Hey guys was just wondering what sort of front end and rear end you guys use in a 51 mercury. Have been looking on the net and its amazing what reproduction parts you can buy. Do the original suspension/steering ride ok? I would appreciate your guys opinion. cheers
The original suspension rides pretty well but doesn't have the sway bar of a more modern vehicle. Most folks want to lower them and that can change things depending on how it's done. Some want power steering so there is another change in the mix. My 51 Mercs ride just fine for me in stock mode but then I'm going to keep the flatheads too. Putting in later OHV V8s are more easily done with a change of the front cross member and if that's done, the front end usually follows from the donor car.
yer I read a article where they swaped out the merc steering box with a izuzu power steering box it almost bolted straight in. I am looking at getting some drop spindles from the states which will lower it 2.5 inchs. I also have a jag front and rear end but im not sure what series. Hey LIFESTYLES are you working on a merc too I noticed your from Mankakino
Up front the original IFS left stock and in good condition will drive fair at best. You can install 2" dropped uprights for about $400 and lower the lower A-arm spring plate 1" buy making a spacer yourself to achive a 4" drop but that is the max you can go and still have it drive fair. If you also plan to add disc brakes $500 power steering $400 and need to rebuild the old suspension $400 Tie rod ends & idler ***y $300. Add this all up and you can see this all gets pricey fast. Here in the US i use the 2nd gen Camaro / Trans am clip as it gives very good overall performance and ride quality way seperior to any of the big dollar M11 kit for way less money spent. I see your in NZ and a 2nd gen camaro clip might be hard to find so take a look at the Jag as it will also work very good and IMHO is equal to the best of the best M11 kits. All these clips do require alot of work to install so if you are looking for a more bolt in i do make a A-arm kit that comes with dropped spindle and disk brakes. A power steering kit. Heavy duty tie rod kit but all these parts get almost as pricey as doing the original suspension and since you are in NZ the shipping would be pricey. If you want more info or pic's let me know. Oh the Isuzu power box is a pain to mount and is on the weak side. We use a Jeep box that is much stronger and easy to mount. There is also the Ford F100 box but it is big and bulky and requires you to relocate the steering shaft up. The Erickson's / Extreme Kustoms 951 678-3520
All original front end and a ford 8" maverick rearend. Reverse eye leafsprings with drop blocks and aerostar front coils. Awesome set up, nice stance for a merc.
Mine is a '49 Lincoln coupe. See link below. Would like to come down to Taupo to check out your Merc. It's only a 40 minute ride. Let me know if and when. Cheers Clive.
Working on a '50 Merc now. it will be a driver for a 16 y/o GIRL. Using EXK's steering box mount,a jeep box,one inch spacer inthe A frames,disc brakes and stock front end. Cheapest SAFEST way.probably a 305 with 700R4,maybe an EXPLODER rear with discs,late brake pedal and dual brake system.
I used a mid seventys LTD station wagon for a donor got a 460 1 1/8 thick disks and a nine inch for the rear, did the ****e under the firewall lowered the car about 4 and the suspension is still stock. Also came with power steering power brakes and A/C.
Looking at doing jag on mine (have one stashed away) I gather you need to modify the stock frame rails a bit to get them to fit, but doesn't look like a major. I guess local equivalent to the Camaro clip would be HQ-WB Holden?
A lot of guys over here use Jag of some sort, L300 (As in.. some sort of Mitsubushi van).. Torana (I believe LH / LX.. i guess UC), and HR - HK/G/T. I don't know if thats specifically for a Merc, but most everything from ugly *** street rod Model A's through to early '50s Chevs are getting any number of the above. Don't know about HQ onwards, they might be a bit wider? I've never bothered to measure the front of my Kingswoods clip compared to an earlier one or a HD/HR.
For the rear i used a 1973 Mustang 9 inch. It has the same WMS to WMS measurement as the stock 49-51 Merc. If you are going to run wider tires and have your car sit really low you may want to use a narrower rear so as to 'clear" the lip on the lower fender where it bolts to the upper fender panel. Put your tires and rims in place and then take measurements. http://www.carnut.com/specs/rear.html
I used a 57 merc rear with a 5 on 5 pattern so I could run caddy wheels[ for original sombreros] and a 68-74 nova rear steer subframe grafted to the merc frame.
Came across some notes in my phone that might be useful: Series II Jag front width 1557mm 61.3" Holden HQ-WB salisbury rear width 1562mm 61.5" There was a really good thread on here a long time ago from an Australian member that do***ented his install of a jag front into a 49 or 50. Will have to see if I can find it when I'm back home
Back in the early 80s I drove a 51 Merc cross country and back towing a 19 foot camping trailer. I had put a 350 Chev with AT in it, but the front and rear suspensions were stock. Drove fine.
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