Hi everyone, seems like forever since I've been here, but anyway life is turning around to that point where I get excited about my 54 again. So being an Aussie '54, it is the kingpin front end, same as a US '53. I want to change to a balljoint front end, and if it bolts in it makes for easy registration. Is the US 1954 frame the same as the 1953, like does the later engine crossmember bolt in?
The U.S.A 1953 and 1954 frames (including the front crossmember) are very, very different so you will not be able to do a direct bolt in installation of the '54 ball joint suspension parts. An easier swap to get the ball joint suspension probably would be to put a U.S.A. '54 frame under your car (if you could find one in Australia). However, I can see in the photo of your Australian '54 that it kind of looks like a cross between a U.S.A. '54 Victoria and a '54 U.S.A. Sedan so I have no idea which frame was used on your car.
As the above posters noted, the ball joint suspension doesn't interchange with the kingpin type. But the 54-56 USA Ford ball joint frames are very similar, with the same track width front and rear and only 1/2" difference in wheelbase added in '55. So you might want to look at your Australian Ford '55-58 frames to see if one of those could be suitable to swap. Worse case, you could just do a front frame clip swap although I understand that complicates your inspection process. The 1/2" wheelbase difference could be corrected pretty easily, and you could relocate any body mounts without triggering a flow-blown engineering review I would think. Some quality time with a tape measure should show you what would need changing. I don't think you'll find any major issues unless you're planning on retaining the flathead motor. It will be a very tough install in the later frame. Anyway, food for thought...
Thanks for the input, now I know my options are to go for a front end swap that includes fabrication, and work through a higher level of engineering certification. Or rebuild the king pin front and upgrade brakes and steering column. This car is not normal in that it has a 105" wheelbase, it was chopped up in the late 60's / early 70's. And has 59 Ranchwagon running gear. So it's going to be interesting to get through our registration process regardless.
Thanks for the info on the coupe, I looked at your picture for a long time and what's left of my brain cells were hurtin! I noticed the doors looked shorter than normal but I never thought about the wheelbase being shorter. I would guess with right hand drive US parts would not help you much not to mention shipping. Very interesting car none the less! Mark
Something like this ? It is all bolt in. https://www.performanceonline.com/1949-53-Ford-Custom-Stage-3-Tubular-Control-Arm-Suspension-Kit/ Now to tell the truth since in the past I have owned four 1953 Fords and three 1954 Fords, I never noticed a difference in ride or handling between having kingpins or ball joints, probably because both used the same front shocks and coil springs. Back in the day, king pins were lubed when folks did the regular oil changes usually at 2K or 3K intervals, so wear was never a factor, so the change over is not worth the huge expense, improved gas shocks and a larger sway bar would be money better spent, and keep your government regulators happy.
near complete 54 at a local pick a part https://www.lkqpickyourpart.com/inventory/riverside-1290/1954-ford-customline/
The car pictured is a 1955 Ford NOT a 1954 Ford. You would think that the wrecking yard would know better! What a shame.....that looks to be a very straight and solid rust free California car!
You know in my mind I thought it might be a 55. But listed as a 54. Yeah they been doing this a lot at the yards. The prices are 1.5 times higher for the cl***ics too. some of the car are seen are more complete than a lot driving around. Sad sad story.
Went and looked at the '55 at Pick Your Part mentioned in the post above. It was in pretty good shape. Minimal rust, just some minor rust on the roof edges. Very repairable. Still had the front and rear seat frames so I got them both. Will try and use them in my '54 Club Coupe as mine are pretty rusted and would take a lot of work to repair. Tried to buy the whole car but they said no. Hate to see this go to the crusher as it's a pretty solid body with a Y block and a 3 speed, I didn't see any major dent repair at all. Still would be a lot of work but you could probably get it going pretty cheap. I really wanted to take it home but no dice. Too bad.
flyboy- cool that you went out there. tell me you remembered to go through and pull all the stupid nickel and dime ya parts. Did it have the sill plates?, I usually pull screws and stuff because the quality is much better than new trim screws. Wiring light piglets etc. also that yard doesn't up charge 20% for it being a vintage car like the Ontario one.
I went there to actually buy the whole car. I was going to grab the dash knobs but changed my mind. I just took enough tools to get the seats. As it turns out, '55 Ford seats do not fit in a '54. So if anyone needs seats for a '55, I have them and they are pretty decent except for the upholstery which I removed because of the odor. BTW the rear seat had the original fabric under the recover vinyl. Also, I think I did pay the 20% surcharge.
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