I've been researching the different front suspension swaps that people are doing and I keep coming up with stuff I hadn't heard of before. I was thinking that if all you gear heads would post the swaps that you know of and the pros & cons of each we could creates a reference list that would help people get an educated start on their projects.

Post away...

Ok, great idea, so i will start the ball rolling......

Lexus SC300/400 front suspension
Pros, very good fit for 53 to 56 F100s
similiar track width and donor weight
power rack, big brakes, Ford bolt pattern
Cons, some fabrication needed for rear lower inner bushes

John

Mine is MII from TCI with coil overs. My experience was that they don't always send the right parts, but they will remedy the problem. Coil overs are nice because you can adjust your ride height somewhat. A lot of guys here like the Jaguar IFS - fairly easy to find and much cheaper if you do.

I just installed a TCI Mustang II with coil springs rather than coil overs. Starting to wish I had gone the coil over route. Everything seemed to be well made and fit right. If you're a newbie like me, TCI's instructions, if there are any, are terrible. On the up side, their tech phone help is pretty good. My only problem was/is with the coil springs. Until your truck is totally assembled with all the weight on the frame, installing the springs is a real problem (see my thread on that topic). Btw, I paid a professional to do the all the necessary cutting and welding. I have done all the assembly myself other than that--along with my 15 year old son.

Tyler

Scratch,

it's is already done... in the stickies at the top of the forum... eleven part article

53-79 F-Series Steering & Suspension .: Articles

john

Over the years I've installed two Chrysler Torsion bar suspensions (48 and 49 Ford trucks), a MII (in a 29 Ford), an AMC Pacer (in a 34 Pontiac), and a Buick Apollo (in a 34 Plymouth). Although the MII, Pacer, and Apollo suspensions were done in other vehicles they also work in 48-56 Ford trucks.

Oops, I didn't see the sticky. I like what has been posted on this thread though, great info! I'll check out the sticky now.

Someone should change the title of that sticky as there are articles in there for 1948-1972 models. So maybe it should say 48-72 F-Series Steering and Suspension? The current title is confusing. There is great info contained in there it would be a shame if someone missed it.

It used to be broken down into the various sections by year, but the powers that be have condensed it..... along with many other articles.

A reminder that the '48-56's are but just a blip on the FTE radar as a whole.

...and we are probably the only section that does much front suspension swapping. Or engine transplants. Or trans swaps. I think the newer truck sections just talk about the best wax ...

Bwahahahaha!

This is a really good series of articles. Prior to reading it, I was all gung-ho for an IFS. The article made me realize that for my purpose a good, rebuilt original front end with some upgrades would be the best route at this point.

I read all the articles on IFS swaps and learned quite abit. I also enjoyed the few posts I read on this thread about individuals and their swaps. Feel free to keep posting if you want. Can't learn too much about this stuff!

At this point I am staying with my strait axle (up graded the brakes to disk on the front), the other improvement I want to do is the Toyota power steering box. If I wanted mine scrapping the pavement then I would think about IFS or a speed road coarse.

I came to the same conclusion MC. I just picked up a set of Dual-Flex springs for the front and matching SuperSliders from Posie's for the rear. They are supposed to lower the truck 2-3" which is fine but my main reason for changing was the ride. Those 3/4 ton F-2 springs on the shortened 112" wheelbase were shaking things to pieces. I'm sticking with the 12" drums until I see how much the ride and handling improve.