I have a 52 F1 that has a Volari subframe welded thats too far back. Since I need to cut this one out and move it forward, I'm wondering if a replacement with a IFS would make more sense and less work? Does anyone have an opion on what's the better option?

Dan

 

John Niolon removed a Volare IFS in favor of a MII...he documented the change in one of the tech articles. How far off is the current installation?

 

It's sitting at 113 and should be about 115. I think when it was welded in, the guy moved it back instead of forward 1 inch. The other reason that I need to cut it out is when I take measurements on if the frame is square, I show that it is off by about 1/2. So I need to cut the Volari out, square up the frame and either move it up, or just replace it. Dan

 

That's a tough call...if you're a good welder and like the challenge and don't like to spend much cash...then remove/reinstall what you have. On the other hand, if the Volare unit is in need of bushings, ball joints, tie rods ends, PS box work, etc then you may want to trash it, it will be cheaper to upgrade to a MII unit. Cutting out the current IFS shouldn't be too bad and the repair to the frame is fairly straightforward, if you go with the MII IFS then you will just have to box the frame back up and weld in the new crossmember.

 

MCMENOMY,
In reading your post I assumed you are refering to one of the high dollar MII kits that are available. I also think I detected a somewhat reluctant tone in your post to paying the high cost of an MII kit if it was possible to fix your Volare set up. I would like to suggest a third alternative. If you have the facility, equipment and welding skills, which I suspect you might, then consider this. there are a lot of guys on here that have incorporated a lot of different IFS front suspension systems. If you have the time and patience, get your old Volare IFS off the truck and clean up your frame. Start looking around for one of the other IFS set ups from any one of the many vehicles that have been used. I usually look to buy a whole car or truck to get what I want and then junk the rest or sell off parts. Most likely you can buy a whole car with some kind of mechanical issues for about half of what a new MII kit will cost you. Most of the time I break even as opposed to going to a junkyard to get ripped off. they seem to think everything they have is gold plated.

However, if money is no object, I say go for the gold.

Later Man...

 

The fit of the Jaguar xj-6 IFS on your 52 is excellent. A number of us have done it particularly on the 48-52.

 

Cost is always an issue, but time seems to be more of an issue at this point. The units from vendors like HEIDTS look reasonable and maybe will save me the time.
The current frame has been sitting in a barn for 20 years and I'm trying to revive it. The point that CharlieLed made about having to replace worn items is also an issue based on how long the truck has been sitting. So an IFS is sounding more like the option to save time and money.

 

Does anyone have any experience with both Volari and IFS systems to give me a pros/cons view point?

 

As can be seen by the responses, the value judgements drive the decisions. Most Volare rebuild parts can be bought today but there are some critical parts that are getting rare as hens teeth to find. Many folks like the Jag IFS...well there's a reason why there are so many laying around in wrecking yards...people don't want to spend the big bucks for imported luxury car parts, especially obsolete parts so they junk the car rather than maintaining it. Debates continue on this subject but never have I seen an actual cost benefits analysis done that clearly identifies initial investment costs as well as cost of ownership for each option. I have a TCI IFS sitting on the shelf in the garage now because I opted to put a Corvette C4 IFS on my 56. I had a polished C4 IFS and I thought it would look a lot cooler than a MII. The cost for the crossmember was around $700, I bought the frontend for about $400 as I recall. For my money it was a great investment and it's something that sets my truck apart from the rest. That's my value judgement. Money wasn't an issue, in fact I already had a TCI MII IFS bought and paid for and still didn't use it. It will get used at a later date on another truck but the point is that you have to decide what's important to you and go from there. Decisions are always made with the heart and later justified with the brain yet we always try to make a "logical" choice up front. Bottom line; if you like the Volare then keep it and make it work...if not then find the best deal on a MII or other IFS and go from there. The MII kits are made to be installed in the F100 so installation of a MII will be as easy (if not easier) than moving the Volare. If having late model new components (and the expectation that replacement parts will be cheap and readily available for years to come) then the higher initial cost of the MII can be justified. Which ever way you go do it because it's what YOU want, you are the one who will be driving the truck. Good luck...

 

Good Heavens of the volare has been sitting in a barn for 20 years is should not have many miles on it. Just kidding, I would chop it off and front clip it or jag it. Good luck.

 

At 113, it's only one inch short not two. It should not have been moved back or forward for 48-52. Only on 53-56 trucks is the suspension moved forward. Unless it's really noticable I'd leave it as is. The Volare in my 48 ended up at at 113 1/2 even though I was shooting for 114 and it's a 1/4 inch off square too but rides just fine. These old trucks are hardly ever square. Im my own personal opinion I don't think it's off enough to go through all the work it would take to move it up one inch and square it a half-inch but it's your truck and your work so you must decide.

 

If you look at a side view of the truck, something looks very noticablely wrong with the wheels, so I would like to fix it. So I guess the only question is move it to the stock 114 or 115.

 

Well, if it's that noticible then you will want to correct it. The wheelbase for 48-52 F-1s is 114 and that is where the Volare should be. Here's the only side view picture I have of my truck. As stated previously it's off a half-inch to the rear but in my view it's not noticible. If anything it looks to be more forward than rearward...

 

Mc........ if your Volare is welded in great.....how about cutting your frame and extending it to the proper length? That would seem to be the easiest...cause you'd have to hack the front frame off to put a different clip on. So IMO it would seem easiest and cheapest to lengthen your frame.

Just glad you're fixing an old Ford truck.


Michigan Rick