed a carb 4.6 ( I really dont want all those electronics in my 55 truck) so as I read further and got more info I learned about this controller and intake made for the 4.6 that allows the use of carb but kept the factory coilpacks and let tune via laptop. I was sold my soul conflict was over Im going to have a "completely" Ford truck. I also read a ton of reviews and talked to owners of this system and they love it the simplicity of a carb and computer tune-ability of a efi. I now placed my order with that company that beings with a "S" and ends with a "T" (dont know if I can mention stores on the board) and patiently waiting on all my parts so I can begin my build. Oh yeah not to mention the horrid weather thats occuring in Cali at this time. So this is what im looking at

Front suspension = 2005 crown vic coil over system "Panther"
Rear suspension = No limit engineering leafs with 8.8 rearend
Motor = 2005 4.6 carb with Edelbrock intake holley 570 street avenger and mod 6011 ignition controller
Transmission = 4rw70 with bauman transmission controller.

I will post when I can how its going and soon as the fenders are back on the front suspension look. Also I was going aftermarket wheels to begin with so no biggie with the positive offset for me I may even roll around on the steel cop wheels for the time being more of the look im going for less = more.

 

Sounds like a awesome project!! post pictures of the build if you can!!

 

Can't wait to see some pics! Sounds like a great project

Bobby

 

Yeah I cant wait and as soon as the suspension is bolted in im taking pics. Hopefully this will bring a well priced solution to the whole ifs thing. Has anyone here ran the 4.6 carburated? What was your opinion? From what Ive hear you can get some significant gains this way.