Ok so I think I have decided to scrap the flathead and pick up a 302 small block out of a mustang. I am worried that the flatty is going to have a cracked block. I also think it would be more fun with a little extra power. My big question now though is the front end of choice. I think I will also go with a Mustang front end. I have tried to search the forum for others that have done this swap. I am looking for the best year to swap a front end out of that will require minimal modifications. I have seen a lot of guys using the Mustang II font ends but I would like to avoid this, pick up a used one, and rebuild. Both for budget reasons and because I would like to be as hands on as I can.

Thank you,

 

I have never heard of anybody using a Mustang front end. The Mustang II front suspension that people use are aftermarket MII style front ends, engineered to be much stronger than the Mustang II cars. If you want to weld on a new front clip then search for the Jaguar front ends on here. You may not have enough posts for a search yet, if you search on Google you can find links to threads here all about what you need.

 

Original Mustang II front ends are too narrow and light. You'll need an aftermarket kit.

 

For budget and ease of install, I went with the Jag IFS. Lots of info on it here. There's probably a dozen of us who have used it.

 

With the exception of the Mustang II, all other Mustangs use some kind of shock tower for upper suspension mount. There's no way to adapt them into a truck chassis without building a complete racing style roll and chassis cage around the engine compartment. You'd better have an above average understanding of suspension dynamics and fabrication skills before attempting such a feat.

The reason so many guys use the MII setup is that it's compact, lightweight and easily allows modern upgrades like disc brakes and rack and pinion steering. But as mentioned, the original MII equipment is narrow and too light duty to work effectively and safely, so the aftermarket has stepped up with the new and improved versions that are so popular today, designed and engineered for our applications.