53-56 IFS Options

Hi all, I am new to this and haven't done any major rebuilding or Hot Rodding since H.S. So I am a rookie and looking for all the help I can get.

I know this is a well discussed topic but i haven't been able to find any recent (last 6 months) discussions. I have a 56 F100, stock suspension and want to change to IFS. When I bought the truck the guy had all the necessary stuff to install the Dakota IFS EXCEPT for one major item. That being the x-member kit. He meant all along to buy the kit from Industrial Ch***is but they no longer offer it.

So, does anyone have suggestions on how I could still use the dakota parts, such as buy a x-member from an actual dakota x-member and weld it in. Does anyone have a kit they would be willing to sell me?

If this makes no sense or is nonsense what is the best options out there to provide a smooth ride to include lowering the truck by at least 2".

Is the Gibbon Cordoba kit a good kit and does it lower it by at least 2"?

Of the IFS kits on the market, which one is the best quality and provides the best fit, instructions, customer service, etc?

Thanks for all your input.

 

With luck El Polacko will see this thread soon and reply. The guy is a suspension guru.

 

"El Polacko" IS Industrial Ch***is.

 

There are other options that guys have tried. The dakota sounds like the best for long term driving and replacement parts availability.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=331903&highlight=f100+swap
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=255247&highlight=f100+swap

 

Thanks for the information. I have checked out IS web page and it looks pretty clear to me that getting a Dakota kit from them is not an option. 53sled, I do appreciate the links.

I have read some bad post regarding the gibbons x-member kit in regard to the ride is hard to fine tune and changes depending on p***enger or not and amount of gas in the tank. Anyone else want to chime in on the gibbon kit?

 

I had a 56 F100 with a fatman mustang II,and if you go with mII box the frame,go with powersteering,remove the stock trans crossmember, they hang down to far when lowered.Stock spindles ok.
if you want to clip it maybe ford ltd or something like that ,lot of work but is better in long run,center the wheel better.

 

03 and up crown vic swap. i did it and helped over 20 others now. cheap, easy and beefy suspension. doesn't help with the Dakota parts but it is an option, you can get the entire suspension and cross-member for under $400 and install it in a weekend

 

look that up on here, there is a big tread on it.

 

Yeah, I hope after a year he figured it out and already did something.