Chassis Engineering Crossmember Question
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Junior User
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Chassis Engineering Crossmember Question
Guys,
Researching upgrading to an IFS. Looking at the bolt on crossmember from Chassis Engineering. Do any of you know what year mustang or pinto parts will fit this crossmember? Upper & lower arms, spindles and rack and pinion...
Researching upgrading to an IFS. Looking at the bolt on crossmember from Chassis Engineering. Do any of you know what year mustang or pinto parts will fit this crossmember? Upper & lower arms, spindles and rack and pinion...
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Central Oregon
I believe that you want to go aftermarket on the parts as the original parts aren't considered that strong. The basic geometry/sizing is the same, but newer ones are much stronger and better designed. I am sure the more knowledgeable will chime in soon.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
Please DON'T use any IFS that uses OEM M2/Pinto suspension parts! They were designed to be manufactured as cheap as possible to go on a 2000# econobox grocery getter with much of the weight on the rear wheels, they are NOT strong enough for a 4000# nose heavy truck with big tires driven at 70 MPH. Plus the suspension geometry is absolutely horrible. This is a definite step backwards, save your money and rebuild the stock axle/suspension instead.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2011
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Doc,
Was the crossmember truly bolt on? I have a 302 engine and the catalog states there are issues with the pan clearing the power rack lines. Did you install manual or power steering? Can I get your private email in order to correspond easier if I do this project?
Was the crossmember truly bolt on? I have a 302 engine and the catalog states there are issues with the pan clearing the power rack lines. Did you install manual or power steering? Can I get your private email in order to correspond easier if I do this project?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: East KY
Yes it is completely bolt on. You will drill 38 3/8" holes. It completely envelopes the frame rails and is very strong. Anybody who says it's not strong enough has no idea what they're talking about. As far as the 302 problem with hitting the "power rack", I'd honestly like to stick that catalog up their rear ends. They have a problem with BOTH power and manual racks. We've told them repeatedly for years, and they won't develop a fix for the problem. You have to obviously use a dual sump pan (a true rear sump pan is impossible for the 302 because of the oil pump location). The front tip of that pan will still hit the steering rack. You have to fab up some sort of spacer to elevate the motor mounts. I sent you a PM. I had a big thread about it years ago. I'm ashamed to say I haven't done very much to that truck since then. Life keeps getting in my way.
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From: East KY
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Walker, LA
I installed this setup on mine and it is very well built. Doc is not kidding about the holes you will drill. I am also running a 302 and the only way it will work without hitting the rack is using spacers. I tried two separate oil pans directly recommend by CE and neither one worked. That is my only complaint of the entire setup, other than that everything is top notch.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
If you can't weld, you could jack and clamp a weld-in assembly into place and get a welding service with a portable welder to come in and do the welding.
Sounds like you have solved the 302 oil pan clearance problem. I don't know what else could be done by CE, the rack can't be moved for clearance without totally screwing up the steering geometry.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: East KY
If you are referring to my post I did not say the crossmember was not strong enough but that the OEM stamped sheet metal M2/Pinto control arms and mickey mouse design single pivot with trailing arm lower control arm is not strong enough to use safely on our nose heavy trucks with large/wide tires. They were barely strong enough for the Pinto they came on. No competent IFS fabricator uses OEM M2 or Pinto suspension parts today. even tho the style is still referred to as M2 type or style. The Pinto also used 13" wheels on 4 lug hubs and "gokart size" 9" brakes so everything but the spindles would need replacing with aftermarket parts, jacking up the overall cost to about that of a complete aftermarket assembly. Even the OEM M2/Pinto rack has shown to be weak, most fabricators now spec/supply the stronger T-bird rack.
If you can't weld, you could jack and clamp a weld-in assembly into place and get a welding service with a portable welder to come in and do the welding.
Sounds like you have solved the 302 oil pan clearance problem. I don't know what else could be done by CE, the rack can't be moved for clearance without totally screwing up the steering geometry.
If you can't weld, you could jack and clamp a weld-in assembly into place and get a welding service with a portable welder to come in and do the welding.
Sounds like you have solved the 302 oil pan clearance problem. I don't know what else could be done by CE, the rack can't be moved for clearance without totally screwing up the steering geometry.
No, I wasn't referring to your post at all. I just made that statement in general to reassure the original poster. I know you were talking about the original Pinto/Mustang II components, not the crossmember.
What gets my goat about that crossmember and their mounts is the fact that the customers have proven time and time again that there's a "slight" problem with SBF engines, but Chassis Engineering refuses to acknowledge the issue or even offer a "kit" to elevate the mounts.
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