Thread: Which front suspension to use. Mustang II?

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The current project I am working on is a 65 F100 short box. I want to add a short arm long arm front suspension to the truck. Which is a good one to use. I have been looking at the TCI Mustang II and their new IFS system with adjustable coil overs. I want something that is going to handle the best and work the best for the truck. It is a BBF manual trans powered truck. I plan on keeping the truck for a long time. Which system would be the best so it performs close to a modern vehicle.
What are your opinion. What do the experts have to say.
Thanks

TCI makes a nice front end, so does Heidt's. With a pickup it's always best to use the system with the strongest tubular A-Arms and you'll also want a good quality sway bar to go with the IFS. Most all of the quality packages will have a forged spindle and at least an 11" brake on the front. Best to shop for the quality you want and not just the lowest price.....

I was typing at about the same time as Dave, and had I seen his post I would have kept quiet.... Not an expert by any means, but I'd say you're too heavy for the MII suspension package. You need to get something made for the weight of the truck, especially with a BBF in there. Maybe FatMan's?? ..::FatmanFabrications::..

In West Branch , Iowa

they have lots of truck stuff along with the best FORGED axles

this IS the place I referred to--name of company is Chassis Engineering INC---

www.chassisengineeringinc.com

Jerry

Originally Posted by 01freeman

The current project I am working on is a 65 F100 short box. I want to add a short arm long arm front suspension to the truck. Which is a good one to use. I have been looking at the TCI Mustang II and their new IFS system with adjustable coil overs. I want something that is going to handle the best and work the best for the truck. It is a BBF manual trans powered truck. I plan on keeping the truck for a long time. Which system would be the best so it performs close to a modern vehicle.
What are your opinion. What do the experts have to say.
Thanks

Hey 01freeman, welcome to CHR! I have a '66 F100 short box. I still have the twin-i-beam suspension but have looked at many of the alternatives for the future. A great source for more specific info is on the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forum with a specific section for '61-66 F100's.
Most truck guys agree that the Mustang II based front ends aren't really strong enough for these trucks, depending on what kind of service you expect from it.
Some companies like No Limit Engineering have designed suspensions specifically for these trucks WIDE RIDE IFS - COILOVER-No Limit Engineering .

These guys Industrial Chassis Inc. designed a great suspension setup for these trucks based on the Dodge Dakota front end. They went thru some company restructuring and are introducing this product again. I'm told it's an excellent product and a great way to update the suspension on these trucks.

Another method some guys are using is the front K-member from the '03-'09 Crown Victoria. It's practically a bolt-in setup and those who have done it seem to rave about it. The downside is the track width is several inches wider than stock so you have to run the late-model Mustang/Crown Vic offset on the front wheels. But they are an inexpensive way to get big discs, R&P steering, etc.

Others have used the torsion bar setup from the Plymouth Volare and other Chrysler products.

One guy did a nice job installing the '79-'86 Jaguar XJ6 front suspension on his and love it. Slick 60's • View topic - -TECH- Jag XJ6 IFS into F100

Anyway, there's some stuff to chew on. As always, we like pics!

Hope that helps.
Randy

I just read through that Jag front end thread. The guy says he had never welded before . Good for him I guess...I'm still nervous about doing anything structural