front subframe talk
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: wichita, ks
front subframe talk
howdy. my old man has a 56 and i have a 60 f100. we both are always interested in new ideas for front ends. we are considering several and are leaning towards newer crown vics. the question would be what works and what doesnt (isnt it always?). ive heard that 03 and up vics have aluminium subframes that will bolt right in, which would be great since they have the rack and pinion setup. but my dad said he's also hear of early 90 vics front subframe being the right width to cut off and weld right to the front of an effie frame. anyone who knows whats up with this? itd be great to get more info so we can hit the ground running once we get the new garage built.
thanks, james
thanks, james
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 1
From: Waleska, GA
OK-I'm newb(yep, first post), but I've researched this all day long. I'm interested in the same swap, but from what I've read the hubs sit out too wide making wheel/tire to fender issues an almost certainty. I'd like to tell you that more experienced people will chime in, but I haven't been able to locate anybody on the Net that has done this on the 53-56 F100. There was one guy who successfully made this swap on the next generation f100, so it might actually work out for your 1960.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: wichita, ks
what truck do u have carnut? this is open to anyone but i have 2 385 seris big blocks, 429s i think havent looked at the crank yet, and a running 351c. im putting one of the 385s in my 60. and from what jeff said, i may have an extra running cleveland and disassembled big block. and an aod to go with the cleveland.
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 108
From: Northshore, MN
Well, I've never done it. But: the 67-72 body fits over the crown vic frame (early 90's) very well, wheel base and all. The rear axle most used is the 9" from 57-72, so the axle width is the same as the crown vic. (or atleast very close). This should mean the track width should be about right for a 56 or 60 using the early 90's crown vic. However, the wheel base is different than 67-72, which mean grafting the front (and rear?) would be necessary...which is what Jeff has done. There are tech articles on various front ends used at the top...last of the stickies (FAQ)
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,644
Likes: 55
From: Moro Bay, AR
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: wichita, ks
thanks, my dads 56 does have damaged frame rails from when some dumb ****** pulled out in front of him. the big fords seem plentiful on craigslist so hopefully we can get something by christmas.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Frame grafting
You may want to look at using an older Nova/Camero subframe. The older Nova's came in both rear steer and front steer, depending on the year. If you have the bucks, you can even buy a new subframe from a number of aftermarket suppliers. The Nova/Camero is close to the correct width and a number of 53 thru 56 effies are running around with that swap. The GM subframe will allow you to have disc brakes, power steering and easy coil over front suspension. There are aftermarket upper and lower fabricated control arms (expensive) that really look nice, but if cash is tight, just use the arms that come with your stub. Dropped spindles are available for the stub and are reasonably priced.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 1
From: Waleska, GA
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...o-67-f100.html
Here's the address to the guy who put in the CV IFS. It's a very interesting read and I was all over this until it dawned on me that the track is probably too wide to stick one of these under my truck. torino_and_effie, I have a 1953 F100 step-side. I went to the Moultrie, GA Swap meet and bought a new bed for it last month. I'm going to have a lot of money in this truck by next summer. I was hoping for a cheap alternative to a Mustang II set-up, but it's not looking promising at this point.
Here's the address to the guy who put in the CV IFS. It's a very interesting read and I was all over this until it dawned on me that the track is probably too wide to stick one of these under my truck. torino_and_effie, I have a 1953 F100 step-side. I went to the Moultrie, GA Swap meet and bought a new bed for it last month. I'm going to have a lot of money in this truck by next summer. I was hoping for a cheap alternative to a Mustang II set-up, but it's not looking promising at this point.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: wichita, ks
we were gonna just use an aftermarket mustang II but that was before the wreck, and since its damaged almost to the cab we either need to replace the frame or graft a new one, it makes more sense to graft a new one bc we'll already be chopping the frame up. plus we keep it all ford 
.
thanks, james
. thanks, james
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 108
From: Northshore, MN
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...der-truck.html And here's the one I was referring to. He used the entire chassis from the CV.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: wichita, ks
when you said the cv is too wide, is that from the outside of the wheel or hub to hub? if its just the wheels maybe a mustang style wheel could be run since they have a more positive offset (al a front wheel drive) instead of the negative offset of the vic which is a rearwheel drive offset? this is why you see s-10 blazers look goofy with big rims sometimes, bc they run a wheel with too much positive offset and it looks like its gonna tip over.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: wichita, ks
thats pretty damn cool havi. ill have we'll have to look into, id love to have a 4.6 in one of the trucks, maybe that would work with a mark VIII hehe. that way it'd have the DOHC 4.6.
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 108
From: Northshore, MN
EDIT: The Continental went to FWD. so that might not work.
I'm waiting for a Lincoln LS to be found in a JY for my '62 fairlane.