We have a 55' F100 that is, well, a project. Cancer has gotten ahold of it, but we have a nice cab and box/rear fenders for it. Please don't scoff, but we have a 454/TH400 in the shop in very nice shape, and I have more Chevy experience than Ford. So planning on using what we have. This is not intended to be a show car, and we may go the patina route or something else that I can do myself with limited auto painting experience.

The truck came with some 15" wheels that I would like to use. Partially because of the history of the truck and trying to stay true to the previous owners direction. But it isn't set in stone.

So I am pondering front ends. I don't want to sink a fortune into this truck. I would like to use some rather standard wheels. I would like to go a bit lower, but not slammed by any means. I saw a Crown vic late 90's front on craigslist, but wasn't sure about that year. I see more of the later models talked about. I would REALLY like to get started on this truck this winter, even if I only get the front suspension in it and engine mocked up. Maybe even figure out what to use for a rear end suspension.

Any help for a lost guy here? Any threads that really talked through the fronts? I did some searches but didn't get great results.

 

I would check out Flatout Engineering. they make kits for front and rear using Corvette suspension systems. Put it in my '53. Looking forward to have the beast on the road and see how it handles.

 

There is a very helpful thread that is the third link down in the 48-56 section titled "48/60 Forum Tips, Tricks, How To's!". This thread includes links that cover most of the subjects you are currently trying to work out. A shortcut to the thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-how-tos.html

Welcome to 48-56 FTE! Did anyone mention we like picture yet?

 

Crown vic and jag IFS are both popular, neither will have the same bolt pattern as original, so new wheels would be needed if you used one of them. I used the jag in both my trucks, I have around $600 each in them including purchase price and rebuilding them.
Rear suspension on the cheap is pretty easy, a newer rear with newer springs is not a hard install. I used GM rears to match bolt patterns with the jag but the explorer rear is also popular. Lots of pics in both my build threads, not the same year but the work is the same.

 

I will get a picture, but geeze there isn't much to look at yet. Illinois is so unforgiving on old metal. Thanks for the input, and I will have some reading to do now!

 

Actually, this is my favorite so far. I haven't found any terrible down sides to a Corvette front suspension. And the rear is starting to look good to me as well.

 

I do have to ask what the experience has been with the ebay mustang 2 front ends. The price ends up better than many of the used directions a person can go. Corvette front and a kit cost that much before coil overs are added and any parts that need replacement.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1953-1956-FO...xT0Taz&vxp=mtr

 

I can't comment on current kits as I have been out of the F100 build game way too long. When I first built my 53 it was very common to used a donor swap. If you go that route, I would suggest you think forward to parts availability and cost. You may have this truck much longer than you think.

Just a few random thoughts that may or may not help....

-Popular sports cars will likely be supported forever, less popular cars not so much.
-Match the suspension to the drivetrain load it will bear, at least to some degree.
-If you buy a kit that uses custom parts, be confident the vendor will still be around in 10 years.

15 years ago I installed a Volare IFS when they were already old. No regrets as it still drives outstanding and served me well. But I gathered spare parts on the cheap while they were easy to find and cheap.

 

I would be EXTREMELY cautious of any no-name, really cheap kit found on ebay or elsewhere. Some here have tried that route and every one ended in disaster. They're made on the cheap off-shore with inferior parts and components, and typically guys run into failure before ever hitting the street. I'm not saying this one is, but why risk it.

The Crown Vic went through a front suspension redesign in '03, which put everything on a bolt-in aluminum cradle. It added r/p steering, bigger brakes, and moved the wheel offset way negative. Different wheels will be required, and possibly modification of the crossmember for a good fit. Some have done it and ended up with tire/fender issues. The earlier cars would require a full frame graft to make work, just like the old days with the Camaro front ends.

Unless you're dead set on IFS, don't discount rebuilding the stock straight axle and using lowering springs to achieve your desired ride height. This can be done much cheaper and faster than modifying the entire truck, looks good and rides nice, too

 

Good point on the parts availability. Since a BBC is going up front, I'm not really interested in the straight axle going forward.

 

Corvette front suspension is in the shop. Now the truck needs to wander in there and I need to get the kit ordered. I have to get some winterizing done around the homestead first. Work work work!