Ok,
the time has finally come to start doing this thing I have been reading about for 2 years now on the site. I am planning an IFS install, but I need to know where to start. I think I want to go with a Mustang II front end (just to keep it all Ford).
What year car am I looking for?
Is there any advantage to going for the Volare?
I plan on going to the salvage yard, and tearing one out, cleaning it up, and putting her in but what should I look for?

Thanks guys!

 

"I plan on going to the salvage yard, and tearing one out, cleaning it up, and putting her in but what should I look for?"

Look for something that will safely hold up to a 4000 lb vehicle in an emergency stop or hard corner. If the budget only allows salvage yard parts. Make sure they aren't heavily rusted. Look for something with brakes rotors that are 11" or larger.

Also, start re-reading all the old threads on this subject for the past 6 months. There are no free IFS installs. A safely rebuilt salvage yard IFS is going to cost you $500 if you get lucky. My Volare cost me almost $1000 in the end.

 

55,

Of the choices you mentioned, I would go with the Volare. There are advantages and disadvantages of both. The Mustang will get you lower (about 5 inches) than the Volare (about 3 inches), but dropped spindles can get it even lower). I would not be concerned too much with trying to keep it all Ford....especially the suspension just to use the Mustang II. Also, cost enters the picture as the Mustang will run you considerably more than the cost of the Volare since you have to buy a crossmember built especially for your truck. If you can find used Mustang II components, then you can cut the cost some but 74-78 Mustang II and 74-80 Pinto/Bobcat components are becoming scarce. Another advantage of the Volare is that you do not have to experiment with coil springs to set the ride height. You can just adjust the torsion bars. If you are looking for a salvage yard suspension that you can "tear out, clean up, and put in", you will be better off with the Volare as you cannot use the stock Mustang II crossmember under your truck. It is too narrow. If you go with the Volare, I would try to find the latest model RWD Chrysler 5th Avenue or New Yorker as you can up to 1989. I'm using an 87 New Yorker under my 48. Hope this helps.

 

I'm going with the Dakota crossmember kit from Industrial chassis($675 + S&H).

www.industrialchassisinc.com

and a '87-'96 Dakota front clip. I found a '88 at a local salvage yard, had my installer look at it with me. For $350 complete, all I'll need do is replace bushings, steering rod/boot, turn the rotors (or replace with new for ~$40 each), clean it, install it, and paint it. Badda-bing, badda-boom. I figure the whole thing will run about $1500.

Just an option I thought I'd throw out to ya....

Daryl

PS- if you find an application with a torsion bar that you can make work on your '55, it'd allow you to raise and lower the ride height. Cool feature!

 

I do plan on cleaning the entire front end up, and buying new parts for almost everything. It would be easier to have the front end, and slowly buy new stuff for it, than buy a new one already done. (saving $$ isnt my strong point) is the "volare" a type, or is it off of a Dodge Volare? and what year car am I looking for? Will any one fit? Like I said, this is my first time doing this and I need all the help I can get.

Thanks guys, Im gonna start reading.

 

Daryl,

The Dakota is a good choice. I think if I had to choose between the Mustang II and the Dakota, I'd go with the Dakota also. With the improving component parts availability of the Dakota, you can probably now install the Dakota for about the same as Mustang II.

55,

Any Chrysler torsion bar suspension of any year will go under your 55. They came on a variety of models and years from about 1975-1989. Plymouth, Dodge, and Chrysler RWD models all had them. The term "Volare" has been coined to describe this Chrysler 'K' member, and although they came in 75-79 Plymouth Volares and Dodge Aspens, they came in other models like Plymouth Fury, Chrysler New Yorker, Dodge Dart, etc. I'd try to find the latest model you can and perhaps rebuild costs could be kept lower. You can install the suspension and rebuild it before, during, or after installation. Mine is coming out of an 87 Chrysler 5th Avenue. No-Limit engineering sells a video showing how to put this suspension under a 53 Ford pickup. Get a copy and do it right. Good luck.

 

55

I posted a list a week ago or so but I don't recall which thread. F,J and M body Mopars all used the "L" shaped torsion bar IFS.

A character around here named Blue Oval Rage touts the Mopar straight torsion bar arrangement. I have seen it and it also looks like a good option. It requires use of a kit made by Gibbons. Both options require a donor car. The Gibbons option is a bit more expensive up front but I think the Volare T-bar mounts are considerably more expensive so the price difference may only be a few hundred dollars if you compare them in full restored condition. I'm not certain of his projected total cost.

There are no free options. This is just an expensive hobby unless you are willing to drive around in a dangerous and/or unreliable vehicle.