ride height?
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ride height?
Ive been thinking of putting ifs under my 49 f-1, and am not sure if i need the 2" drop spindles. I currently have a 3.5" drop axle and like the stance of the truck. How do i know if i need the drop spindle or the standard.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Charelston, Illinois
I can’t speak to a 1949 F100, but I can to a 1953-56 F100. My father and I both have 1955 F100s and installed Heidt’s IFS with 2” drop spindles in both trucks. I put about 500 miles on my truck and was tired of scrapping everywhere I went. So, I sold my 2” drop spindles on ebay and purchased a set of standard height spindles. My father’s truck is much nicer than mine so he trailers his. With the 2” drop spindles on his truck, it could not be loaded on his trailer without using special ramps. He also swapped out his 2” drop spindles for the standard height spindles. We are both very happy with the standard height spindles and wish we would have ordered them in the first place. Just sharing my experience.
Lance
Lance
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,063
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From: Valley Center, California
Well said.
On my vehicles, I elected to go as low as possible. With a few vehicles. I ended up raising them after realizing I was working much too hard on street logistics instead of just enjoying the drive.
On my vehicles, I elected to go as low as possible. With a few vehicles. I ended up raising them after realizing I was working much too hard on street logistics instead of just enjoying the drive.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Bloomfield, Iowa
I used stock height on my '57 and it sits plenty low for daily driving. I ocasionally hit my front bumper on parking curbs or entering steep driveways. Tucking my bumper back closer to the body recently helped on the driveway issue so that tells me it was pretty close to not being a problem.
I would suggest talking to the builder of the front crossmember you want to use and see where their kit puts the spindle centerline compared to the bottom of the frame. I used a Jim Weimer Rod Garage kit and they can taylor your frame height somewhat. In my case, the centerline of the spindle was even with the bottom of the frame rail at spindle centerline. I blocked my truck at 13" from the grund to the bottom of the frame rail (half of the 26" tire I planned to run) and stood back and looked at it. That way I could decide what to do before I even took it apart at all.
Just a thought,
SPark
I would suggest talking to the builder of the front crossmember you want to use and see where their kit puts the spindle centerline compared to the bottom of the frame. I used a Jim Weimer Rod Garage kit and they can taylor your frame height somewhat. In my case, the centerline of the spindle was even with the bottom of the frame rail at spindle centerline. I blocked my truck at 13" from the grund to the bottom of the frame rail (half of the 26" tire I planned to run) and stood back and looked at it. That way I could decide what to do before I even took it apart at all.
Just a thought,
SPark
Cargo Master
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From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
I ordered the kit with dropped spindles (Heidts) for my 51 f1 and when it came they where the standard ones ordered in error by my supplier, when I contacted him he said that he would ship the dropped ones if I wanted, and I’m not sure that this is just salesman covering his butt B.S., but he said that Heidts recommends the standard ones. I haven’t started to build yet but after having cars in the past too low and from reading on here I think the standard height might be the way too go. 
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
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From: Poway, Ca.
If you already have a drop axel, and are going to 15 inch wheels, and have the auto springs (325/350s), it's going to drop your truck down almost 10 inches. If you get the drop spindles you will be about 2 inches off the ground in the front. Use the standard spindles.
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Most IFS kits on the market have close to the same layout, as far as 'pin height'. Meaning, the height of the spindle pin relative to the frame, at ride height. Most are based on Mustang II, so most are the same. With a stock spindle, the 'pin' will be about even with the bottom of the frame at ride height. With a drop spindle, it's 2" higher. The 429/460 is pretty heavy, if you go with a mustang II IFS, use a 400 lb spring, and add a front sway bar. Check out our No Limit Wide Ride IFS, it is based on a Camaro spindle, and uses a 5" stroke coil-over, easy to change the springs, and comes with p/s, sway bar, and boxing plates standard. Good luck
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Oh-Ya, use a rear sump oil pan, truck, van or aftermarket. You will need to change the pickup and dipstick as well. Think about using a firewall from Direct Sheetmetal, this will allow you to set the engine back a few more inches, and move some of that wieght back.
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From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
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