Thunderbird IFS?
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
This sounds like a lot of work for when a must simpler Crown Vic suspension would be much better and for about the same price.
The main problem I see is getting the strut brackets setup right. If your off even 1/16" of an inch you will never get the darned thing aligned. Pretty much every strut type suspension has no caster and limited camber adjustments. Having experience with wheel alignment machines even a 1/32" could mean a suspension out of spec. It goes down to .01 degrees especially on toe.
The main problem I see is getting the strut brackets setup right. If your off even 1/16" of an inch you will never get the darned thing aligned. Pretty much every strut type suspension has no caster and limited camber adjustments. Having experience with wheel alignment machines even a 1/32" could mean a suspension out of spec. It goes down to .01 degrees especially on toe.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale,Ca.
The Cougar/T-Bird isn't a "true" strut suspension, but a modified one in sense..as it has upper control arms, vs. a Mc Pherson strut which doesn't.
So as long as you get a few holes lined up on both sides, the "strut" has to come along for the ride.
Havi, if there's a "bolt on" farme mount, get me a pic and some measurements, I can conmpare to the towwers I cut out of the '93 Cougar I had...I'm thinking about 6-7 inches above the frame rails is correct...have to measure to double check.
Really though, this IFS is simple/compact and cheap...as mentioned before, you can buy a complete car with a 5.0/AOD combo, IFS and IRS which will work in your truck, for 500-600 bucks...just depends on how much ambition you have, time to spend, and room to strip and cut up a car
So as long as you get a few holes lined up on both sides, the "strut" has to come along for the ride.
Havi, if there's a "bolt on" farme mount, get me a pic and some measurements, I can conmpare to the towwers I cut out of the '93 Cougar I had...I'm thinking about 6-7 inches above the frame rails is correct...have to measure to double check.
Really though, this IFS is simple/compact and cheap...as mentioned before, you can buy a complete car with a 5.0/AOD combo, IFS and IRS which will work in your truck, for 500-600 bucks...just depends on how much ambition you have, time to spend, and room to strip and cut up a car
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
From: Saskatoon SK Canada
While the IFS does have upper control arms but they aren't in the traditional sense as they have no adjustments. Trust me the strut does more than go along on the ride. Think steering axis inclination.
You can also pick up a Crown vic for cheap also.
BTW Honda uses the same suspension design.
You can also pick up a Crown vic for cheap also.
BTW Honda uses the same suspension design.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 11
From: I live in Leitchfield, KY
Yeah, but I have already cut the front end off a Cougar, and I looked at the hollow unibody frame rails. I am plannin on sliding a pair of rectangular steel tubing in the unibody frame rails then making the unibody frame rails paralell with the ground, and welding the steel tubing to them. Then I'd make a few braces on the way back, and install the IRS.Looks like to me if I keep the front frame pieces paralell to the ground, all the alignment issues will be ok?? Cause I really haven't changed anything? Even if I did get the angle off I could slot the holes on the strut tower, couldn't I??
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale,Ca.
Originally Posted by 51dueller
While the IFS does have upper control arms but they aren't in the traditional sense as they have no adjustments. Trust me the strut does more than go along on the ride. Think steering axis inclination.
You can also pick up a Crown vic for cheap also.
BTW Honda uses the same suspension design.
You can also pick up a Crown vic for cheap also.
BTW Honda uses the same suspension design.
I'll take some pics of the upper towers I cut off the Cougar. I tried to post a pic earlier of the IFS, but couldn't make it work...anyone that is more computer literate than me, care to PM me thier email addy, I can send pics to them and they can post them up.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale,Ca.
If I remember right, the whole tower was formed over into the semi-inner panel and along the legth above the frame rail...so you'd be using a lot of the front end of the car...all the way up to where the hood closed...might not be the best visual-looking route to take...but yes, you are correct...nothing would change...
But again, remember that the upper mount/towers support comes from all the metal above and along the frame....that's why they can be made from such light material.
But again, remember that the upper mount/towers support comes from all the metal above and along the frame....that's why they can be made from such light material.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 11
From: I live in Leitchfield, KY
The strut tower is made of a heavier metal than the apron is, and I am planning on adding some braces from the top of the tower to the frame rail at an angle. This would brace the tower, as I have cut away all the fender rail, and the firewall. All I have is the subframe, and the portion of the unibody frame rail with the strut tower attached. I'll try to get my wife to post a pict? Thanks for the help!
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I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
someone say airbags? http://www.baggedbirds.com/introduction.htm
Ok, here's a '78 f150 coil bracket/tower. An extended/stretched version of this with the proper angle of the MN12 strut top could bolt onto the frame. Also Maximum Motorsports makes caster/camber plates for the fox body, so maybe they have one for the MN12 style, too?
Ok, here's a '78 f150 coil bracket/tower. An extended/stretched version of this with the proper angle of the MN12 strut top could bolt onto the frame. Also Maximum Motorsports makes caster/camber plates for the fox body, so maybe they have one for the MN12 style, too?
Last edited by havi; Oct 4, 2007 at 06:47 PM.
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
here's a side shot...see it's a little more beefy than sheet metal. It's just a thought of how you could mount it without using all that sheet metal. I also snapped a pic of my '87 tc project that shows an even line where you could put a frame rail/rect. tube. But I'll save it for later if needed.
Last edited by havi; Oct 4, 2007 at 06:53 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 11
From: I live in Leitchfield, KY
Hey Havi, we just put them picts on, and that's as good as it gets!! Can anyone blow them up?? How the heck do you post picts on here anyway????? I think we did it WRONG!!! I'm so confused
I need help!! (make up your own joke)
I need help!! (make up your own joke)
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
stick of dynamite will do the trick. If you open your pic on your computer with paint, go to the menu at the top and search for "image" drop down will show sketch/skew click on that and change the 100% numbers to 200%, or some other number, but keep playing with it til it's right, then save it as "something"+"small", then paste it on here.
