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Which Suspension???
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Junior User
Joined: May 2010
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From: Illinois
Which Suspension???
I'm getting ready to start my `58 stepside project. I've got my donor Mark VII that will give up it's engine, trans, rearend, and some of the interior. I thought my decision to use the CV front suspension was final. It's not. It's just too wide IMO. I'd rather not be limited to rim choices because of the offset required. I've looked into Volare, but don't want torsion bars. I've checked out the Dakota IFS, but the company no longer makes the swap kits. Rangers and S10's are too narrow. I know guys have made the Aerostar work by adding pieces to the frame and tilting the rack back, but is this the way to go?? I've also seen guys start on the Lexus SC400 swap, but I've never seen one finished. I don't really want to go with the MII on this truck. I'd rather use something a little beefier. I have no problems fabricating what is needed to make something work, I've done many IFS swaps before. I'm just stumped this time......
John
John
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 879
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From: Colorado Springs /Mesa AZ
Got to the search function here and look for IRS or IFS. There is information on both.
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46 Ford Tudor - Street Rod
48 Ford F1 - Custom
"If you drive a Chevy, you need a Goodwrench"
________________________________________
46 Ford Tudor - Street Rod
48 Ford F1 - Custom
"If you drive a Chevy, you need a Goodwrench"
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Jefferson City, MO
This sticky thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-articles.html
has several articles on IFS install. I recall an article that compared the pros and cons of several different options.
Found the article, it is in many parts. Here is part one.
Front Suspension Alternatives for 1948 - 1960 Ford Trucks, Part One .: Articles
has several articles on IFS install. I recall an article that compared the pros and cons of several different options.
Found the article, it is in many parts. Here is part one.
Front Suspension Alternatives for 1948 - 1960 Ford Trucks, Part One .: Articles
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
John,
Two questions come to mind. What do you have against torsion bars and what's not beefy about MII (aftermarket, of course)? I've used Volares in two trucks and I love the torsion bar setup because it's inexpensive, beefy, and it eliminates the need to experiment with coil springs...just set the T-bar height and ride. It provides a nice smooth ride. As far as the MII is concerned, I've seen the aftermarket units used under some very heavy vehicles...some much heavier than your truck. Sure, the stock units were lightweights but the aftermarket MII kits are plenty beefy. The only reason I didn't use one under my truck is the expense. The resemblance of the aftermarket MII to the original is nil! They call them MII suspensions only because they slightly resemble the originals but they are really a totally different suspension.
Two questions come to mind. What do you have against torsion bars and what's not beefy about MII (aftermarket, of course)? I've used Volares in two trucks and I love the torsion bar setup because it's inexpensive, beefy, and it eliminates the need to experiment with coil springs...just set the T-bar height and ride. It provides a nice smooth ride. As far as the MII is concerned, I've seen the aftermarket units used under some very heavy vehicles...some much heavier than your truck. Sure, the stock units were lightweights but the aftermarket MII kits are plenty beefy. The only reason I didn't use one under my truck is the expense. The resemblance of the aftermarket MII to the original is nil! They call them MII suspensions only because they slightly resemble the originals but they are really a totally different suspension.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 54
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From: Illinois
John,
Two questions come to mind. What do you have against torsion bars and what's not beefy about MII (aftermarket, of course)? I've used Volares in two trucks and I love the torsion bar setup because it's inexpensive, beefy, and it eliminates the need to experiment with coil springs...just set the T-bar height and ride. It provides a nice smooth ride. As far as the MII is concerned, I've seen the aftermarket units used under some very heavy vehicles...some much heavier than your truck. Sure, the stock units were lightweights but the aftermarket MII kits are plenty beefy. The only reason I didn't use one under my truck is the expense. The resemblance of the aftermarket MII to the original is nil! They call them MII suspensions only because they slightly resemble the originals but they are really a totally different suspension.
Two questions come to mind. What do you have against torsion bars and what's not beefy about MII (aftermarket, of course)? I've used Volares in two trucks and I love the torsion bar setup because it's inexpensive, beefy, and it eliminates the need to experiment with coil springs...just set the T-bar height and ride. It provides a nice smooth ride. As far as the MII is concerned, I've seen the aftermarket units used under some very heavy vehicles...some much heavier than your truck. Sure, the stock units were lightweights but the aftermarket MII kits are plenty beefy. The only reason I didn't use one under my truck is the expense. The resemblance of the aftermarket MII to the original is nil! They call them MII suspensions only because they slightly resemble the originals but they are really a totally different suspension.
I totally agree with you on the MII suspension. I've built many early Fords and Chevy's with them. The torsion bar setup, however, I am not a fan of. I don't care for the bars hanging under the vehicle, plus, I am looking for something that I can bag. I am keeping the bags on the Mark VII IRS, so it only makes sense to bag the front also. I am looking for something different this time. I am looking for something with big brakes, a swaybar, turn-on-a-dime handling and a track width more compatible with the truck than the Crown Vic. All of these things are "options" when building a MII. They are great suspensions, but I don't want to spend a ton of money to get those options. So now I am looking at alternatives. The Jag seems to be getting closer to the top of my list. I also saw somewhere that someone was considering a Lexus IFS. I'd like to see this swap finished. I appreciate all of the feedback on this subject!
John
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Colorado Springs /Mesa AZ
If you haven't already checked out my Gallery, do so. I have installed the Mark VIII IRS and the Jag IFS.
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46 Ford Tudor - Street Rod
48 Ford F1 - Custom
"Hot Rodders- America's First recyclers"
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46 Ford Tudor - Street Rod
48 Ford F1 - Custom
"Hot Rodders- America's First recyclers"
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From: Brentwood, TN
There is a way to control the ride height on a torsion bar front end...I have never seen it done before but my electrical engineering background tells me that it can be done. I would use a stepper motor with a gear reduction at the torsion bar height adjustor...just like you control the height of a bag with air you could control the tension on the torsion bars with an electrically adjustable mechanism. On aircraft the flaps and other flight control surfaces are controlled by such devices.