This question is for those of you who have done these swaps. Especially those who have done both to your trucks. I want to make sure that when I complete my install on my 71 F100 Short Bed that I am able to slam this truck to the ground. That includes without negatively affecting front end alignment, caster, camber.
I will be using the Truck IRS kit for the rear and doing the typical install up front. My question is should I notch the lower portion of the frame rails in front and notch the frame rails in back(higher than suggested) to lower the truck further? Similar to the C notch that people doing Air Ride systems do. I am going to spring the truck(cutting coils) initially until I can afford to air bag it. If I can get it to sit where I want with coils I may just leave it that way as I am looking for the best handling performance I can get. Leave the Porsche's and BMW's wondering what happened.

 

It really depends on how low you want to go.

I have one coil cut out of mine and with 225/60R16's my truck sits about 9" from the bottom of the rockers to the ground. With one coil cut out, it looks like the camber can still be adjusted out (might have to elongated adjuster holes a little).

Since putting the 19's on, it sits a little higher @ 10 1/2". I was thinking about notching the front frame rails too, but decided it wasn't worth the effort.

With 16's and a 16 oz beer can for reference.



With 19's:



My goal is NOT to go as low as I can, but low enough for it to look good and still handle well. IMO air bags will make it ride
like chit and are for looks only. If riding on a cloud of air is your idea of a good ride and crisp handling then by all means go for it.

I personally want to go fast, stop on a dime and turn like a sports car. Slammed in the weeds looks cool when parked, but doesn't cut it for every day aggressive driving. Once again, it's just my opinion.

 

My project is stalled right now, but my truck sits as low as his with out the engine now. I suspect I will have to find different rims from a fwd car to make my dreams come true.

The CV K member sits roughly 6 inches off the ground stock.

You can drop it 2 or raise it 2 inches from there. So either 4 inches or 8 inches. I rented a car to get a bunch of measurements, and I have them written in a book somewhere.

I went full retard, and sectioned my frame 2.5 inches so I can get really low. So tomorrow I hope the wife takes the kid somewhere so I can set my engine in, but it looks like fwd rims will be in my future if I want to have a 5 inch frame height.

 

Forgot to mention that a stock PI CV front end in a F100 with a FE motor, and C6 transmission sits higher at the cross member then stock.

So I maybe looking also at stock CV springs if I feel the ride is bumpy.

 

AREA351, I like the looks of your truck with 19's.Z, I look forward to seeing yours. I am not educated enough about air bags to speak to their handling characteristics and need to do some serious reading. The most important thing to me is handling hence my focus on coils first. A sweet set of shocks, plenty of rubber on the road and stuck like glue.

 

I'll get my truck sitting where I want it tomorrow then measure ground to bottom of frame rail and post it to see what you guy's have.

 

351, do you have the Mark V111 IRS as well or just the CV IFS?

 

Is an 03 Lincoln towncar the same as the 03 to 11 CV as for the front end? I have a line on one but don't know if they are the same.Thanks

 

Nope.

9" from an 80-83 F100, 4.11 gears, Trac Loc, 04 Cobra discs and Rousch Yates truck arms and coils.

I plan on running a Watts link and rear sway bar as well. I figured if it works for the Nascar guys, it'll work for me.

Pics in my build thread.

IMO: skip the bags and run a good set of coils and shocks or adjustable coil overs if you are serious about being able to turn it.

 

Yes and also the Mercury Marauder.

 

Measured my rockers since that makes more sense. With the truck the way it is now with drop spindles and leafs it sits 13" from ground to rocker in back and 11 1/4" in the front. So 10 1/2" would be just fine with me.

 

Ever seen the goodguys autocross? Ever ridden in one of those cars that are on bags? You would drastically change your opinion of air bags if you have ever ridden in one of those cars. They will leave your ******* layin on the ground and ride like a dream. Fact is, you dont just throw bags on a vehicle. They need to be properly set up and the shock is very important.

 

Thanks Area351,I plan on towncar front and mark8 rear.Hope I can start soon.

 

For those rides that have a CV IFS swap & air bags... does anyone have pics on how the shock is mounted?

I've read some threads elsewhere that say you don't have to run shocks on the front when you have an air bag setup but that seems odd to me so I'm trying to see what others have done for mounting shocks on a CV IFS (since the shock & spring normally goes where the airbag would be installed).