Thread: 1953 ford handles like a boat!

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Hey I have a 1953 ford crestline with a cadillac 500. I was considering a mustang II installation to fix sloppy steering and body roll. I would like to make my ford safe enough to run down the drag strip a couple of times. Can I do this with the stock suspension? I figured not and that I better upgrade. Right now I rebuilt the steering box, put in new tie-rods, and installed disk brakes and I still would never run the thing. Jamco suspensions makes a sway bar I can use but I doubt it will be enough.

Can I run my car by rebuilding the front suspension, using new nylon or polyurthene bushings? if not......

How hard is a mustang II installation from fatman? I would have to use the frame stubs.

How long would this installation take?

sorry for all the questions and thanks for the advice in advanced

Radiate321 if you put a wore out mustang II front end on it, it would do the samething as it is doing now. i think you should be able to fix the one you got. sounds like you need the sway bar, some heaver springs, some good wide tires all the way around, and tighten everything up in the front end. JMO

A good rebuild with poly bushings, gas shocks, bigger springs, and a sway bar should make the car driveable. As you allready have the brakes converted to discs the only other thing a MII suspension would give you is rack and pinion steering.

Yeah thats what my friend recommended I do. I was just worried I would spend more money on the front end and not be able to run it down the track. Ive never driven a rebuilt early 1950's car, and I have no idea how this thing handled originally. I just wondered s it was one of the first IFS built by ford, that it may have some major problems with camber change and stability. Thanks guys for the advice I appreciate you taking the time.

With a 500 Cad, I wouldn't trust a MII front end. Ever drive a Pinto???? Go for a Camaro or Nova clip. Those old Fords rode like a Chris-Craft when they were new!

Yea a Camaro or nova clip would be great. Do you know any companies like fatman that make the crossmember or front clip? Thanks guys i wish I had more experience but Im only 19 and trying to get this thing to beat my moms vette

Thanks
Devin Ganesh