I have a 55 F100 and want to upgrade the stock front suspension to a Mustang II setup. I have looked at a bunch of them and think that I want to with the JW Rod Shop one. Does anyone have any experience with them. I am going to have a local shop install it. I think I want to go with the 2' drop spindles but I would like to see what it would look like. I want to stick with the 15" wheels as I like the old school look. I want to drop it, just not in the weeds. It currents has a 390FE and a 3 speed toploader. If anyone has any pics of a similar setup I would live to see them. Here is what it looks like now.

 

I'm sure you'll get some pics and replies from those that have done it but I believe the drop spindles are thought of as a little too much for those that don't want it in the weeds .

 

I would recommend that you take a few measurements of your truck as it sits right now and then decide how much lower you would like to go with it. Take the measurements at the frame at the point where the new crossmember will mount. JW Rod Shop should be able to provide a dimensioned drawing showing their crossmember with spindle ride height. Using your current frame height measurement as a point of reference you should be able to calculate your new ride height with the JW IFS system installed. A good point to remember...a properly installed IFS will have the lower control arms parallel to the road surface when parked. Good luck...

 

The mustang II is going to drop it low. As said before going with the dropped spindles will be way to much. I am running stock spindles and it sits low. Maybe not low enough some others but low enough for me. Remember your original center line does not center the wheels in the fender. It has to move forward. .

 

NOT a F100, ... but on my f1 the dropped spindles worked well. It is mostly about the stance then the lowness, ... (and I live on a gravel road.)

 

Hey Thifty, could you possibly post the measurement of the bottom of your fender to the ground and the height of your front tire? I love the 3" wider fenders on your truck. I am doing that eventually that to my truck too.

 

Are you going to lower the rear also?

 

Yes, definitely. I recently bought an Explorer 3.73 rearend that I will put in. I think I will stick with leaf springs. I definitely want some rake to it.

 

That's good.. cause it would look awful funny if you didn't
I went with Posie's springs.And frame brackets & extended shackles from Mid Fifty.
With the setup I have there is only about 3" of clearance between the axle & the bumpers.

 

I have 7 inches of ground clearance from fender. Running board is about the same. Not sure if this is the measurement you want tire is 25 inches tall. I also have the posie springs. I may have to raise mine a bit. I went with 2 other adjustments to get it lower. I will have to wait till I can test drive it. Btw all your trucks have nice stances. Hey John do you have a rear pic of your sway bar set up?

 

Thanks for the info. I measured mine and I am at about 9.25 inches at the back of the front fender and my tire height is 26 inches. I definitely dont want the drop 2 spindles if the standard spindles dropped yours that far. What motor do you have? I would think that my heavy 390 probably drops it down a bit too.

 

As was stated the lower control arms should be level when sitting so you need to have heavier springs if you have a heavier motor .

 

I have a small block in mine. I bought a Heights crossmember. Then I was in person at a big parts house and showed them my upper a/arm and needed the lower to match. and also needed springs. They screwed up and mis matched everything. So I sent it back. I went with a guy named Gayle Bridges. Company is Gayleco. Customer service is great. He also will take the time to explain everything. He set me up with all I needed

 

 

Mr. Thrifty,
I think you have achieved the perfect stance. I would not go any lower either. Love that look.

B