What ifs
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New User
Joined: Aug 2014
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What ifs
Hi guys, looking at buying a ifs for my 51 f1 and wondering what you all are running and what kits to try avoiding? I m going to do airbags on all 4 corners and there are so many kits avaliable it's hard to make a decision? I was looking at going with a scotts custom front end then starting reading about complaints about the ifs and customer support? Any help would be appreciated I m ready to buy just hung up on which one
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 4,735
From: Burbank, WA
Stick with the quality name brands, ie; Heidts, TCI, Fatman, No Limit, etc. Air Ride Tech is a very good place to look for a full bag kit. Skimping at the beginning of your build on suspension won't do you any favors later, and will likely cost you way more than you thought you'd save.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 103
From: Birdsboro PA
I used full tilt street rods for my front end. Its a good cheaper option and im pretty sure its made in house by the owner. If i was doing bags, i would get the full tilt crossmember and arms and the run shockwaves for the air bags. You can get them with the height sensors internal so you dont have to add any other sensors. I wwas planning on doing this until i saw the cost of the shockwaves plus the controlling unit needed to run them. I think it was close the 3 grand for it.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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Thanks for the replies guys, I m going to put the majority of the money in the suspension and don't mind spending the money for quality parts, you definetly get what ya pay for and learned that lesson long time ago haha, I m seriously considering the tci front and back suspension cause of the extras they offer and certain times of year, I was going to go with the shock waves but have read somewhere where you can't drop as low with them as traditional bag and shock setup?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,170
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From: Rimrock AZ
Thanks for the replies guys, I m going to put the majority of the money in the suspension and don't mind spending the money for quality parts, you definetly get what ya pay for and learned that lesson long time ago haha, I m seriously considering the tci front and back suspension cause of the extras they offer and certain times of year, I was going to go with the shock waves but have read somewhere where you can't drop as low with them as traditional bag and shock setup?
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 76
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From: Royse City, TX
I installed the stock mustang 2 control arms and fatman kit back in 1993 and did not had any problems with it. I had to play with spring rate to get the right ride height since I didn't use the typical SBC.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2014
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So at this point it's either tci or scotts hot rod? I like the scotts cause it's a one piece crossmember where as the tci is not unless you get the custom they offer. I m going to be running a 59 390 caddy motor in the truck so will have to fab up some motor mounts. I just got this truck in the past couple months from my grandfather and want to keep the caddy in it since it's been in there since 63
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 3
From: Morgan Hill, CA
I have the Fatman unit on my F1.
It came with the crossmember already installed on a frame that I acquired from 51Panelman.
Fatman was excellent with their customer service and helped me order all of the parts that I needed to complete the job.
They do have recommended springs etc. for big block engines. It might be worth a call to them before you decide.
Dan
It came with the crossmember already installed on a frame that I acquired from 51Panelman.
Fatman was excellent with their customer service and helped me order all of the parts that I needed to complete the job.
They do have recommended springs etc. for big block engines. It might be worth a call to them before you decide.
Dan
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