1952-59 Ford ball joint or king pin???? mainline

Just bought a mainline 1953 and wonderd how wise it would be to chance from kingpin to ball joint???????
Who can help me out,and how easy to replace .
Thanks in advance

 

I would think you would have to cut the front clip off and then graft in a '54 front clip with the new ball joint suspension. That much work, you may as well spring for a M-2 IFS front clip. I'll bet the more seasoned veterans will set you straight.

Jim

 

Unless you are going to do a complete front end conversion with a ton of cutting and welding of a complete new front end , I wouldn't due a thing but maybe replace the King Pins if they are bad . Ford made a great car to last this long for a reason so why change something that was great for all these years !
I have a 55 Fairlane and came very , very close to taking a front clip from a Mustang Cobra and trying to welding it to my car BUT there is just way to much work because of the uni-body frame .
What I am trying to say is keep what you have or maybe upgrade to a disc brake system but that's about all you can do .
Just my opinion .

Jim

 

The difference would not be noticeable and not worth doing I have owned 4 '53 Fords and 3 '54 Fords you cannot tell much of a difference in ride or handling.1952-56 Fords all use the same shocks and front springs(for the purists there is some different spring rates between models) kingpins have been around for eons and used in trucks longer than p***enger cars,the key is good maintenance and lubrication.As far as upgrades with premium gas shocks,radial tires and the addition of Aerostar springs which improve ride and handling from the comments of those who have done it you don't need any real changes.