The vertical support gusset inside the frame rails was not Fatman engineering but was designed by Joe Clinton and myself to better stiffen the frame and stop frame flexing which could lead to metal fatigue. More information to come.

 

Hi

You guys have done a nice install. I like the vertical brace.

Chuck

 

Nice Job on the added security. Looks like a good idea adding those. keep the pics coming, I am wishing for a MII for my truck but having the clip looking at me everyday has me thinking that route is cheaper.

Again Great job
Glack

 

You are not installing the whole kit front end? You are using a donor vehicle? Ed

 

Right. I purchased the front end components from a Mustang that had a bad engine. I have cleaned them and will have them Powder Coated before I install Poly Graphite bushings. The brakes will utilize 11" Granada rotors and I am undecided on the calipers yet.

 

That looks good Charles

Keep taking PICs. It's neat to see it step by step. I still regret not doing that on mine.

 

hey darkman, Looks good. I've got the Fatman MII crossmember welded into my '50 F1 frame. I didn't add the vertical supports that you've fabricated. How's the progress coming along? Will the Granada rotors fit on the MII spindles with no modifications needed?

 

I was going to use MII suspension from a '74 Mustang II in my '51 Panel. Found one at a junk yard with rack and pinion/power steering. Bought for $250 and was going to add it into the frame.



Luckily, I haven't gotten to that step when I bought this Panel.


The guy that owned it before put in a complete Fatman Fabrications MII front end, new rear springs with adjustable heightspindles, and boxed/prepped the frame for paint.

All of the above, including the rest of the Panel truck, for $350. I couldn't hand the money fast enough to the guy.

Ilya

 

Not trying to sound dumb or anything, but which one is the vertical support, the one on the side running up and down, and does the fatman system not have that at all or something?

Steve

 

In the top picture in the first post of this thread it is the verticle piece on the inside of the frame rail below the top spring perch and above the side to side crossmember. That is not included in the Fatman kit it is a Darkman upgrade. On the Fatman kit the crossmember is positioned on the lower (Bottom) of the frame. The original frame is a c frame and as recommended I boxed the frame with 3/16ths plate. I did not like the crossmember just laid up against the frame so the verticle wedge uprights were added. It LOOKS a lot stronger and I'm sure it is. It also reduce flex in that portion of the frame.

Due to Hurricane Ivan I haven't made a lot of progress. For a while I looked at a Torino rotor that was 11 3/4". It required that the outer bearing be sunk deeper in the rotor. The costs of the rotor ($100+) made me decide to not go that way. Not to mention the necessity of carrying a spare rotor as having one machined while you sat on the side of the road was unacceptable. The Granada rotor is a bolt on and I will most likely use it. I may use the late model Mustang caliper that is twin piston. I hope that I may be able to finalize that this summer.

 

Do you know what the front track width would be compared to stock? Kinda worried about that.

Steve

 

This crossmember and other kits as well are stretched over the stock MusII. The stretch varies as to the chassis application. I think mine is a two inch stretch which should give me the same track width as stock. 60" comes to mind but I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that any difference should be negligable.