I have a 48 Mercury pick up ( same as the ford f-1) and it has the original front end I beam type with spindles . Looking for the Best/Easy way to have a modern front end with disks . And I don't have deep pockets for the project , but want it to be good and safe.anyone know what font end would fit well ?

 

For about $1500.00 you can get a complete Pinto/Mustang II bolt in replacement. Ebay carries a couple different brands.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1946-54-Ford-Chevy-Truck-CORNERKILLER-IFS-FRONT-END-mustang-ii-kit-v2-0-/151616802584?fits=Make%3AFord%7CModel%3AF1&hash=item234d10cf18&vxp=mtr

 

Does anyone here have experience with the Helix brand? Any idea as to country of origin?

John

 

Helix is the worst by all accounts. Totally Hecho en China. IFS is not a place to go cheap. Why not just add discs to your stock front end until you can afford to do IFS with quality parts?

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15149945
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...for-49-f1.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...fo-please.html

 

Yea if seen just disc brake set up for stock I beam for around 250 to 350 but you'll prob want power brakes too that's another 300. To 400. But can be re used if your going to ifs later stuff ads up fast then you might want power steering to keep close to stock I've seen kits right around a 1000. Toyota gear box and choice of column and PS pump and pluming and this is great stuff if you have f1 or m1 and trying to stay close to stock on a budget but if your like me that's a lot of money but this is probilly the easy way to upgrade

 

So many options, but all of them lead to other needed modifications to make it all work, some less than others.
Are you doing the work or having a shop do the work?
How experienced are you with problem solving, fabrication, welding, and understanding of braking and steering systems? Or looking for primarily bolt on upgrades and hand tool use only?
What is your budget? The more fabrication you can do the cheaper you can do it.
Guys here have used every system you can think of, lots of experience on the board.

 

Helix is one of the Hoffman Group brands (along with Johnny Law, Welder Joe, Auto loc, Keep it Clean wiring, and a bunch of others) They sell cheap, low grade Chinese clone parts. Google Hoffman Group and complaints for plenty of reading material to help you decide if you want to use their products. Much of the "no brand" parts sold cheap on ebay are similar/same clone parts. IMHO life critical parts like steering, suspension, brakes, are not where you want to try to save a buck.

 

Merc 48, I suggest you read my post on creating a build plan in this topic: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...1955-f250.html
So much of the time new owners tear into a truck without any understanding as to why, or assessing their abilities and finances. When the find themselves way in over their heads they get discouraged and the truck ends up being sold for pennies on the dollar as an incomplete project or worse sent to scrap.

 

I agree with AXracer i got Helix MustangII IFS for my 56 F100 from Johnny law and ended up modifying and ordering more parts which cost a lot more then the top end kit, do a good research befor you start
Good luck and enjoy

 

Why not just add disc brakes to the stock front suspension? That's what I've done to mine, and it rides and drives just fine, and it's lowered a LOT.

 

Hey Mercury48,
Welcome Aboard! We have a lot of Canadian members here
so you should feel at home. A good way to start is to introduce your truck - pictures help a lot in determining what advice might be helpful.

If you just got the truck and are looking for some startup projects - I'd recommend a few things before tackling the front end. (Changing the front end is pretty involved & pricey normally).

o Change out the stock rear end - If your truck has the stock rear end - you may find getting past 50mph challenging. Changing the rear end for an Explorer 8.8 in. or a Ford 9 inch is pretty straight forward - maybe a weekend project with minimal welding. (We used a 2001 Explorer 8.8 in. axle with disc brakes from the salvage yard $125 - maybe another $100 or so for new pads, shocks, rotors,etc.).

o Change out the stock single chamber master cylinder for a safer dual chamber one - so your brakes won't all go out at once if you have a leak.
(We used a '68 mustang MC from Rock Auto for around $100).

Changing the front end is a beast of a project involving cutting into your frame & lot's of critical life dependent welding. It's doable but hard. Most guys seem to be using Jaguar front ends or Ford Crown Vic's if you go the salvage route. If new - we paid $2500 for our kit from No Limit Engineering & then you get to upgrade steering, wiring harness, etc. Took us months with a lot of help.

You can rebuild your stock front end for around $800 - it's also common to go with a lower look - 3 inch drop axle, Toyota Power Steering Kit, Front Disc brake kit, etc.

Good luck over there in BC - post some pics when you get a chance & let's see what you are working with. Don't get overwhelmed - take small steps & have fun.

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

I think I might have $700 in my crown vic IFS. Pretty easy if you are OK at fab work. $200 for the IFS, $400 to have the cradle and rack narrowed, $100 in odds and ends. Now I have power rack and pinion steering, dual piston heavy duty disc brakes, coil over dual a-arm suspension, and all the parts are readily available and cheap.