Looking for full replacement IFS front end for my 1952. I know Fatman makes one but it crazy expensive. Anybody else out there make a cut and weld version?
Having owned four '53 Fords (kingpins) and three '54 Fords (IFS) the difference in ride was not noticeable they both shared the same front springs and shocks,so what do you hope to gain from spending a bunch of loot ?
I appreciate the comments and yes I have thought about those options, really looking for the answer to my question at this time.
Ford had IFS's from 49 to present. The difference is the 49-53 used king pins, the 54 to ?? used ball joints.
Fatman independent front suspension is probably the least expensive one on the market,Heidts is the only other that I am aware of and they don't offer anything for your car. A less expensive alternative may be a frame swap,the '54 model was the first year Ford introduced independent front suspension incorporating ball joints. HRP
If you really want IFS from a newer car..............clip it! Measure your track width, then go to this chart and find one that matches. Off to the boneyard, find your victim and whack the frame rails forward at the firewall. Mods and fabrication are involved! http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/...ements#Wheelbase.2C_front_track.2C_rear_track
And a lot of these "swaps" end up on ebay or Craig's List because the work involved got to be too much.
I'm going with a LS 5.3, power steering and AC so there's going to be lots of mods anyway. I'll talk to the shop I'm looking at doing the work about the above options. Keep the feedback coming, lots of good thoughts.
I would look into a GM clip. The track width is critical with these swaps, so do your homework. I'd look at metric donors, like a 1985ish Monte Carlo or later Camaro. The removable stub may be the way to go. I saw a very neat clip years ago, a 1975 Torino on a '58 Ranchero, very nicely done and gave the owner all the modern perks, AC, PS, PB and so on.
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