Hello everyone i`m new to this forum, just bought myself a 54 F-100, basically it is in parts , the brother of the previous owner had started work on the truck 15 years ago so it will be a big puzzle to complete..
The first thing i want to do is upgrade the suspension, I have read a bit on the different Ifs/Irs options. I want to go for the corvette one.

Question 1: Which rear is the best one, the truck came with a Chevy 350 and a th350 transmission they said it should put out 360 hp ? Question 2: Which front is the best, is there any major different from 84-96? Question 3: How big wheels/rims can i put on the truck will 22`s fit?

Finally I`m from Norway so bear with me on the gramma and spelling.

 

Have you read about the Jaquar IFS and IRS?

 

I have installed Corvette IFS/IRS in my 50 Merc and I am installing a C4 IFS in my 56 F100. The early C4 IFS is about an inch narrower than the later C4, not sure what the break-off year was but you can tell if you have an early C4 by measuring the distance between the bolts on the upper A-arm mount, they will be 6-3/8 inches. Not sure what that is in metric units.
There is a shop here in S. Calif that makes a weld-in crossmember for the F100/C4 installation, not cheap and not necessary if you are on a budget. The frame rails on the F100 are about 3 inches wider than the C4 so when you install the C4 IFS you will need to box in the frame accordingly. Most people will not use the carbon fiber leaf and will go with a coilover shock assembly. Hope this helps somewhat.

 

The differences aren't that much. You should find your Vette parts first and then buy the crossmember to match. It's easier to find the parts that way. The Corvette IFS for 88-96 also has a bit larger diameter brakes over the 84-87 version, making it the preferable one of the 2 kits available (if you like the most braking that you can get). I spoke to the owner of Flat-Out Engineering that makes the install kit and he told me the Vette weighs a little more than the average F100 so it's a great choice for the truck. I'm interested in using them too because I like the sports car idea. The front kit is a weld in, but the rear can be bolted in. Some of the rear install can be welded if you choose to. If you can find a wrecked Vette of one of those years, you may be able to do pretty well on your spend for parts. Use as much of the Vette as you can and sell the rest of the car. Maybe you can use seats and such???

 

There is another IRS option... using a Ford Thunderbird or Lincoln Mark 8 rear subframe. go to http://www.truckIRS.com for more info.

dave
Cocoa Beach FL

 

Are Corvette suspensions very available/cost effective in Norway??? They aren't very available here, and usually expensive, so they aren't used very often. The Jag should be much more available there I'd expect.
Again on the rear it depends on what's available there. The Jag rear is a good choice if you want IRS as well, plenty strong with good gear ratio. Here the solid rear of choice is the Ford 9", but the Ford 8" is more plentiful in the right width and is even used in some Scandanavian cars (Volvo IIRC) and is plenty strong for your engine. Check the "articles and specs" tab at the top of the page for info on the various rear end choices and measurements. You have donor choices there that we know nothing about because they are not imported into the states. Street rodding is popular there, have you looked around for a local club or group?

 

I really want the corvette ifs for the looks and handle . It looks like i`m going to import the Ifs/Irs from your contry (USA), found two bare corvette c4 frames in Norway with only the ifs/irs on it but both wanted 3900 usd for it. I expect to pay from 1000 usd - 1500 usd for it in the US (Ebay) or a corvette salvage yard.

 

did a search for your IFS on car-part.com got only one hit @ 1350.00. I can find complete Jags donor cars for 400-600.00 and get both the front and rear IS out of it. Jags have to be more plentiful in European salvage yards than here.
The Corvette has nothing over the Jag in either looks or handling, and the Jag is nearly a bolt in without needing any additional parts to buy (crossmember, coilovers, modified steering, custom swaybar, etc) that will likely double or triple the cost of the Corvette install over the front clip cost, not to mention the costs to ship, customs etc. By the time you are done with the C. install it would be more cost effective to buy a complete aftermarket IFS assembly and have everything brand new and designed to work together and on your truck. The Corvette IFS install will NOT give you the handling of a Corvette in your truck with it's much higher center of gravity and roll center than the suspension was designed for, nose heavy weight and with a solid rear axle assembly. The Jag is the right width, the crossmember is part of the assembly, has big disk brakes, R&P steering, the springs and sways are the right size, and even has the Chevy bolt pattern. The Jag weight and weight distribution is very similar to our trucks. The IRS will also nearly bolt in with the original cage, or the parts are readily available to uncage it if sexy looks are whats really imortant, and using both your truck WILL handle like a Jag. What more could you want?

 

Hmmm you really got my head spinning... So what you mean is that the Jag option does handle better than the Corvette one?

 

Dave, are you the owner of TruckIRS?

Do you know how much the TBird/Cougar/Lincoln system weighs? It looks heavy.

 

Yes, especially if you use the rear IS setup as well. Since it was designed for a vehicle with a similar weight and higher center of gravity, plus you can use all the matching parts without needing to change the track width with it's accompanying steering geometry issues, trying to figure out proper spring rates, shock length, mounting geometry and valving, swaybar size and shape and mounting, etc.
The Jag setup is independently mounted to it's own removable crossmember, the mounting is just 2" narrower than the F100 frame so a little trimming of either the crossmember or the frame and in it goes. The swap is very popular in England and Australia where it is the suspension of choice in many hot rods.
It's a very long post, but worth reading thru: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...hlight=jag+ifs

And here is a good article by one of our UK bretheren on his install in a 55 F100 with great pictures as well: http://www.uk-hotrods.co.uk/garage_s...e/page%201.htm

 

Yes, I'm the owner of truckIRS.com as well as team321.com

The subframe is 'easily' manuevered by one person, but it is made of steel and is therefore not light... The differential itself is the heaviest piece in the entire assembly - but that is the same no matter what rear suspension you choose.

I have never weighed the assembly, but I've moved both the Ford and Jag IRS units recently and can say their weight is comparable... but since the Jag cage is lighter than the ford subframe, the overall weight of the jag is less.

I will have my product in plain view at the SuperNats in Knoxville. - not that I don't want to sell more of them prior to the event...

dave
Cocoa Beach FL
truckIRS.com

 

I'm in the middle of the Corvette IFS/IRS install as we speak. I have an early model c4, and even though the bigger brakes would be nice, I don't feel that they are a necessity. I bought the bracket kit from Flat Out (a little less than 1600 shipped) and feel like it was a good deal for the amount of work and math it saved. You can bolt on the rear brackets, but I welded (or am welding) everything except the pinion crossmember. The rear is in, except for coil overs and finish welding. Only snag so far is the pinion being 2 degrees down in front, when what I really need is 2 degrees up. I'll probably be doing a little cutting and welding, but will wait until I get the front end and tires/wheels to take final measurements. The frame is set at 2 degrees of rake, and I'm planning on running 18's front, 20's rear. Coil overs on back and air ride in front to be able to get out of my steep driveway without scraping. I may change my mind and air ride the back too.

Check my gallery for a pic

 

Welcome MK!
Looking good from what I can see, do share some more pix with us as well as a complete rundown of the install.

 

Welcome Migkillr
I'm doing the Corvette C4 with the FlatOut kit also for the IRS. The front is the Corvette crossmember. A PO had started the IRS but I didn't care for the way it was set up so I'm changing it. I've been off track lately working on a daily driver but plan to get back on it soon. Have you determined the size coilovers you are using for the rear? Have you encountered any problems I should look out for? Thanks for the photo. Post some more when you get them.