trucks are a bit too heavy for a stock MII front end from the mid-seventies, IMO. The aftermarket MII's are more suited for the street rod builder....more beef in the pieces.

 

ok so to use stock control arms you would need to add some strength?

 

To use stock MII control arms you'd make sure your life and liability insurance is paid up or else throw all the stock suspension parts away and replace them with aftermarket suspension. Don't spend another minute even considering using OEM MII suspension, it was junk when it was put under a MII!

 

ok im concidering sticking with the straight axle, but what type of springs do you use that ride good? and i found a rack and pinion kit or the straight axle.

 

Seriously, The Jaguar IFS is THE best suspension for under a F1, it is nearly a bolt in swap that is an easier swap than any aftermarket setup and gives you everything anyone could possibly want: excellent geometry, power disk brakes, power R&P, right weight springs, swaybar, ride height, etc etc etc. And the best part is the price is right as well. People around here have been picking up the front setup and/or entire donor cars (the rear IF can also be used with only slight more difficulty) for < 400.00!

 

the possibilties seem endless. im starting to lean twards the straight axle if it can be made ride decent

 

For an apples-to-apples comparison, the <$400 price quoted is to slap a well-used Jag suspension with 100k miles as-is under the truck.

AX, one question I've always had on the Jag swap is durability. How many miles have you got on your set-up now? A lot of miles have been put on MII setups, done properly (quality aftermarket stuff) they seem to last. I'd like to know more about the durability of the Jag R&P etc with truck tires, especially.

 

Currently I have neither a Jag setup or an F1. Personally tho I will put a Jag under Gracie in a heartbeat when one comes along. Durability should not be an issue, the SJ front weight is very close to that of a F1 or F100 with an average SB engine, and durability of the front suspension was not ever a weak point. The SJ used some good sized tires. If anyone is considering using "truck" tires rather than automobile tires, they are planning to use the truck for heavier duty purposes and should not be considering swapping to a IFS but sticking with a truck based setup IMHO. Most of us considering IFS use our trucks as cruisers, not haulers tho.
You are very correct on the aftermarket "MII based" IFS in that they are very durable, but the stock components from a OEM Fox chassis (MII, Pinto, Fairmont) are undersized junk with a really poorly designed trailing strut lower control arm and 9" brakes. Notice how quckly the Fox chassis dissappeared? It was designed to be built as cheap as possible at a time when FMC was in deep financial trouble and looking to maximize profits rather to build a quality vehicle.
IMHO that suspension was the second worse factory design after the Corvair rear swing axle.

 

im thinking about making a tow rig and pull my mustang with it but im not to sure just trying to find out what path i wanna take

 

By "truck tires" I mean say 275/60-15's or such, low profile wide stuff on mags, "street rod tires". On most RWD cars with R&P and wide tires (Mustang, Camaro, TBird, etc) the racks are the weak point (I believe the Jag uses the same Saginaw R&P). Agreed, if you are hauling, the leaf set-up is appropriate.

 

The beam axle design is a very servicable design, but since you have little to nothing to start with, it will be a bit expensive to build up. As suggested if you decide to go that route, take your time to find an already rebuilt front setup from someone doing an IFS conversion. You'll likely want a dropped axle, slipper springs, disk brake conversion and I would suggest a Toyota PS setup rather than the beam axle R&P.

 

how come the toyota set up? and what are slipper springs on the front?

 

To tell you the truth, I have no problem with IFS, but Mine is all stock underneath, Straight axel, leafs everything. The way I look at it, that is what makes it a classic truck, sure the ride is not like a new one. If that is what you are looking for is a new vehicle ride, than I would buy a new vehicle. Less time and in most cases less money. I like the old rough bumpy ride, It make me think of better times, and it makes me feel like I dont have to hurry, I can just go, and best of all I cant hear my cell phone while I am driving it. Just my two cents worth.

Kyle

 

Again the Toyota setup works like it was made for the truck and is an inexpensive bolt in replacement for the stock box.
Slipper springs are aftermarket lowering springs (with or without reversed eye main leaf depending on how much drop you want) that have a "slippery" polymer plastic strips between the leafs that reduces friction and gives a smoother ride. A beam axle can be made to give 90% the ride and handling of an IFS setup.

 

Hey Ax, Gracie is looking good! I agree a stock suspension can ride just as good, I did some research on the toyota box after the bearings broke loose in my stock box. It is amazing how close it is. I ended up just rebuilding my old box, but if you don't have a box, I would get the toyota box.

Kyle