i have installed TCI kits in 49-54 and there pretty straight forward. i see a lot of Hambers using Fat Man kits. why Fat Man over others? has anyone used a No Limit IFS? http://nolimit.net/prodinfo.asp?number=AG-PWR are you guys using pwr or manual racks? any pics of your installs?
I used the Fatman's ultra low. I liked the stance that it gave with stock spindles. Manual rack for mine.
I just installed the fatman ultra low on my 54 and I am very happy with the results, you can get low as it can go with some modification, plus with the tucked up fatman crossmember you can actually drive it alot lower because of the added clearance, I also went with a manual rack just less plumbing and lines to worry bout
I was wondering about this as well. I have heard that it is hard to use a 235 inline 6 when using a mustang II. Is this true? Are there clearance issues with the straight 6?
Are you guys using these kits with bags or springs? I plan on using bags on my '54 wagon and I was leaning toward the TCI kit, but I'd like to hear some more opinions too.
Ive heard the ch***is engineering bolt in kit is better, it flexes instead of crackind or shearing the upper bolts. The factory suspension is bolted on, so it makes sense i guess. But I have no Idea myself.
Only problem would be in the steering, fab up your own motor mounts and shouldnt be a problem, I have seen it done before
I figured the steering would be an issue cause of the conversion to a rack. Easily fixed by adding a bearing at the bottom of the column. I was just worried about pan issues.
Im using bags On mine which for me are a necessity You can see how much higher the crossmember is on the ultra low
i'm going to be running bags and cutting out the stock K member to raise it up above the frame. so it would lay low. i noticed a lot of Hambers going with Fat Man. is it solely on the fact that Gambino's is Alliance member and you get the discount? or because it's really a good set up? i already have Walton motor mounts so going with a CE bolt on kit is out. plus it's to bulky for me. Todd Walton is a good guy to deal with.
I sell Jim Weimer Rod Garage's setup... priced right, and quality parts, let me know if your interested. Thanks!
the bottom line is with air bags fatman works the best there the only one that comes with a altralow crossmember wich raises it up a few inches when its all the way down ,the others hang down a few inchs below the frame and when all the way down rests on the ground .i dont know about you but with an air ride car i dont fell comfortable with the rack being the lowest part of the front end!fatmans has better bag tolerances ,the others things want to rub the bag mostly the calipers ,when you buy from me i up grade the MII with slam bags.and as far as moltor mnts when we build a car a want to place the motor and trans where i want it not some ones motor mnt kit. keep in mind most of this stuff out there was designed for street rod type cars not the type of cars were all into! ill end with --fatmans works the best with the type and style cars we drive and build i want to DRIVE low not park low thats the BIG diferance !! hope to have the lil dave motor mnts in production real soon!!
I spoke to Alex at the Roundup (Austin) this year. He explained reasons for preferring the chevy and ford shoebox front ifs. I'd rely on Mr. Gambino's advice. RGV
the motor mounts fit just right so i'm not worried about the placement. i've mocked up several times. do fat man's come with pwr racks or are they all manual? how's the steering ratio like? i know a 350 is lighter than the 235 so the weight will be alright. also on one your pics i noticed the front shocks mounts to the lower A arm. is that a factory location or did you weld that tab on there? thanx
I've used Progressive Automotive Suspension out of Ohio. The quality of their parts blow away anyone else. Everything is metal finished nicely, and the spring hats are made out of one piece of stock. The kit is pretty close to $2000 shipped to your door and comes with everything. And I mean everything down to the cotter pins. Plus, it's your choice of stock or dropped spindles, and your choice of manual or power rack - all the same price. Here's some pics of a buddies car we did with their kit. It's running dropped spindles and a manual rack. We mocked up the car at ride height (with the lower a-arms level) and you see how low it sits. I wish I had a pic down low because the crossmember is actually higher than the ****** crossmember.
I just installed a JW Rod Garage(Jim Weimer) Must II w /bags. it was straight forward easy to install $1780 delivered. all cotterpins, bearings , seals, eveything up to but not including the brake hoses.I'm using Walton Fab engine and trans mounts and for the brakes I'm using that new Speedway underfloor brake pedal ***y. for the '52 that mounts in the original location. The new street rodder magazine has a whole article on parts for the '49-'52
I know that my car is different, but when I went through this process on my shoebox I looked at all of the different companies out there and I actualy ended up going with Scott's hotrod's front end. They make them one at a time per your order (took about 2 weeks) and for my application I thought they were the best engineered system.
pics of the fat man in their car? I'l see if I can get my brother in law to come over for a photo shoot, sorry just had to go there
i have a stock front end on mine but a scotts on another car i have and the quality is the best i have seen, all tig welded full custom they will make it to your spec, and they are specifictly engineered for the car , not just adapted mus2 made to fit, nothing wrong with fatman my opinion is scotts is better.
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