Hello Yall new guy here. I have played with chevys for years and finally decided to try a ford project. I recently purchased a 66' F100 stepside and after doing a little research decided to buy a volare front suspension for it. I was just curious if anyone here has bolted in rather than welding the K member. I would like to not notch the frame since im not really trying to make the truck low, but rather trying to gain better handling and braking. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

 

This is what I did: Slick 60's :: View topic - -TECH- Jag XJ6 IFS into F100

 

I think you may be under-rating the Twin I-beam suspension already there. It has excellent handling when in proper repair, and with upgrades it becomes one hard to beat - unless you want sports car performance, that is.
That suspension was used from '65 to '79, and the front frame dimensions are the same in those years, from the front of the bumper to the back of the cab.
This means you can transplant bolt-on options such as power disc brakes and power steering, as well as any of the engine and transmission options used during those years - and there is a wide range available.
And, you can do all this a whole lot cheaper and easier than transplanting a front suspension. Note that the transplant mentioned above was for a '64 - not a '65. A front transplant is considered for '64 and earlier trucks, because they used a solid front axle. Ford made major suspension and structural changes for the '65 year. Nothing underneath interchanges between '64 and '65 except for some tin, by the way, even though the trucks look similar.
There is a lot here available to talk you through all of these upgrades and the pitfalls to avoid. I think you will be quite happy with power disc brakes and power steering upgrades, your wallet will be a lot lighter and it will be a lot less work.

 

The I beams in good repair are just fine for handling like the guy above said.

Add in a set of bump side beams, and you'll get disks brakes.

The only reason to go with another suspension system on I beam equipped trucks is if you wanna lower it alot.

 

For your '66 there are many combinations of front disc brakes and even rear disc brakes if you want, including power boosters. These can be sourced from donor vehicles or new kits from Master Power Brakes. To improve your handling with the stock front I-beams you can get both front and rear Addco sway bars (sold by Summit Racing and LMC Truck) and upgraded shocks like KYB Gas-A-Justs. I am doing all these things to my '66. The sway bar install was pretty easy.

 

Thanks for all the input and help. I tend to flip flop alot on projects so after thinking it over I have decided since I already purchased a volare clip I will go ahead and notch out the frame. So now my new search is for a template to cut the frame. Am I stuck making my own or does someone sell them? I can find 55-56 templetes no problem, but nothing on 65-66. Any thoughts?

 

Since you have a Volare clip, you can make your own template by taking a good stiff wire ( like a coathanger, straightened out) and follow the contour of your Volare sub frame from front to rear. Be sure to locate the axle centerline on the chassis you are going to be installing the clip into. If you setup the axle centerline of the clip in the vicinity of 1 1/2" ahead of the Ford axle centerline you will center the wheels in the wheel well. I took a 2 1/2" pipe, about 12" long and welded it to a piece of flatstock and clamped it too my frame, then place pipe through a wheel & tire. That way you can step back and look at your wheel placement and move it back or forth to suit your own likes. Make sure you maintain your anti-dive angle and you can place your clip shallow or deep in your frame depending on how low you would like your truck to sit.

 

Oilylizard; If you like, check out my gallery. I have just added some pics in the 55 F100 album that might help out. The side view with the wheel in place shows how well the wheel locator works in the mockup stages. Good Luck

 

Thanks for the help. Good Idea with the wire I have been thinking of way to work on my own templates. Im diggin your 61' thats exactly the look im going for minus the airbags. I will be trying the wheel locator also. Thanks again for the ideas and the help.

 

ur welcome. Keep in mind, my frame is Zeed, front and rear. Check out my "61 Lowrider" gallery for pics.

 

Yes I did notice the Z job which looks very professional btw. I was refering to the flat black paint with very few chrome accents such as peep mirrors and such.

 

Thanks. You gotta love the look, some don't. When I put the ol gal back together we are going to go with a satin finish, then we are going to drive the dickens out of it!!!!!!

 

Hey everyone, another new guy here.. I got a 50 f-1, want to put the volare ifs in the truck but also do not want to cut the frame. I understand Bobs f100 sells the bolt on template and even the new ears, has anyone done this. Does the provide enough sb clearance at the steering box, I really do not want the truck real low.