Yet another IFS question.....

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Dec 22, 2003 | 11:35 AM

svooom

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Joined: Jan 2003

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From: Rochester, NY, USA

Yet another IFS question.....

Happy holiday's all!

From the research that I've done, it seems that the cheapest way for me to get an IFS set up on my truck is to buy a MII cross member and hack the front end off of a Mustang at the boneyard, replace the junk components, and clean it up a bit.

The questions that I have are:

1) Are the MII tubular A-arms just for cosmetic reasons or do they increase the strength of the front end?

2) if I buy a cross member, will the components off the donor car bolt right on or are the new cross member or are the kits made specificaly for the aftermarket suspension components?

3) If I choose to use air bags, what do I need to replace to do so?

Thanks in advance for your help

Dec 22, 2003 | 01:19 PM

GreatNorthWoods

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Joined: Apr 2002

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From: Littleton, New Hampshire

Re: Yet another IFS question.....

Svooom,

I can answer some of your questions.

I don't think the MII is the cheapest route even with boneyard parts and they are getting harder and harder to find. The Mustang you need the front suspension parts off of is a 74-78 Mustang II or 74-80 Pinto. Even using boneyard parts, you would still probably want new ball joints, tie-rod ends, and probably a new or rebuilt rack and pinion. Then, you still need a kit to convert to disc brakes as the tiny discs on the Mustang IIs and Pintos are too small for a truck.

As far as the tubular control arms are concerned. Tubular steel is much stonger than the stamped steel originals, so they are preferable. That also adds about $250 to the suspension cost.

Most if not all of the Mustang II crossmember kits are designed to bolt on 74-78 Mustang II or Pinto components. Almost all of the components are available in the aftermarket, however.

I can't answer the air bag question. You didn't say what year your truck was, but if you are going the cheap route on an IFS, your best bet is going to be a Volare install.

Last edited by GreatNorthWoods; Dec 22, 2003 at 01:22 PM.

Dec 23, 2003 | 08:58 AM

tacson

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Joined: Apr 2003

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From: Murfreesboro, Tennessee

I agree the cheapest route is the Volare. I say that even though I have a 87 Ford Crown Vic front clip on my 55'. The price of a Volare about $200 to $300 in the salvage yard along with a competent welder and soime of the folks who frequent this forum and have been there done that and got the pictures to prove it like John in Birmingham can help you get to the promised land. What part of the country are you in? The MII is going to cost you a little more than you think.

Dec 23, 2003 | 09:30 AM

svooom

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From: Rochester, NY, USA

My truck is a '54 and I live in upstate NY.

Believe it or not my local yard has about 6 MII's with the front ends still attached. There aren't many rod builders around these parts to tear them up.

I would like to stay away from torsion bar suspension because I believe that this prohibits me from ever using air bags (correct me if I'm wrong).

Thanks for your help.

Dec 23, 2003 | 05:16 PM

tacson

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From: Murfreesboro, Tennessee

True torsion bars will prohibit the use of Air bags but your inital post discussed being the cheapest and that I what I was replying to. Best wishes in whatever front end you put on

Dec 24, 2003 | 08:46 AM

truckfarmer

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Joined: Nov 2000

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From: Illinois

I will have to chime in to say IMO the Aerostar is the cheapest IFS. And it is adaptable to airbags. Haven't seen this issue argued lately!

Dec 24, 2003 | 09:35 AM

58hotrod

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Joined: Dec 2003

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From: Mooresville (south of indy)

Putting bags under the front can be done to a stock mustang II supension. The thing that needs to be changed are the lower control arms. Lower arms setup for bags are available from all of the after market suspension companies i.e. Heidts, Fatman, TCI, ect. Plus the new lower arms are full a arm which mean you can eliminate those ugly strut rods.