Hey guys, not sure if this would be the right spot for this post, but looking for a 53-56 frame ready to go with IFS, prefer MII or CV. I have a complete 1954 F100 but can't seem to find anyone in the Central Valley area of California willing to take on the front end swap.

So if anyone knows of someone in the area getting rid of a frame, or knows a shop in the area I might try, I'd appreciate it.

 

Can't find a shop in CA that can do an IFS install??? Might not be one around the corner, but hot rod shops are more common than gas stations in CA, and some of our CA members should be able to point you in the right direction. I'd be really wary of anyone selling a frame with an IFS install already done, most don't do the install then sell the bare chassis unless it has a problem (put in wrong, frame warped, poor quality/unsafe welds) You can buy new complete bolt-in chassis with IFS and compatible 4 link rear suspension from Heidts, Art Morrison and others. If you can't install a quality MII type IFS kit (if you can't or don't trust your welding skills you can clamp it all up and have a welder come to you and do the welding.) I'm concerned that you would have a difficult time completing the IFS install and frame swap from the bare frame, there is a lot more fabrication/adaptation that is required after the IFS is installed: rear axle and suspension, steering column, brakes, etc.
Note that if anyone tries to sell you a frame with an actual salvaged MII IFS RUN in the other direction. They can be recognized by upper control arms made of stamped steel and lower control arms also made of stamped steel with a single pivot at the crossmember and a heavy rod running diagonally from the lower control arm to a large rubber bushing in a bracket on the frame.
Why do you want an IFS in the first place? There is nothing wrong in the design, strength or driveability of the beam axle, it can be rebuilt to as new condition by an average mechanic in his driveway in a couple weekends and upgrades (power steering, power/disk brakes, lowering etc) can be added far easier and less expensively than putting in an IFS.

 

Hey Rhino,
Most 4x4 offroad shops are very familiar with suspension upgrades.
From a cost standpoint -
$2,200 or so for the Front IFS kit plus new master cylinder & brake lines.
$2,000 to install IFS (Welding into current frame)

Note this does not include re-wiring your truck, hooking up the steering, reinstalling your engine & trans, etc..

Back to Ax's point. You can repair & fix your current stock front end for around $800 & do it yourself over a couple of weekends. We did the Mustang II front end - I'm not convinced it was a great idea. It's expensive & it takes you out of commission for 4 mos. or so...

Ben in Austin
1950 F1 (351W/AOD)

 

Where are you at in Central California? I'm in Fresno, I know of two shops that could handle it, and will look for more if you like.

 

I'm also in Fresno, which 2 are you thinking of? Snow White would do it but wanted a bloody fortune for it.

 

Joe's House of Hot Rods<section class="ratings-container"></section><section class="hours-container"></section>4633 N. Blythe,
Fresno, CA 93722
(559) 908-7310


Snow White LTD is the other one. You're not going to find anyone to do it "Cheap", nor would I recommend any shop that said they would do it that way. You COULD check the Fresno City and Fresno State college Automotive shops. They'll sometimes take on a project like that for free, and you can be sure it's done right because the instructor knows his job is on the line if it's done wrong.

 

here ya go...

1953 TO 1956 FORD F100 FRAME OR 1955-1959 CHEVY CHASSIS

 

BC Fab in rancho Cordova will do the work your looking for I got a quote from them to put in a front end the wanted around $1200 out the door for MII and a 4 link in the rear. I think there's also a guy in Stockton as well that's on craigslist his name escapes me... Good luck