Can anyone tell me if the templates for a '53 to '56 F-100 Volare clip installation will work on a stock '59 F-100 frame? I have the templates available but I'm not sure the frames are close enough that they will work. Anybody done this?? Thanks in advance, Steve

 

The templates barely work on 53-56 since the Volare suspensions varied somewhat from car to car. The No-Limit video which shows you where to notch is a better source of information. I used the video to install a Volare in a 48 which is narrower than a 53-56 so you can use probably one to install one in your 59 as well. The notch is a ballpark cut anyway and you have to do a lot of trimming after you test fit the suspension under the truck.

Vern

 

I can't tell you if it will work in your application or not. BUT, I have a volare clip in my effie, and it's not as great as I thought it would be. Sure you have IFS, adjustable ride height, and power steering. But, since I went with a fairly large engine, 400 Ford, it has been a pain fitting headers around the steering box and the engine is too heavy for the IFS. It rides a bit mushy with gas shocks, rides like a caddy with worn out shocks. Real soft. I'm not going to cut it out and replace it with something else, but I wish I had just gone with something a bit more suited for a truck or a heavier engine. I've heard that there are stiffer KYB shocks available through Summit, so I'm probably going to replace those this summer and see if it helps with the ride quality. I can live with the somewhat mushy ride given that the it's mostly for cruising anyway. But getting around that steering box.....with headers..... I did it, but it's close...

Now, if I had gone with a 302 or even a 289, then I wouldn't think twice. It's lighter, smaller..... Getting around the steering box wouldn't be a problem, more room, and since it is lighter, it would probably ride a bit more rigid. If your going anything along the lines of a 351C/M or 400, or even a 460, I would rethink it. I don't know what, if any engine swap, you are going with. I thought I would just share my experience.

 

That big fat steering box is a problem regardless of what engine you use. I used a smallblock and still had trouble with the steering box. You can offset the engine to the passenger side up to a couple of inches to alleviate. In fact, the Chrysler engine in the suspension was offset. I'm not convinced the weight of the engine has much bearing. I would think that a 318 or 360 Chrysler engine probably weighs in the same neighborhood as a 400 Ford. I think a lot of the mushiness is due to trying to adjust the torsion bars too low, but I like a mushy ride myself. I hope my truck does ride like a Caddy with worn out shocks...

Vern

 

I wonder if the expensive dropped spindles would help 53fat out? Then he'd be able to crank some stiffness into his torsion bars firming up the ride without loosing his ride height setting.....

 

I never thought about that. I'll have to research that out a little bit.

 

53farfndr, did you ever come to a conclusion about the dropped spindles? I'm just getting ready to do a volare clip, and while I'm putting a small-block in right now, my plan was to swap it for a 460 once funds are available.

Oh, also, where did you all get the templates from? I found one set, but they seemed a bit pricier than what I thought they would be... maybe I'm just cheap though!

Thanks,

Ben

 

Ben, I haven't addressed this yet. I'm probably going to start with the shocks and go from there. Given that the truck is just for cruising, I'm not real concerned about it. However, if anybody could tell me where to look into those drop spindles, I would appreciate it. I would like to see how much they cost and if anybody uses them, I would like your opinion on them as well.

 

No Limit Engineering has the dropped spindles.

 

I checked on their website and I only saw drop spindles for MII's and Chevy applications. The only thing for a Volare was the installation video

 

They have them in their catalog. www.fatmanfab.com has them also, $470.00 pair

 

I can do alot with that much money. The ride doesn't bother me enough to spend that much, at least for another year or two