More IFS questions
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 50
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From: South St. Paul, MN
More IFS questions
Hi all
I have a '53 f100 with a volare up front and a 9" in the rear. I bought it this way and am really unhappy with this set up. The tortion bars are cracked up pretty high giving the truck a stance that is only slightly lower than stock. However the ride is still way too soft in the front. I have replaced the front shock and that helped some but the truck still leans terribly around corners.
I am thinking of scrapping the volare and trying something else. Before I stick a bunch of money into something I figured I'd check with those of you that are driving your trucks and actually like the ride quallity.
1. I'm cheap and don't have a huge budget for my truck.
2. The truck will hopefully be a daily driver for me not a show truck
3. I'm NOT looking for something that drives like a lincoln. A sportier ride would be more what I'm looking for.
With that said, any suggession?
I don't have the $$$$ for a mustang II kit.
I'm kinda leaning towards the dodge dakota front end. Is anyone currently riding on one? What do you think?
Thanks
I have a '53 f100 with a volare up front and a 9" in the rear. I bought it this way and am really unhappy with this set up. The tortion bars are cracked up pretty high giving the truck a stance that is only slightly lower than stock. However the ride is still way too soft in the front. I have replaced the front shock and that helped some but the truck still leans terribly around corners.
I am thinking of scrapping the volare and trying something else. Before I stick a bunch of money into something I figured I'd check with those of you that are driving your trucks and actually like the ride quallity.
1. I'm cheap and don't have a huge budget for my truck.
2. The truck will hopefully be a daily driver for me not a show truck
3. I'm NOT looking for something that drives like a lincoln. A sportier ride would be more what I'm looking for.
With that said, any suggession?
I don't have the $$$$ for a mustang II kit.
I'm kinda leaning towards the dodge dakota front end. Is anyone currently riding on one? What do you think?
Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,644
Likes: 55
From: Moro Bay, AR
Because of the amount of frame removed to install the Volare IFS, removal is not an easy task. It can be done, jnolion has done it and did a good write-up on the process. Could the addition of some sway bars front and rear help the ride and leaning problem. I would try this before I tried to remove it. I don't know what sway bar will work on the front, but a bar from a 88 BroncoII is almost a direct bolt-in with a 9" rear-end.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 165
From: Harpswell Maine
The way to reduce body roll in a corner is a larger sway bar. I would investigate aftermarket bars for the Volare first.
Before I started on my truck I drove a very nice 56 with the Volare IFS. I also found it to be softer than I wanted and based on that I decided to go the Jaguar route. Since my truck continues to be a work in process I can't provide any personal feedback on the Jag setup. Holmsey from across the pond did a 55 with Jag both front and rear which hit the road recently. I know that he has been happy with the handling. Holmsey is running a stock Jag sway bar, 3/4" in front. That is what I currently own however I plan to drive the truck first with the standard bar and if I experience more body lean than I want I will upsize the bar with one of the aftermarket ones (readily available up to 1" diameter). There are a number of members on the forum running the Volare IFS who can help you more with specifics.
It all comes down to personal preferences.
Before I started on my truck I drove a very nice 56 with the Volare IFS. I also found it to be softer than I wanted and based on that I decided to go the Jaguar route. Since my truck continues to be a work in process I can't provide any personal feedback on the Jag setup. Holmsey from across the pond did a 55 with Jag both front and rear which hit the road recently. I know that he has been happy with the handling. Holmsey is running a stock Jag sway bar, 3/4" in front. That is what I currently own however I plan to drive the truck first with the standard bar and if I experience more body lean than I want I will upsize the bar with one of the aftermarket ones (readily available up to 1" diameter). There are a number of members on the forum running the Volare IFS who can help you more with specifics.
It all comes down to personal preferences.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
I can't wait to get mine out on the road.. it has a 1-1/8th bar in front, and I just added a 7/8 hollow bar bar in the back. The rear bar has already tightened up the whole vehicle just sitting in the garage.
but 1-1/8th is as big a front bar as I have seen referenced or listed anywhere. I did replace all the bushings with polyurethane (from energy suspensions) when I rebuilt the front end..
Sam
but 1-1/8th is as big a front bar as I have seen referenced or listed anywhere. I did replace all the bushings with polyurethane (from energy suspensions) when I rebuilt the front end..
Sam
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: cleveland,Oh.
Mr.N I have a volare clip in my 53 I used the 6 cylinder one, if you can find a Dodge diplomat big sedan or there was also a chrysler that used the same k member I cant remember the name of it. It has 1 1/16 " diameter sway bar mine came off of and cop car! The one you have is half that size. I have no issues with roll, good luck.
Bob
Bob
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: South St. Paul, MN
I do have a second bare frame that I was going to use. Like you said removing the volare would be a big job. Does anyone have info on aftermarket companies that sell swaybars for the volare?
Thanks
Thanks
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 16
From: sacramento
I would echo what others have said above, If its a sway issue that can be resolved. I would consider urethane bushings, a rear bar and/or a new aftermarket bar like Sam suggested. I do not have mine on the road yet it came out of a v8 car with 15/16ths bar and I kept the rear anti sway bar from the donor car. Hopeing it handles decent and gives a comfortable ride when I get to drive it someday 
These guys have pic of one racing
Firmfeel Mopar Suspension and Steering
These guys have pic of one racing
Firmfeel Mopar Suspension and Steering
Last edited by Gary E; Jul 6, 2008 at 11:23 AM. Reason: addition
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 16
From: sacramento
Performance Suspension Technology - DODGE - PLYMOUTH Aspen,Diplomat,Gran Fury,Mirada,Volare 1976-89
Don't know what supplier Sam used but I found that one on a search.
Don't know what supplier Sam used but I found that one on a search.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 3
From: okla
I have a Volare in my 53. I have no idea what sway bar size is, but it came from a V8 car. It rides very well, I also replaced all worn parts and have KYB Gas Adjust shocks. I have no complaints on cornering, I do have a real sway bar also. I am running five leaves on the rear and it can be a litle choppy at times. Any load in the bed helps that so I may soon remove one more leaf, although that will probably take away any load carrying ability. If I were starting over I would go with a four bar with air bags, or maybe one of the air over leaf set ups. All shortcomings aside, I just love looking down that hood. It does not ride or handle as good as my 2000 F150 or my wifes Highlander, and the A/C is not as good, but boy it sure is more fun. The best part of the deal is after I park it when I go in somewhere, I get to walk back to it knowing it's mine, no amount of "better appliance" can come close to equaling that feeling. I have no regrets about the Volare other than maybe appearance under the hood and access under front of motor.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 653
From: Brentwood, TN
Mr N ... there are thousands of F100 trucks on the road today with Volare IFS, if yours is not functioning well then the problem lies with the condition/setup and not with the Volare design. I have seen some installations where, for some unknown reason, the sway bar was missing...if yours is not a 1-1/8 bar or if it is missing then that would be the first place to start. Bad bushings is the root of many front end issues, if yours are dry and/or cracked then it's time to replace. I think that if you spend some time and just a little cash on your present setup that you will see a significant improvement in the ride and handling. These old trucks are so top-heavy that I don't think that you will ever get a "sporty" ride, but with lowered spindles and stiffer sway bars you may get closer.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
Lets spend the least amount of money necessary to fix the problem. If the bushings are in good shape you need to:
Step one: Add afore mentioned gas shocks front and rear.
Step two: Add afore mentioned after-market sway bars front and rear.
Total cost? I would estimate $600 and you'll be styling
Last resort is to execute the reverse Niolin manuver! Jag
If the bushings are in good shape you need to: Step one: Add afore mentioned gas shocks front and rear.
Step two: Add afore mentioned after-market sway bars front and rear.
Total cost? I would estimate $600 and you'll be styling
Last resort is to execute the reverse Niolin manuver!
Jag
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