Decided to do the Crown Vic swap on my 54. Bought a front end from an 2008 for a good price. Thinking of keeping the stock rear for now. Truck will be patina and LS powered.

Can the stock rear end hold up to 300HP? Does an axle flip require a c notch? Thanks

 

I did a Crown Vic front end on my 55. You will have the option of setting the front end up, into the recess of the frame or as far down as flush with the bottom of the frame. If it was straight on the bottom. The drop is about 3 inches to 5 inches depending on how you mount the front end. This decision will affect how low you go in the back. I did not do an axle flip so I can not give you advice on that issue. I went with the flush mounted Crown Vic front end and the truck is fairly low with about a 3 inch drop in the front. I did not want to be so low that I have to worry about parking lot speed bumps.

The only down side that I see for the CV front suspension is that it is wide because many modern cars use inset wheels. The CV is no exception. The factory rear end will not match. It will probably hold the horsepower of a LS engine, but the factory frame will not, over time. I would box the frame and find a rear end that matches the width. I prefer not to notch the frame, but if done right it will work. I just do not need a truck that low.

Good luck with your build.

 

Measure the distance between the bottom of the spring pack and the bottom of the axle housing. Then measure the distance between the top of the spring pack and the bottom of the frame rail above it. See what the difference is. I'm guessing you'll find there's not a lot of room left there for suspension travel.

 

I have recently swapped rear suspensions to a 4-link with a 8.8 rearend. I have a 9 inch rearend with 3.0 gears and new trac lok, leaf springs, lower and upper shock mounts, new shocks, etc. if you are interested.


Shown with disk brakes which are not included but I do have another set if interested.

 

Sure wish you were closer Charlie. I'm looking for a 3.0, 28 spline, 9" pumpkin. Trac Lok would be a plus.

 

The pumpkin is out, sitting on the shelf wrapped in plastic, new gear set, new bearings, new trac lok. Disassembled the rear end some time ago to make it easier to move around.

 

Would you sell it separate? If so how much.