I am putting a 351W into my 1969 and was really considering a No limit set up I live close to LA and try to buy local. Did you use the drop spindles? Also does the sway bar hit your tire when making a sharp turn? This is my first major project I have experienced welder fabricator to help.

 

The Mustang II front will lower your truck about 5 inches as it is with stock spindles. If you get dropped spindles you will be really low. I don't know about the sway bar, I don't have it yet, but I did install a TCI kit with coil overs. With the coil overs adjusted to the lowest setting my front bumper was just 7" above the ground. I adjusted them 2/3's up and now it is 11". This is with the motor in and the front fenders and hood on. I may go higher, but won't know until I actually drive it.

 

Hey Eaglekiller,
We also have a 351W & the No Limit IFS - I would agree with Topmoo
you really don't need to drop it any further. The "stock" spindles drop it a lot already - I'm having trouble fitting 18 inch tires under there.

Ben in Austin

 

Thanks for the quick response! I will go out and do some visualizing using those numbers. I am also going 4link in the back! I want to go with one manufacturer for both keep it simple. Who do you guys suggest? This is a family truck that I will be buried in so long term best for driving hard but still use able.

 

Hey Eaglekiller,
Welcome Aboard! Our truck's pic is below with a 351W in it plus the No Limit IFS - if that's the ride height you are looking for. We've got the coils up as high as they will go to get 18 inch tires under there in that pic. I'll probably drop the tire/wheel size as it's impossible to align the front end with big tires up front. The sway bar isn't a problem when turning.

We are running a stock 8.8 inch Explorer axle under the rear so I can't help with the 4 link questions.

I will say replacing the front suspension was one of the hardest things done to this truck. You have to take the whole front clip off, the engine, wiring, steering, etc. Major surgery - minimum of 3 to 4 months & easy to get side tracked into steering, brakes, re-wiring the truck, etc. Have you thought of just repairing & restoring the stock front end? That one is more like 2 weekends with some help.

Good luck over there - Post some pics - let's see what you are working with.

Ben in Austin

 

I have 16" x 7" rims and had to go with a smaller tire in the front. 205/65R16 (about 8" wide mounted tire) on the front work fine with the fenders and MII, and they have a 3.5" backspace. The rear on mine, with the same rims, are 235/75R16 (almost 10" wide). And this was the second set of tires and rims that I bought.
I don't plan on having any flats!

 

I went with a fat man kit. The crossmember looked a lot beefier than others I had seen and I wanted tubular control arms. The rack is an easy replacement from napa, should it fail. I have pictures of my setup in my signature build thread.

 

I do not have any experience with the various kits you are talking about but I had a Mustang front end in my 49 F3 with a 5.0 5 speed -it just never fell comfortable at speeds above 50. I am currently changing it to a jaguar front end- cost about $400 it fits the frame perfectly, lots of threads explaining how right here with lots of pics. disk are 4 pod and can hold the weight as the jag is very heavy. Uses 4.75 x 5 wheels they are plentiful in junk yards - mine is a 86XJS with even heavier spings than the xj model. The only hassle is making the shock brackets so far. Good luck.

 

Doc: We've installed one in a 51 F1 and the last thing we have to install are the front brake hoses; specifically, I'm wondering where to attach the brake hose to the hard line brackets....ahead of the strut support or to the rear of it? Do you remember what length of brake hose you used?

 

hello, has anyone done an ifs conversion on a 56 f250 please?

 

I did volare, If I were to do it again without a doubt I would do the crown vic swap. It looks relatively simple and very affordable.

I have a super nice original 64 falcon convertible I am giving my self a year and I have to finish my truck then I can have a go at it lol. if so an explorer 5.0, aod, and exploder rear end is going in it. And I will put a MII ifs in it. I know the stock suspension can be made to work and I have done it on a 69 mustang but I hate it, the shock towers, the saggy front end that requires export braces, and the power wandering/leaking system. So I am not afraid of the MII IFS.

 

Anychance you could talk me into a manual over the AOD? I would like to know your reasoning as you have the AOD in your F1 already, correct?

 

Hey Debo,
Welcome Aboard! Good to see another '50 getting saved. Post some pics when you get a chance so we can see what you are working with.

AOD vs Manual hmmmm..

My son Zack is about the same age as you are. He is very experienced at driving manual as he learned to drive on an old jeep. I thought the girls in our family might drive the truck so I went with an AOD - nope. It's just Zack & I as the primary drivers. We'd both like manual - more control over the shifts & engine.

The AOD is driven by a cable. That cable has to be perfect. Extremely small changes in the cable have large changes in how it shifts. Very difficult to set up. We also had to tunnel the cab a bit to make room for the AOD behind our 351W. (2) AOD's died during our installation process - At $1800 ea that's expensive. You need to use a Lokar shifter to get it to work. I would recommend you use a very experienced transmission shop for installation - not really DIY in my opinion.

AOD's have to be beefed up a bit if you have modified your engine for more horsepower. Look at the Baumann Engineering site for all you ever wanted to know about AOD's. Our AOD has the A size servo & a Kevlar overdrive band & a special shift kit.

I think a nice 5 speed manual transmission would be cheaper & easier to install with the exception of the pedals/clutch. You don't have to set that cable pressure or tunnel your cab floor. If all your driving is in a major city then an automatic is very nice to have. If you travel on roads with lighter traffic ...I'd go manual for more fun.

Good luck over there in Washington! Start a new thread & show us your truck and build.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Thank you for the reply Ben! Pictures and a build thread are on thier way.

I guess what I was really asking was Automatic vs Maunaul not so much AOD vs Manual (an age old debate).
A little more background information on the "build plans" and usage I have in mind may also help.

Like your son Zack, I am also well versed at driving manuals old and new. When I had first envisioned this build it was without a doubt going to be a manual, but of course things change.

One big factor is I plan on some fashion of forced air (supercharged/turbocharged, a complete different ball game to talk about). Most the old hot rod guys I hang around are saying automatic is the ticket when going boosted.

I've driven supercharged and turbocharged cars enough to know the differences and how auto vs manual reacts with both. I do plan on driving the truck fairly often if not daily. I don't plan on "racing" but playing around from stop light to stop light is always fun.

I know the debate over transmission choices is one I can only answer myself, but seeing as you already built an F1, your input is valuable. Thanks again!

 

one of the guys i work with just bought 1953 F-100. it has a 302 c-4. he is wanting to put a crown vic. front end in it. he is keeping the 302 c-4. is there anything that he should lookout for ? thanks in advance with any help with this.