I was planning on doing a crown Vic ifs swap with an explorer rear end swap until I studied it and found out there is about 7 inches of difference in width. So I'm still planning on the crown Vic ifs but wondering what rear ends people are using or know of that are the same width as the ifs?

I was thinking of using the rear end from a crown Vic also but can I convert it from the coil springs to leaf springs?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks

 

I would go with the CV rear as well. Maybe replace the watts suspension with some type of four link?

 

Do yourself a favor and forget about the CV IFS, you'll end up with a lot more headaches than rear end misalignment. If you decide on the CV rearend then just use the coils, it'll be alot easier and then you can save your energy and $$$ trying to figure out how to stuff those wide suspensions under your narrow F100 fenders. Cheap isn't always best.

 

Well for me it's more about getting a modern front suspension and disk brakes over anything else. I plan on running a version of the mustang bullit wheels that I have seen others use on this site. I just figured if I'm going to spend 600 for the disk brake conversion kit I might as well do this swap and get some modern upgrades.

 

FWIW, any solid rear axle is capable of being put under a set of leaf springs, as long as there is enough tube length to weld the spring pads onto, and the pinion angle is correct.

 

Use the Crown Vic rearend, sounds like you already have it. Should be an 8.8 which can handle the power. If you can cut and weld in the CV front suspension, you certainly can cut off the coil spring brackets and weld on some leaf spring pads. Just have your engine and trans installed so you have some idea of the pinion angle that is needed.

 

Isn't the modern Ford Explorer 8.8" an easy in - close enough to right width, disc brakes, etc.... Sounds like what I would do to save myself a ton of headache (I stayed 5 on 5.5 so just got a 9" and am happy with drum, but if I was going 5 on 4.5 that's what I would do).

 

* thought revised... what year Crown Vic are you using? Bill tells us a ton of info about the panther platform here and suggests some rear end options.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post10917017

 

The CV IFS will work 03 and newer check out my thread. There is ref on it to other threads as well. As for the rear diff an 8.8 out of an explorer will fit it's pretty common on here mine is out of a 95 that came with leaf springs and discs. The diff out of the CV is pretty wide but if you are going with widened rear fenders it will work. your wheel and rim selection will be limited somewhat. At the end of the day it's your truck and your choice. good luck and keep us posted

 

Mechmagcn has put the CV rear end with 88 Ranger rear springs and hangers in his truck and it worked fine. I'm using the same rear end in my truck as well. I'm using Lincoln wire spoke wheels with a good back-space.

 

Do you have enough clearance with stock fenders? Or as mentioned a few posts before are you widening the fenders?

 

I'm using the stock fenders. I will be alright using the Lincoln wire wheels.

 

i have an 8.8 for my 53's new frame to replace the dana 44 and match the new bolt pattern on the disc kit i'm ordering from speedway , 5 x 41/2 , . the diff is out of an 87 vic i parted . i cut and ground off all the coil spring brackets , but left the shock mounts on it as they are 4 inches lower than the oe 53 ones and i'm lowering the **** end 3 1/2 to 4 inches so ................ im buying leaf spring perches and u bolts from currie enterprises as i was having a heck of a time finding anything in the area thanks to the 3.25 " diameter axle tube . the 8.8 is 3/8 wider than my oe diff , but bye the virtue of running narrower oe 50's era passenger car rims front and rear , 4.5 " wide versus the 6" wide ones on it now , and narrower 205 or 215 75 15's instead of the 235 70's i end up with a stock track width and all will look copasetic !!!!!!!!!!!!! i thought of converting to the watts suspension but i like the old skool look of my straight axle in front and leaf springs all around . the vic i parted was the square body from the 80's and it's front track width was dain near spot on for the 53 and i even thought of cutting the frame up front and .............

 

The rear-end I'm using is out of a 87, so it isn't as wide as the later models.

 

So what rear axle set-up is most compatible with an 03-07 CV IFS in an F-100 dent side? Factors to consider might include:

• matching the dual calipers and huge rotors on the front
• matching bolt pattern (16" wheels required, right?)
• using a compatible distribution block, master cylinder and booster
• keeping wheels inside fender line avoiding any rubbing
• readily available (reasonable cost)

The disk brake conversion systems for the stock 9" I've seen so far don't score well on cost and matching what comes with the CV IFS.