IFS on 56'

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Dec 18, 2002 | 05:02 AM

rfillion

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From: Varennes Canada

IFS on 56'

I'm starting with a used but A-1 shape 56' chassis rail, what would be my best route for a IFS without having to buy a new one.

Front clip choices...and where can I get some instal info like books and video's ?

Dec 18, 2002 | 10:34 AM

GreatNorthWoods

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From: Littleton, New Hampshire

IFS on 56'

There aren't that many choices, and your welding and fabricating abilities have a lot to do with which one you go with. The easiest would be either the Chrysler torsion bar suspension or AMC Pacer. Neither of these require you to cut the frame completely off like a Camaro, T-Bird, Fairlane, Aerostar, and others I've read about. The only video available that I know of is for the Chrysler torsion bar installation into a 53-56. The Pacer would be harder to find and possibly harder to get parts for. Your best bet for installation information is rod magazines like Classic Truck and Custom Classic Truck. There is probably more information available for the Mustang II suspension installation than anything else.

Dec 18, 2002 | 06:35 PM

fatfenders

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From: Iowa

IFS on 56'

Vern

The Aerostar does not require extensive welding skills as the frame does not need to be hacked off at the firewall. My impression is that it may be the easiest of them all. I have NO first hand experience with Aerostar. Just know it isn't violent like a LTD/Camaro clip etc.

Do a search of this thread rfillion. You will find a ton of discussion on the IFS topic.

'fenders

Dec 19, 2002 | 07:30 AM

GreatNorthWoods

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From: Littleton, New Hampshire

IFS on 56'

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Dec-02 AT 08:31 AM (EST)]Fenders,

I stand corrected. I don't know much about the Aerostar installation either, but if you can do one without cutting off the frame, then I agree that it's one of the easier ones like the Pacer and Volare. Also, since that suspension is newer than the others, it may be the preferred route for someone with limited welding ability.

Dec 19, 2002 | 08:59 AM

truckfarmer

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From: Illinois

IFS on 56'

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Dec-02 AT 10:09 AM (EST)]The Aerostar doesn't require any frame cutting. It gives you poere rack and pinion steering with big disk brakes. That's the good news. The downside is that it will set a little higher than some of the others. Also, the front track width is wider. That can remedied with offset in the wheels.
With all the talk of the Dakota swap, would you have to use 6 lug wheels like the Dakota does? Would that require using the 6 lug Dakota rearend also? I was looking at a Dakota the other day and realized that they have an extra lugnut.

Dec 20, 2002 | 07:05 AM

GreatNorthWoods

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From: Littleton, New Hampshire

IFS on 56'

Wonder how much wider it is than a Volare, because the Volare is marginal width on 48-52 trucks already at about 61 inches. I think the 53-56 are a couple of inches wider, so maybe they can take the extra width. I think I've seen some 5 lug Dakotas, so perhaps it depends on the year. If the demand for the Dakota suspension gets large enough, I'm sure we'll see some aftermarket rotors with a five bolt pattern like the Mustang IIs.