Hello, Suspension information ....I just sold my 57 f100 delivery and bought a 54 ford customline. I am amazed at how clean this car is (even though it doesn't look like it) this thing must have 500 lbs of undercoating on it, which saved the metal from 50 yrs of decay. Once I get the body up to par, I'm going to drop my 351w / 6 speed into it. I'm looking at this original front suspension, and I know I am gonna have to rebuild the whole front end. I am not sure about these A-arms, they don't look very strong. I'm curious if anyone has ever BOXED these in before and if so, whats your experience with it? So does anyone know of more modern aftermarket replacements? I've also read a post in the main part of H.A.M.B. about "Aerostar" parts for the lowering of the front end... Could someone explain this to me? Thank you, Dale http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30974111&l=0ae93dd18c&id=1017067150
I think I've seen your car at the vagabonds show over by Great Northern last summer... Maybe I'm wrong... I may have to make you my new best friend so I can pick your brains with this car..
Dale , welcome the the best group on the HAMB ! I had to go to your face book to see the pictures but that was fine . It really looks to be solid and just surface rust which is no big deal . Looks to be a good foundation to do a build from . I would worry about the A arms unless the are rusted . Use the Aerostar spring like the rest said and use some lowering blocks under the lower A arm and lower blocks on the rear and you will be fine . Have you decided on the power plant for it yet ? As always we are here for any information you need and places to get the parts to finish your build . Plus we can even deal with all the BS that can be served along the line as well . Make sure you get the information on where you live on the GROUP MAP we have here . You just might have someone that lives in the same town as you do , that has the same interest ! Jim
Yes Jim, I have a 351w that I had built up for my old mustang that I recently sold, and I have a C4 trans, but the car is originally set up for a standard, so I'm thinking of purchasing either a 5 or 6 speed to put in. The suspension seems ok, but I have to replace most of the common "aged" parts (bushings, sleeves, rod ends etc..) . The A-arms seem ok, but I have been told by an old retired racer, that the a arms were a week spot on these cars. I can see that they are not what I would consider strong, which is why I asked if anyone had ever Boxed these, like you would a 3 side frame. I'd love to get his up and running, so I can enjoy the summer cruise. I can upgrade stuff as I go, after the fact
I've never heard of the a-frames being weak, but I'm also only 19...I do know, however, that the front cross-member is a notorious weaklink with any 50's ford. Rust eats through it, then bad things happen. Post pics! What style do you plan on building it in?
Nah! Unless you plan to off-road the car or use it in a demo derby the front control arms will be just fine. As has been mentioned, the front crossmember is a whole 'nother matter. Check it for rust as this is very common. Welcome to the group!
I say stick with the C4 ! I have a 55 Ford and had a rebuilt T5 I thought about using but changed my mind . Also you better have the seat way back or you have a good chance that the shifter will hit the seat . I think there is an adapter you can get for the T5 to bring the shifter up closer to the dash so you can use a bench seat . The one trans I would use is a Ford T-10 or a Toploader 4 speed trans . The T5 just doest cut it . If you are really going to use it a lot on the highway then . There is a lot less mods to use an auto trans over a standard trans . You really don't want to keep using a "Z" bar , do you ? If you do the clutch thing either use a hydraulic set up or a cable clutch set up from a Mustang . I was going to use a Mustang cable in mine due to it's cheaper than anything else and really not hard to set up . The auto set up will be cheaper I think . Of course , there is nothing better than banging the gears in a hopped up old Ford ! That is just heaven ! Now about the triangle boxing , I think that would work very well and be easy to do . Just give the shock room in the top so nothing hits when the front end is up in the air and the A arm is at it's lowest point . It's up to you but be happy with your decision on the trans . Jim
finally got a couple photos into the user album.. here is one it really isn't as bad as the pictures make it look. This car is CLEAN, very minor surface rust and only 3 rust holes in the whole car. 1 in the toe board about the size of a half dollar, and one in each of the front fenders about golfball size. Yes, those are original bias ply tires on the car...
Who ever told you they had weak A-arms must be smoking some good stuff that weakened His thinking,back in the late 60's I ran mid 50's Fords on steep 1/4 mile dirt tracks with a lot of camber and kickout for handling and that was never an issue, I even went over the fence in turn 4 barrel rolled and landed upright and the suspension was fine enough to run 2 more seasons. I posted a link earlier that shows step by step with pics how to rebuild a '54 IFS.
I highly suggest going with the Aerostar springs! Not only do they lower you a few inches, the handling really improved on my ride.
yea you probably did that was before i lowered it. only took a few hours real easy my buddy had the 54 customline chopped black with the green flames. just ask with questions be happy to help
Welcome to the site. Can someone in the know tell me if 54 front end is the same as 55-56?? If so, the A frames are plenty strong.
Hey Dale... I also have a 54 and am from Cleveland... The only weak parts I know of is the front cross member, that seems to be what usually rots out on the 54-56. Let me know If you have any questions. John
Thanks guys.. I will look into the aerostar springs, and take a better look at my crossmember. So far everything is very clean underneath because of the thick undercoating.. Those of you in cleveland area, I'm looking forward to getting to know you and cruisin with you.
No idea, I think I am going to just let the project grow legs and run in whatever direction it takes. Right now, Im just going to do what I can to get it on the road. After that, time and money will dictate what it turns into. As far as the crossmember, mine looks pretty good. However, if I should have to replace it, what do you guys suggest as a replacement?
I made mine out of square tube... it cost about $30 bucks. I saw them in books for $325 so I figured something else out. I guess the best test would be to jack the car up by it... Slowly John
welcome aboard brother. as for lowering, you can also use granada spindals. with some minor modification it lowers your front end, and you can use the disk brakes. I've done the aerostar springs, and I'm going to be puting on the granada spindals too. all together it should bring me down about 3.5-4" up front. (3" blocks out back... for now) I'll be poasting some pics as soon as I'm done.
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