Thread: 1960 Ford Ranch Wagon - Crown Vic suspension/Coyote 5.0 engine swap

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I'm in the process of building a 60 Ranch Wagon. Plans are to make the suspension/drivetrain more modern. I've sourced a Crown Vic front end that I plan to narrow and use a Mustang II rack when complete. This should have a difference of 5" narrower. I also plan on using a Coyote 5.0 motor and manual trans.

I've heard the 60 front suspension won Nascar, however that was 60 years ago. Having to source a disk brake conversion and different springs has me thinking the Crown Vic is better for the money. Plus I can set my ride height super low if wanted.

Any suggestions before going down this rabbit hole?

Nice; sounds like a good cruiser.

I'm pretty sure that it was the Starliner top that won NASCAR for them! I was just reading a piece about how Ford's top profile change in '62 took them out of the running, to the end that they tried a trick move to qualify another profile - https://macsmotorcitygarage.com/ford...KhO4dr9EvUME_w

The Crown Vic's became the vehicle of choice for law enforcement for many years, and they were great cruisers. Seems to me that your swap should be a good one! Looking forward to seeing your progress, if you plan to start a build log.... And a Ranch Wagon!! Super Cool!

Originally Posted by Chicken Legs

I'm in the process of building a 60 Ranch Wagon. Plans are to make the suspension/drivetrain more modern. I've sourced a Crown Vic front end that I plan to narrow and use a Mustang II rack when complete. This should have a difference of 5" narrower. I also plan on using a Coyote 5.0 motor and manual trans.

I've heard the 60 front suspension won Nascar, however that was 60 years ago. Having to source a disk brake conversion and different springs has me thinking the Crown Vic is better for the money. Plus I can set my ride height super low if wanted.

Any suggestions before going down this rabbit hole?

Having recently helped a friend with a conversion to a crown vic front end in a 53 F-100, I'd say use everything you can out of the Vicki. Suspension / Steering / Motor & mounts.... all good stuff. Only thing I didn't care for was the wheel selection. You have to run the offset to what I'd consider unsightly. But he likes it and that's all that matters.

Originally Posted by 34_40

Having recently helped a friend with a conversion to a crown vic front end in a 53 F-100, I'd say use everything you can out of the Vicki. Suspension / Steering / Motor & mounts.... all good stuff. Only thing I didn't care for was the wheel selection. You have to run the offset to what I'd consider unsightly. But he likes it and that's all that matters.

Since he's narrowing the Crown Vic front end, can't he set the width to run the offset/backspace that he wants?

Originally Posted by rspears

Since he's narrowing the Crown Vic front end, can't he set the width to run the offset/backspace that he wants?

I'd assume so. Not sure what numbers he's dealing with. Narrowing by an inch.... you could probably still use all the stock suspension parts, just change the adjusters for the steering by a few turns of the threads.

Originally Posted by 34_40

I'd assume so. Not sure what numbers he's dealing with. Narrowing by an inch.... you could probably still use all the stock suspension parts, just change the adjusters for the steering by a few turns of the threads.

With the wheels mounted on the stock Ranch Wagon then the Crown Vic, the CV is 8" wider. The rack from a Mustang II is 5" narrower than the CV. Im hoping this would cure the wheel selection issue. It will affect the sway bar. Maybe that will be the only issue.

Originally Posted by Chicken Legs

With the wheels mounted on the stock Ranch Wagon then the Crown Vic, the CV is 8" wider. The rack from a Mustang II is 5" narrower than the CV. Im hoping this would cure the wheel selection issue. It will affect the sway bar. Maybe that will be the only issue.

Thinking that narrowing ~8" is going to affect the Ackerman angle and can cause some funky steering response. You may have to heat & bend your spindle arms a bit to fix it, but that's not too tough. Sounds like you've thought it through for a good plan.

Originally Posted by rspears

Thinking that narrowing ~8" is going to affect the Ackerman angle and can cause some funky steering response. You may have to heat & bend your spindle arms a bit to fix it, but that's not too tough. Sounds like you've thought it through for a good plan.

Whats the ideal angle with Ackerman?

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Originally Posted by Chicken Legs

Whats the ideal angle with Ackerman?

Ackermann steering is what sets the angle of the front wheels for no scrub/slip, outside wheel at a different angle than the inside wheel. I took a picture of the diagram in Pete & Jakes catalog that describes the process. You'd use the line through the upper & lower ball joint instead of the kingpin location, through the tie rod ends to the center of the rear axle. Racers/Drifters play with the Ackermann angle to change their handling, especially circle track guys.

This sounds like an awesome build. I've seen guys use off set tie rods or ream the tie rod holes from the bottom and install the tie rods on the bottom of the spindles if they were on top to help with the Ackerman angle. I've seen builds before with the CV fronts narrowed but I didn't hear how well they drove after.