Ok, just to clearify, I 'm the Noob! After a 69 chevelle (sold), a 64 Galaxy (sold), 65 Austin American (sold), and a few other lost interests, I've found my way to my next and hopefully LAST project that I Wont SELL. I have a 60 F-100 Panel. Still all original (whats left of it) and I also buying an F-100 Pickup for a donor vehicle. The donor, Im told has a Volare frontend installed. Now, I know Volare as a P.O.S. Mopar! Can someone please explain to the noob, what the hell a Volare front end is?

 

Hi and welcome aboard

There are a few guys here that have picture of there install in there gallery and I'm sure they will reply. Chrysler used these front craddles on quite a few cars. Mine came out from under an 84 Fifth Ave. Independent suspension, torsion bar springs(adjustable ride height) and crossmember all can be bolted on or welded.

 

CB...
back in the days before Mustang II and Jag ifs aftermarket kits... a popular way to lower a truck and improve the ride was to graft in a front subframe from a 7-s-80s K-car. it was easy to remove... reasonably easy to gas axe into the frame rails of a f-100, gave infinite adjustability (vertically) for the perfect stance ...with or without bump steer...your choice and in the bargain added disc brakes and power steering... It was affordable and readily available for a couple hundred bucks at the junk yard... Bobco has made a good living putting them under our favorite rides... With the advent of MII units and air bags and trick coilover suspension options... the volare clip has lost some of it's luster but if you want to overcome it's install and interference problems it's still a very viable, safe, smooth suspension for our babies... now you know the rest of the story...

There's lots of discussion/articles available here and elsewhere on the install, rebuilding, and removal (if you want) of the Volare subframe.... use the search feature and do a little googling on the net...

later... oh... and welcome to FTE

John

 

Welcome aboard!! An orphan years panel is a cool thing!!

Nothing wrong with a Volare suspension. Its basically a MOPAR torsion bar independent front suspension set up from the mid sized MOPAR cars. Its plenty stout and reliable while still giving a decent ride. They are also easily adjustable for ride height.

Bobby

 

I bought a frame with one in it a few years ago and studied it and all the info I could find before decideing to go forward with a build. I was able to drive the truck late last year before going any further with the body and paint and found it to ride much like a car. I used a medium duty gas shocks and rebuilt the front end. I have it set with the lower arms level and the Vol is set up farther in the frame so it sits low. It has not bottomed out and I like the ride. I did spring a leak in the P/S last week and had to replace the gearbox at 150.00 and 204.00 in labor so that was not good. However, if I were do do it all over again, I would most likely go with a Mii that is set up for trucks. Perhaps a Wide Ride,Heidts,or the CE bolt in. The parts are lower cost, more available and you have a lot of choices like coil overs,airbags,drop spindles,tubular arms,stainless, big brakes, and so on. It may cost more up front, but I believe it would ever be for fun to build. I will keep this truck and the volare until it dies and then I will just put it on a Walton chassis. By the way, there is now a rack and pinion kit for the Volare in F-100 trucks. I found it after I bought the gearbox, toobad so sad. Good luck to you and keep us tuned. Jon

 

Jon, what's the scoop on the rack and pinion for Volares??

 

Hi,

Try www.weedetrstreetrod.com

When I first looked at the web site I couldn't find the price so I sent him a note and his reply was $595.00 for the kit.

In the meantime I did find the web price and as of today it is still listed as $495.

Chuck

 

Sorry no fast reply Cherrybomb. Thanks, Chuck....been cruising all weekend and not near the net. That is the kit and the supplier that I was referring to. 500 is the price I got as well. If I would have found this in time , or before committing to an order for the box, I would have gone this route to get the box away from the headers. So far I don't think the heat has been a problem but I have in/out ceramic sandersons and the engine runs 160 at any speed, but I think R/P would be the next step if the box goes south. I guessing that no members gave done this yet as I have never read it here. Anyway, goodluck on deciding and keep us posted.

Jon

 

Sorry I didn't get to you sooner, I've been busy driving my P.O.S. Volare equipped truck all over town.

Long story short, a Volare front clip is a torsion bar suspension that can be adapted to an Effie with moderate skills, and reasonable money. A little soft for some peoples tastes. (Especially a heavy panel truck) I can take sharp corners in my truck with one finger on the wheel. Basically just a car feel now.

Do a search here for Volare and you'll be reading for days.

Welcome to the forum.

 

Fenders, funny you mention one finger steering on corners. Now that we put in a new ps box on my 56, the little wifey drove the truck for the first time to a car show and mentioned what a pleasure it is to drive and how it was so much easier than the new cars to steer even when parked. She thinks she will be using it more often...NOT!!..By the way, the effie was voted best "project/under construction" (missing only the grill)at a 150 plus car show with a special mention of all the S/S button heads that you sent me. Thanks again. I will post pics to night. Jon, ( the poster formally known as "El Cabron" )

 

Ciaf,
You had me cracking up when I read this post. I read out loud the part in red to my wife. What a hoot.

 

Tacson, I left to see a car for my 16 year old and when I got back my 6 was gone. I about has a heart attack until I noticed the wife's car had been moved over one space allowing the 6 to be driven out of the garage. She decided that after reading the same post that she would prove me wrong. She just told me that the truck handles like "her dads lincoln in a way". She just waited until the right moment , the little skunk. I really need to hide the keys from now on.

Jon

 

If she drove it with out you in it she probably has her own set of keys now. LOL. .............RUSTY

 

If it happens again, maybe I need a different wife AND new keys... I never ever thought she would ever even like the truck as just 3 years ago all she did was crack up each time she saw it. She called it a reeker and a beast. Now she sits ( as I write this ) here and calls it "hers" . Add a little paint and the girls go ga ga.

 

Maybe you need to start on another. Sounds like a good excuse to buy another toy. LOL. .............RUSTY