Hi Everyone. I am new to the site and I am looking for some information. I have a 1952 1/2 ton and want to change it to IFS. What are my best options. Should I buy a made to fit hub to hub set up or does any one have any other types that they have used ? Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum. You have found a really great site!
Several of us have installed early 70's to 1986 Series 2 or Series 3 Jaguar XJ sedan IFS under our trucks. They fit extremely well under the 48-52 trucks. They are generally available and they fit like they were made for it. Cheaper and easiler to install that the MII setups sold by a number of vendors. Check my gallery for some photos.
And once again, welcome aboard!

 

There is a drop down section at the top of the page that has ten pages of review on front ends. Popular lately are mustang II, Jaguar XJ-6, and others listed. Read past articles/threads on this subject helps on installations. Review members gallerys for picture and install projects. Welcome to a new member. Please add your city to your file, so we know where you are located. Other projects are also listed for your review. Review all sections of this site so you can find items that interest you. Have a great day,chuck

 

I think you may have to do 10 posts before the search function unlocks. But do check in the articles and specs tab in the grey band at the very top of the page just below the site logo for lots of reading material. The original beam axle and suspension can be rebuilt and modified (parts are readily available) to produce a decent ride, IFS is not a "Must do" on our trucks.
Best thing to do is to sit down and make a list of how you will use and drive your truck, and the desirable characteristics you'd like it to have for that purpose. Then sort them in order of importance and budget/skill level required. Post your list as well as a list of what the truck has now and pictures of it in your gallery, and ask for opinions/suggestions/experiences.
Too often a new builder will jump into the project with both feet and his eyes closed and find himself in way over his head trying to do modifications that are way beyond his skills/budget/time he can devote just because "that's the way the do it in the magazines" and soon burns out. Realize that most of the cars/trucks in the magazines and at shows are not driven except to load and unload from the trailer, and are built by shops wanting to show off their work for owners with very deep pockets just to collect trophies. If you have very deep pockets and/or just want to collect trophies that's fine, but realize it's not likely to be a very good daily driver.

 

I think that your mechanical skill levels should be a factor in whether you install an IFS from a "donor" car, or buy a complete kit from a vendor. I as a novice chose to use a complete IFS kit from TCI based on MII, and was able to do the installation in my driveway. My truck is not a trailer queen and handles very nicely. I run a adjustable 4bar with coil overs in the rear.

The necessity to adapt or find brakes, power steering parts etc. can be intimidating for the novice builder. Thats why I recommend a system from a vendor.

My truck is used as a pleasure vehicle, not for towing or hauling.
The only thing it hauls is A$$

 

Sorry, I said something that may be misinterperated. There is nothing "wrong" with changing the suspension on our trucks to a different system, and can be a very desirable thing to do, depending on the desired result.

 

No offense taken AX, I was just expressing another point of view from a "novice".

As usual, you offered some great advice.

 

Welcome to the board; I did as 49Willard, and as AX said to do. I spent hours reading all I could find on ifs units to put under my 50f1. I decided to go with the Jag. I found a 78 Jag for $300 in Tx and went down and got it. I also wanted to go with irs and did all the research I could find and went with the Jag as well. It took me about an hr to get the irs out of the jag and about 6 hrs to put it under my frame. I have about the same amount of time in the irs. But it is a bit harder to install than the irs. But will be well worth the time and effort to do it. Read as much as you can find about both. This was my first at both. Just take your time do it right the first time, you'll be glad you did it yourself. Good Luck and keep us up to date on what you decide. And Post Pics. Some of us don't read so well

 

Thanks so far for the help. I have read the articles in the drop down section which is full of information. I know where there is a 1979 LTD sitting that just may work. Does any one know if that would have a 9" in it ? Thanks again great site REG

 

I'm not an expert on this subject, so you should ask others. A friend of mine had a 1946 Ford truck that had the complete chasiss/supension from a early '80's Ford car. This might be easier than doing just a IFS change over, but I don't really know.

 

If you are talking about using the IFS from the LTD, that would mean a frame graft, while it is not easy, it will have good results. I grafted a clip from a 87 Town Car to my 53, but the PO had already butchered the front frame rails. If your frame is in good condition, I would go with one of the others mentioned, ie: Jag, MII.
As for the rear end, I'm not sure if that is a 9" or a 8.8" in a 79.
Welcome, and keep us posted about your decisions. We'll try to help in any way that we can.

 

bot h the 9" and the 8.8" would be a suitable rear end unless you are planning a monster motor or heavy duty use, if the axle width is correct.

 

Hey dude, WELCOME to the most addicting site on the web!! (so the wife says) to answer your question, the 1979 LTD would have an 8.8 rear, and I think it woud be too wide for your truck? I know that Tacson has got a Crown Vic or LTD front end under his '55, and he says it's awesome! I've done several frame swaps (whole frames) and very successfuly I might add, but I wouldn't recomend them for a first timer. At least not one from a car, as there are too many obstacles to overcome.

There is a company using dodge dakota front end stuff kind of like the MII setup, and they make a weld in crossmember that used junkyard dakota stuff. If you can find a Jag front end from the years specified, they seem to work best in your year truck. I've seen some very impressive installs in the galleries here! Just click on the names of some of the fine folks here and then click on their galleries. Check out Red Jag's gallery, and Rusty 50's gallery. ( think that's their name, please forgive me if I'm wrong)

GOD bless, and WELCOME!!!

 

Reg, I installed a Jag ifs in my 48, did it in one weekend. Check my gallery, you'll see you can do a complete bolt in install. I paid $200 for a complete front end from a 84 Xj6, and recently spent $300 for parts to rebuild bushings, ball joints and brakes. Thats less than a third of what a MII will cost. But, (there's always a but) the Jag, or any other clip, doesn't come with instructions. While there's lots of advice here, you're still on your own when it comes to installing it correctly. That's an advantage that the MII kits have, instructions! So some research, ask questions, and take a hard look at your fabrications skills before making a decision. -Rusty

 

Truxx, what company is doing the dakota cross member? I have seen the swap and am intersted. I would like to get some info from a company that as done some R and D.

Dennis