Why is this done?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clarita
I believe it's personal choice. I've lowered my truck and still retain the stock suspension components. I love the stance of the vintage truck when the wheelwells are filled with tires and rims. As mentioned, it's sexy. It turns heads and catches peoples attention. For me, it makes driving the truck more enjoyable. I guess you say it stands out from the normal crowd.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Originally Posted by imlowr2
I believe it's personal choice. I've lowered my truck and still retain the stock suspension components. I love the stance of the vintage truck when the wheelwells are filled with tires and rims. As mentioned, it's sexy. It turns heads and catches peoples attention. For me, it makes driving the truck more enjoyable. I guess you say it stands out from the normal crowd.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Auburndale, Florida
It's personal preference of course but for me a couple of the powerful reasons for staying with Henry's original setup was that you could do the rebuild a piece at a time as funds allowed and once done, it's pretty hard to break it! Plus the straight axle makes such a dandy jacking point and besides...whenever I gaze upon it I'm just blinded by the light!
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 5
From: Shasta Lake, Ca.
One thing I have found out with all this IFS stuff is you can louse payload capacity. I do a lot of towing. Yesterday I went with a buddie of mine who has a 59 f-100 with a Mustang 2 IFS in it and lower.. He tryed to hook up my 5th wheel trieler to his tuck and it bottom right out.. Comes to find out the with the set up he bought he lost 1000# of payload capacity.. We had to go back to my place and get my truck.. I did some research on IFS setup and most do state in there fine print that you may in most cases louse towing capacity.. To my this is a waste of a good truck than.. I like my solid axle and the ride no problem for me.. But 99% of the time I think modders are looking more for coolness than working capacity of there trucks.. thats just my thought on it...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 117
From: Upper Left Coast
All that stuff is good for some.
I'm leaving mine stock.....I don't think I'll have any problem bottoming out!
Cheers,
Rick
I'm leaving mine stock.....I don't think I'll have any problem bottoming out!
Cheers,
Rick
Originally Posted by Madathlon
One thing I have found out with all this IFS stuff is you can louse payload capacity. I do a lot of towing. Yesterday I went with a buddie of mine who has a 59 f-100 with a Mustang 2 IFS in it and lower.. He tryed to hook up my 5th wheel trieler to his tuck and it bottom right out.. Comes to find out the with the set up he bought he lost 1000# of payload capacity.. We had to go back to my place and get my truck.. I did some research on IFS setup and most do state in there fine print that you may in most cases louse towing capacity.. To my this is a waste of a good truck than.. I like my solid axle and the ride no problem for me.. But 99% of the time I think modders are looking more for coolness than working capacity of there trucks.. thats just my thought on it...
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 601
Likes: 1
From: Rancho Cucamonga ca.
I was sucked so hard over to the dark side i was turned wrong side out. Thats the only reason I installed an IFS
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
With me it was a matter of expense. I an building my 48 F-3 on a budget and I wanted disc brakes, power steering, and a lower and better ride. The $150 I paid for the 87 5th Avenue donor car would not have gone very far toward those goals had I kept the straight axle and bought a brake kit, PS kit, dropped axle, or even reversed eye springs. Not only did I use the front suspension, but I used the rear end, rear springs, driveshaft (which was exactly the right length BTW and all I had to do was change the yoke), steering column, brake and gas pedal, master cylinder and booster, and most of the wiring. 
Vern
Vern
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 3
From: okla
AXracer, I do know that a beam axle can be set up to ride and drive well, I have had several. I just don't think one of our trucks can be as low as I want it with a good performing beam axle. My friend set his up to be low. Obviously you are happy with your set up and I am sure that is very helpfull to those considering such. It would be helpfull to those folks to see some shots of your front suspension. Joe
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 117
From: Upper Left Coast
I agree!
I like the way my wheel wells are filled too!! (check out my gallery!) Mine seems to turn a LOT of heads.....I notice a lot of people staring! I definitely like being at the same eye level as all those lifted F-350 Super Duties!
(I'll probably raise mine a couple of inches more though...) I don't think mine will ever ride smoothly... Installing a Cummins will round it out quite nicely!
I don't think there's anything wrong with putting a car suspension under a truck if not planning to use it anymore as a real truck.
My neighbor up the street has a 55 F-100 that is pretty much done. He has a big block engine in it with an automatic. Everything is custom. (I'll get a pic of his and mine together and post it in my gallery!...) He has air suspension on it and before it pumps up the bumpers touch the pavement! You have to be careful when standing near it to keep your toes outta the way!!
I like the way my wheel wells are filled too!! (check out my gallery!) Mine seems to turn a LOT of heads.....I notice a lot of people staring! I definitely like being at the same eye level as all those lifted F-350 Super Duties!
(I'll probably raise mine a couple of inches more though...) I don't think mine will ever ride smoothly... Installing a Cummins will round it out quite nicely!
I don't think there's anything wrong with putting a car suspension under a truck if not planning to use it anymore as a real truck.
My neighbor up the street has a 55 F-100 that is pretty much done. He has a big block engine in it with an automatic. Everything is custom. (I'll get a pic of his and mine together and post it in my gallery!...) He has air suspension on it and before it pumps up the bumpers touch the pavement! You have to be careful when standing near it to keep your toes outta the way!!
Originally Posted by imlowr2
I believe it's personal choice. I've lowered my truck and still retain the stock suspension components. I love the stance of the vintage truck when the wheelwells are filled with tires and rims. As mentioned, it's sexy. It turns heads and catches peoples attention. For me, it makes driving the truck more enjoyable. I guess you say it stands out from the normal crowd.
Last edited by HT32BSX115; Jul 22, 2005 at 11:15 AM.
Clean & Classy
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 20
From: Riverside CA..
I think of a truck with a stock stance as being "Daddy's" truck. I wanted to be "cool". I still haven"t grown up, and I still want to be "cool". Too late for me but I'm trying to compensate with my truck!
