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Hello everyone I am getting parts together for my build. I’ve got a 1957 f100 that’s stock. My dad bought from my tio in Baja and I want to finish the build.
i want to lay low. like way low. Can I do a axle flip and hanger flip? I plan on c notching the rear so I should have clearance. In the front I plan to flip the axle to under springs.
To follow this up, are axle flip kits really brand specific or can I buy a universal kit? Some list several years of GM AND ford.
How it started Back after a big year of chaos as a FED employee feel like I’ve got time again.
first things first Hager flip and axle flip netted 10+” of drop. Flipping the spring pack around and making a mixed pack definitely helped.
next I welded up a step notch so I can lay frame. I used 3/16 that someone before me had replaced the bed floor with? Odd choice bu tit must’ve been what was already on hand or available for near nothing.
axle over springs and flipped hangers + a reworked spring pack. (Flipped eyes) 3” body to floor down from 13”
I played with the front to try and go underneath the front of the leaves. I just didn’t like the results with steering interference and the way I had it wasn’t safe.
so now I’m kinda back to square 1. I had originally planned to use a crown Victoria front suspension I traded a 30 pack coors and California burrito for. I moved away from that in favor of a Mustang 2 suspension. But the cost of +\- $35 for a CV is too alluring. I’ll grab the entire wheel set and front suspension for now.
front PS will be a Volvo Electric PS pump and new harness to run it based on speed for steering assist.
at some point I’ll grab the 4.6 and connect to a 5 speed mustang trans. And likely build a wierd little turbo motor. But that’s big dreaming.
I’ve got the back about done now and as I start to plan out the front and consume as much media as I can about crown Vic (rad fabz)
likely save some cash and buy air bags and mounts for the front +rear this winter after the CV is in I should have a pretty clean setup. air compressor and tank underneath the bed floor which I raise to the very top of the bed under the rails.
bed floor likely be some metal subframe and floor will beT&G. I’ve considered and will have to talk with my brother about milling some oak boards to cover the rear. He has two mills so it shouldn’t be an issue to get together and cut some pieces of wood.
lots of choices and time to make them.
All that leads me to a new question. During a meeting at work in had an idea and doodled it out. Front frame zee??
am I crazy if I support the front of the frame and right before the cab and cut out the middle after I mark for the CV? Looking for a 2” zee. I’m try to avoid removal of the motor. Motor will be getting raised 2 inches via new mounts anyhow
1) I don’t have a engine hoist
2) less work because it’s non weighted where I want to remove the frame albeit temporarily
3) doing one side at a time and keeping the front clip on should help keep everything square plus the jack stands and supports of 2x4 cribbing
my reasoning:
The engine is a 223 and the engine mounts are in the front right below the radiator and the transmission would support the engine from the rear. The front clip and motor trans combo would be supporting the weight?
it’s not standard and def not kosher. But I’m trying to figure out why it wouldn’t work.
not against buying or renting a hoist but I would like to hear the feedback against it. If I can save the work I’d like to.
sorry right place this time
Last edited by stormystorm1; Dec 17, 2025 at 08:20 AM.
Air bags for the rear air line parts Where my gauges will live. A previous owner needed a radio apparently. Switch style. Wanted something different two for the front and rear. One up one down. Tank and compressor. 3G for now and one compressor until I can swing for a second
Last edited by stormystorm1; Feb 22, 2026 at 10:42 AM.
Congratulations on the bonus making it possible to follow your dream. This looks like it's going to be an interesting project. Good luck.
Thanks it was a surprise to me and I figured just get the parts and go. My wife is a saint and said follow your dream.
it’ll be fun. I’ve got all the major components to install and get wheels back on. Then I can work overtime as the season heats up and get the rest done then
As a sounding board, this there lower profile cross member for the trans?
looks like this
=. =
\. . /
\______/
i need to look like this
=. .=
\_______/
can i cut out the middle and add in a 1/4 plate between the two? To raise the center? And just bolt or weld in?
the “=“ would be trans mounts.
Out with the old. Salt air was a harsh mistress when this truck lived in Baja. These boots was stuck
Out with the old. The bolts came out fairly easily with exception to the rear leaf hanger bolt. I’m going to use a death wheel to remove that.
Center line marked. I’ve got two measurements one says 22 7/8 from the cab mount is center line. Another video say 20 5/8 from the for the front leaf spring hanger. is that correct?
Parts should be arriving all week just want to measure and level it all and be ready to tack the crossmember
Last edited by stormystorm1; Mar 2, 2026 at 08:09 AM.
Wheel mock up. 2” drop spindles should get me near here. Frame zee possibly to get the rest. Still need the steering box out. And a little bit of hardware to adapt to the new steering rack
Packed bearings and assembled the spindles. UPS didn’t deliver the crossmember today so waiting until tomorrow and then were measuring and tacking them on. Bearings packed Wiring getting tidied up My to do list is growing
Thanks! Yeah trying to stay on track. Air line plumbing and welding are easy. The electric wiring scares me. I’d be utterly destroyed if this truck burned up
I like the centerline so that’s nice. the measurements werent bad to to pull my truck was 23” from the front cab mount on both sides.
Mockup…. turns out I forgot to buy the upper control arm bolts. Or they didn’t send them. So that’s cool. I subbed in two temp bolts for mock up. The brake line will have to move it’s just so damn stubborn I’ll get it before the back plate goes in.
Last edited by stormystorm1; Mar 7, 2026 at 12:01 AM.
