Hi Guys

I am a new member and trailered my 1951 F1 home today from a field of berry bushes.

Its in pretty good shape and I am looking forward to getting started.

I have a chance to buy a complete frame from a 1978 Ford Crown Vic Police car with disc brakes, sway bars, and a 9 inch Posi rear end - the heavy duty suspension package - all for $150.

I know this site has information on the crown vic suspension install but I was hoping that one of you may have actually installed a crown vic front end on a F1.

I was hoping you could give me some insight-pointers-pitfalls-and general information on your experience.

Photos would be helpful.

So if anyone has had this experience and cares to share, I would appreciate the help.

Thanks

Dan

 

Start here;

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-1959-s-b.html

 

What year is the crown vic.
I thought 1980 was the year they re-introduced the crown-vic.
The crown vic previous to 2003 has the suspension integrel to the frame.
It must be cut off and grafted in but has been done and makes a good front end.
Do a search. You will find some info.
Maybe someone will add some more info here.

 

You are probably right.

The guy that has the frame with front and rear suspension said it was a 78 Crown Victoria but it could be a Ford Elite-LTD-or T-Bird.

He did say it was from a former police car.

Don't know for sure - will have to find out more information.

It does have the steering gear mounted at the rear of the crossmember and the differential has coil springs instead of leaf springs.

Using this fron end may lock me into a big block.

He said the vehicle had a 351 M engine in it.

It looks like it would be a lot of work to graft the IFS to the 51 frame but I feel confident I can handle it.

The 2003 and later Crown Vic looks like a better swap but it may be too wide for the F1 - what do you think?

I may buy the frame from this guy so I can get the differential and toss the rest - I don't know.

I was hoping to find photos of a 70s front end in a F1 to help make my decision.

 

Hello and welcome. My name is Donald I have a front steer 79-91 Crown Vic clip on my 55'. The rear steer you are considering maybe a hair to wide. If you can give me until Tuesday I can confirm for you. That is not to say it wont work. Now the 03 and up which went to a rack and pinion versus a gearbox is out of the question. It is way to wide for an F1 frame. You can look thru my albums and see pics of the install on my 55' If I can help you in anyway send me a private message. It is a lot of work but let me tell you can not beat the ride for nothing. Nice and smooth,

 

Thanks, Donald

I am interested in this IFS Swap because of the price but if its too much work then I may go with something else.

If you have the information on the width it would be helpful.

Take your time I am in no rush - I may purchase the complete frame as the price is good - if I don't use the front suspension then the $150 is still a good price for the rear suspension.

Thanks for the reply and any help you can provide.

How would I go about searching your gallery?

Thanks

Dan

 

Here is the link to the gallery.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...3&albumid=5196

To get to a gallery if you just put your cursor over the person's username and click you will see a dropdown come up. One will say "view gallery".

 

Thans for your support

I am sure I will have many questions.

Thanks

Dan

 

Someone on another site gave out this bit of useful info. It has many different front & rearend widths. http://50chevy.freeservers.com/Suspension_Widths.html
Hope it helps.

 

Thanks for the great information - very useful stuff

Thanks

Dan

 

So you are saying that the 03-07 Crown Vic front will not work on a 49-50 F-1?

 

After much thought and research, I sold the Crown Vic frame and went with the IFS and IRS from a 79 Jaguar XJ 12. Much easier install and no modification to the IFS or Frame. The IRS was a little tricky but it works.

The Jag IFS has been done by many 48 to 52 F1 owners. Don't wast your time with the Crown Vic. I am glad i listened to those here that knew more than me.

Hope this helps
Dan

 

F1 Stephan

Not saying the late model cv front end won't work but a lot of modifications will be needed to make it work.

Jag and MII aftermarket much easier.

Thanks

Dan