63 front end drop
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From: Burkburnett, Texas
CPP lists a front drop axle (2") for a 57-60. I know the 57-64 uses some of the same chassis components (tie rod ends, king pins), but I'm not sure if the axle is the same. They also list some front springs (mono springs) that will lower the front end either 3" or 4". That's about the only options that I know about, other than installing an IFS.
Good luck,
Vern
Good luck,
Vern
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Hey Joshua,
Welcome to the best Ford Truck site on the web. I like your enthusiasm. Fix it up like you want and drive it! Pre 65's don't have many drop options that I know of. Like pootscratch said, most people swap out the whole front end. One other option is to flip it like you can do on the rear. Take a look at my gallery. Purist's beware...
Welcome to the best Ford Truck site on the web. I like your enthusiasm. Fix it up like you want and drive it! Pre 65's don't have many drop options that I know of. Like pootscratch said, most people swap out the whole front end. One other option is to flip it like you can do on the rear. Take a look at my gallery. Purist's beware...
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Tiremine, i looked at your pictures, puttung the leaf spring under the axle will lower the truck and work?, because that i may be able to do, also how much lower will it make the front end go down?
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Im planning to do a somewhat custom job on the truck because its not worth restoring to orginal(well i belive it isnt) it has bad rust in/on the cab, flors are gone, cab floor mounts gone, and so is the inside front of the door steps, it also needs cab corners. 
so i plan to weld in new floors and get replacement cab corners, also the bed is pretty bad, but i plan to cut 1-3 inches off the bottom of everything on the bed, so it will be lower, and then ill make mounts for it to go back on. and then make a wood floor. i want to lower the frotn end down a little and build up the engine. (223 I-6) with at least headers, and preferiably new carb. Thats the basics of what i plan to do with the time i have left in the country
any help and advice would be greatly appriciated
i have a gallery with it in, the floors have been cut out, and im tryign to get the brakes done, but i cant get one brake drum off. any suggestions?
i also have the fuel/spark problem as listed before
i hope to get it moving again soon
so i plan to weld in new floors and get replacement cab corners, also the bed is pretty bad, but i plan to cut 1-3 inches off the bottom of everything on the bed, so it will be lower, and then ill make mounts for it to go back on. and then make a wood floor. i want to lower the frotn end down a little and build up the engine. (223 I-6) with at least headers, and preferiably new carb. Thats the basics of what i plan to do with the time i have left in the countryany help and advice would be greatly appriciated
i have a gallery with it in, the floors have been cut out, and im tryign to get the brakes done, but i cant get one brake drum off. any suggestions?
i also have the fuel/spark problem as listed before
i hope to get it moving again soon
Last edited by Young_unn; Jan 13, 2006 at 04:15 PM.
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From: Red Deer Canada
Sounds like you are going "old skool". I've heard of some guys using the Volare IFS in the old Slicks, but I've never seen it. I put this set-up in my '56 and love it. It's fully adjustable and easy to install. When it's installed, you end up with power steering and power brakes. It's called a K member and unbolts from the donor car quite easily. Then you notch out your frame to the same contour as the K member and weld it in. Add boxing plates to the inside of the frame and there you go. Some welding skills are required. I did it myself, but I'm sure you could get a welder to do it for a few bucks. I got the K member for free from a buddy, but they can't be much in the junk yard. I added some new parts so the entire job only cost me around $100.. 
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Originally Posted by phat56
Sounds like you are going "old skool". I've heard of some guys using the Volare IFS in the old Slicks, but I've never seen it. I put this set-up in my '56 and love it. It's fully adjustable and easy to install. When it's installed, you end up with power steering and power brakes. It's called a K member and unbolts from the donor car quite easily. Then you notch out your frame to the same contour as the K member and weld it in. Add boxing plates to the inside of the frame and there you go. Some welding skills are required. I did it myself, but I'm sure you could get a welder to do it for a few bucks. I got the K member for free from a buddy, but they can't be much in the junk yard. I added some new parts so the entire job only cost me around $100..
also can i get pictures of this job finished. it would be great if there is pictures of the whole job as it was getting done.
and thanks -josh
what would be involved in this? would i need to pull the engine?
Last edited by Young_unn; Jan 13, 2006 at 08:55 PM.
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From: Red Deer Canada
IFS = Independant Front Suspension. "K" member = Chrysler's name for thier IFS that they used on certain vehicles, like the Volare and Aspen. All the pictures I took of the installation I did are on photo paper, not digital. When you go to the yard, you'll be looking for some sort of front end from a Cryco. product -mid 70's Volare, Aspen - K member. They should know what you're talking about. If you search the Net you'll find pics, I'm sure.And yes, you'll have to pull the engine, and hood, and inner fender's, so you'll be able to work on the front end. I gotta go......
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Joshua,
I drove mine like that for a couple years, bout drug the headers off the thing. Measure from the top of the springs to the bottom of the axle. Thats the drop.
That said I have to agree that phat56's solution is a better option because of disc brakes and better handling but when I did mine $$$ was tight.
I drove mine like that for a couple years, bout drug the headers off the thing. Measure from the top of the springs to the bottom of the axle. Thats the drop.
That said I have to agree that phat56's solution is a better option because of disc brakes and better handling but when I did mine $$$ was tight.
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From: Red Deer Canada
If you go to the top of this window amd click on Articles/Spes. then go to steering/suspension. Click on Part 3 and you can get a bunch of info on this swap. You can also search the WWW for "volare ifs" and get a lot more. It will help you decide. There is also many articles that list many other choices. Your only limited by time and $. Good luck - Bill
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im running short on time big time now, just sold our hosue in america, so my countdown begins, tiremine do you have pics of the suspension lowed and in the process of being lowerd, and what do you have to do?
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From: Illinois
Young'unn, go to the tech articles. The 48-60 forum put together a set of articles on what to do with their front suspensions. Their trucks have the same frame width as the 61-79, so all of that info can apply. If you consider the Chrysler IFS, do yourself a favor and spend $30 on the video from No Limit Engineering.
Email me and I can send photos of the Chrysler IFS in a 63 F100. We did that to my son's 63 and it has been on the road almost 5 years now.
Email me and I can send photos of the Chrysler IFS in a 63 F100. We did that to my son's 63 and it has been on the road almost 5 years now.