I have a '56 Merc M100 and a '56 F100 that keep me busy on the weekends. I am about to begin a major frame off rodstoration of my Merc. I have read many tech articles and promos for different IFS conversions. I am not totally sold on any one solution so I am looking for opinions of those who have done one themselves. I can cut and I can weld but I am not thrilled about chopping my Merc in half for only so-so results. Volare vs. Mustang II vs a totally new engineered system such as the Heidts Superride or Total Cost Inv. system. Obviously and engineered system is more "idiot-proof" but I am attempting to be open minded about this. Any thoughts?

 

I put in a Heidts Mustang II crossmember in my 50 ford f1, dropped it about 5". If there was a choice I would of gone with the TCI a far better unit but at the time not available for my year truck. I did go with the power rack and bigger 11 brakes with the tubular a arm to eliminate th0se ugly strut rods. I went with the regular springs and shocks you may want to up grade coil oover though. They don't realy show on these truck and are as I understand not any better in performance. Except to perform a cash removal from the wallet. Let us know what you choose and how it goes. The Volare Is kinda not as clean looking and the engine needs to shifted off center so on the installation and went the mustang route. Ed ke6bnl

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 27-Jun-01 AT 09:16 AM (EST)[/font][p]Ed,

I'm picking up an unfinished project, 1948-50 F-3, in a few weeks.

The truck has a volare front suspension already installed, but not the crossmember/motor mounts. What do you mean about mounting the motor off-center? The truck is coming with a 302/AOD to be installed.

Thanks,

Dave

 

As far as the install for the Volare clip, the way I understand it, the reason for offsetting the engine/transmission is because of the Volare steering box which interrupts with the placement of the engine. It is not the cleanest looking setup but many people feel the adjustability and the ride are well worth it. If anyone disagrees I would love to hear it.

 

That I believe is the reason for the engine offset. The company
www.nolimit.net has a video on the installation and the triming of the outside flanges for a cleaner look and how to set up the motor mounts and alignment proceedure. There phone number is
888-2976032 They seem to know there stuff but the vedio price is a bit high at 35 dollars. Good luck Ed ke6bnl I believe since the 48-52 ford are narrower that a proper offset wheel is needed for the tires to fit in the wheel wells.

 

Dave I have a Volare in my 48 F1 and remounted the engine in the exact same place that it was previosly mounted. I even reused the right frame mount for the engine which is a 351W. The left one had to be fabricated but was no big deal.

 

I am in the process of installing a TCI Mustang II front suspension. This afternoon I pretty much finished up welding all of the holes in the front end (until I ran out of MIG gas and grinding wheels for my Makita!).

To fill the large steering box holes and front spring mount holes I bought some large washers and turned them down in my lathe to the correct diameter and welded them in place inside and out. All of the smaller holes I just welded them on the inside and outside. After the finish welding and grinding, I'll treat the back side of the boxing plates and inside of the frame before welding them in place. Then, it's on to welding the crossmember in place.

I decided to buy the entire kit with a power rack and tubular A-arms so I would have all of the components and not need to parts chase. I don't know exactly what the drop will be but would estimate it to be 4-5".

For motor mounts I'm using Fat-Man Fabrications tubular mounts because they are so nice and clean.

BTW, the engine/tranny combo is a 302/C4.

I have pictures on my website including shots of installation of a big Back Window patch panel which is very very easy to do.

Tim in Burien
While I was fooling around with my '56 F100 dash tonight, I discovered that standard 2" guages will fit into the locations for the guages which allows one to use new gauges. Has anyone played around with that notion?


Tim in Burien
tkbowman@qwest.net
Website: www.users.qwest.net/~tkbowman
(Pacific NW Carshow Information & More)

 

Thanks for all of the thoughts on IFS, I am pretty much sold on the TCI setup, which was my initial gut feeling anyway, so thanks to one and all, we'll see how long it takes me to get this rolling now. By the way, I will be installing a worked over 429 Thunderjet motor when the time comes, transmission of choice is still in the air. So many options, so little time. Is there really such a thing as building a truck on a "budget"? I think not.

 

Be sure to consider the Fatman motor mount. It's a very clean and sanitary installation and helps brace the front end as well.

Look on their website for a picture or I could send you one. It's what I'm using.

Tim in Burien,
Hoping to box in the frame tomorrow on the '56!