whats the diffrence form a valarie front end and the mustang front end...im planning to change my front end but i dont know whats the diffrence from these two.i have a 53 f100 custom cab and im going to put a 239 y block from a 55f100..what the best way for me to go???

 

The main difference is cost. I've done a couple of Volares and spent about $500 total on each of them. The MII is going to run about $1500 minimum. The Volare is a torsion bar suspension so no coil springs to guess about but to some the ride is a bit mushy. Personally, I like the mushy ride. The T-bar is also older and none have been made since 1989 so they are getting more scarce. Neither requires you to chop off your front suspension but you do have to make a big notch for the Volare and weld it in where some of the MII kits are pretty much a bolt on. You get instant power steering and disc brakes with the Volare but have to add both for the MII. Also, you have a huge steering box to contend with where the MII is rack and pinion.

Only you can decide which is best for your application.

 

The MII based aftermarket kits are going to be the lightest and most compact front suspensions you can put into your truck, and are still plenty strong to get the job done while shaving several hundred pounds off the front of your truck. That equates to better handling and means you can more easily fit different engine combinations with fewer exhaust and steering issues like you would with other options. Cost is relative and needs to be looked at from an apples-to-apples standpoint. The MII kit is coming to you delivered to your door, fully engineered for your application with installation instructions, and all new parts from cotter pin to cotter pin and everything you need to assemble it in between. If you find a Mopar K member assembly in a junk yard or off craigslist, it will be a crap shoot as to whether or not you'll need to replace any or all of the parts you just bought because they're worn out. And then you have to figure out how and where to put it.

A good portion of the decision may be based on your fabrication skills. If you're a novice, I would highly suggest seeking local, professional advice for help with either option to make sure your truck is done right and safe, both for you and the people around you. If you feel capable, competent and confident, many of us here on the forum can walk you through just about anything.

 

I have installed seveal mII front end kits from several differant vendors and have had no problems at all. however, I helped a friend install a volair front end once and it turned out to be a real pain. Not only did we have to chip away at the original lower frame rails to fit the assembly in, once it was in place we ended up tearing it all down and replacing every bushing in the unit because they were all old and just plain worn out. It ended up costing Tim just about as much to buy, then re-hab his (cheap) IFS as it would have to buy a brand new IFS kit. I didn't see the cost savings that he thought he was getting. I could have installed a new IFS kit (and have) all by myself in about 1/2 to 3/4 of the time we spent plugging in the volair IFS.

It's been said before in this thread but let me say it again, A new IFS kit comes complete, start to finish, with instructions. This saves time, which in turn saves money. Had I been charging man hours when I helped my buddy Tim, he would have spent the entire cost of a kit built IFS system and more.

Gary

 

You could always do something different and put corvette suspension on it. It would handle a ton better for a little more cost. That's what I've done. Don McNally makes a nice kit.
Karl

 

Hey Bob, did you install the Corvette suspension both front & rear? How long have you had it? How do you like it? I'm going to pull the front & rear suspension off an 84 Corvette tomorrow. Not yet sure if I wanna get the narrowed crossmember & put it in my '37 Ford or adapt it to my '66 F100 shortbed. Either way, I'm getting a great deal on the suspension so I gotta pick it up!

 

Hey Chavez,
We went with a Mustang II aftermarket Coilover Independent front suspension. It was hands down the most invasive modification we made to our 1950 F1. It was expensive ($2700 just for parts) after you include all the new brake lines, master cylinder, steering, etc.. & it took months to complete - 4 months for us & I'm still screwing around trying to get the alignment right.

Personally I wouldn't do it if I had the choice again. It's too expensive & involves pretty extensive welding on your frame. This is the one modification that put's your truck out of commission for months & a lot of guys never get it right. I'd rebuild the existing front end with new bushings, king pins, etc. & add disc brakes. $800 in parts + disc brakes kit to rebuild your existing front end & it can be done in a couple of weekends.

Good luck over there.

Ben in Austin

 

There are few of us on here that have done the Jag IFS. If you haven't considered this option you should check is out.


_____________________________________
46 Ford Tudor - Street Rod
48 Ford F1 - Kustom

"Happiness - 3 pedals and a 5 speed"

 

Lexco is putting a Lexus IFS in his 56. To play devil's advocate, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the OEM front axle and suspension. Rebuilt with new kingpins, spring eye bushings, remove every other spring leaf or replace springs with lowering springs and it will ride and handle even better than the Volare. If you want power steering add the Toyota power steering box. I don't know any IFS that is lighter than the beam axle! (Maybe the Vette if using aluminum A-arms and coilovers???)

 

I totally agree with AX, I'm going with the beam axle with all new component's and power steering, keeping it simple and affordable.

 

Not to mention quicker. You can rebuild the beam axle and suspension in a weekend. Converting to IFS typically takes a month or (lot) more by the time you remove original suspension, box the frame, install the crossmember, add all the suspension parts, work out the motormount, steering, exhaust and oil pan interference issues, etc..