The Forward Look Network
The Forward Look Network
Search | Statistics | User Listing Forums | Chat | eBay | Calendars | Albums | Skins | Language
You are logged in as a guest. ( logon | register )

Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap
Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page]
View previous thread :: View next thread
   Forward Look Technical Discussions -> The Exhaust Pipe - Modification & PerformanceMessage format
 
PolyJ
Posted 2022-05-24 2:16 AM (#621692)
Subject: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Veteran

Posts: 141
10025
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA

I'm exploring options for my 1956 Dodge Coronet coupe front suspension, and I only find one thread on the forum from 2010 that begins discussing Mustang II IFS swaps to a limited extent before it devolved off topic.

My front end including the steering box is going to require a full overhaul, and I want disc brakes since I'll be drag racing regularly. Pricing out new parts, and AAJ disc brake kit, and machine work on the kingpins, I'm over $3,200 before taxes/shipping, and that's if I don't find any issues with the front components that require machining to repair or replacing. By comparison, a quality (not cheap ebay special) Mustang II complete setup with power rack and pinion comes in at around $2,800 shipped before taxes. The Mustang II setup would allow me an easily obtainable supply of more modern parts (springs, ball joints, bushings, rotors, calipers, pads, etc.) for decades to come, the benefit of rack and pinion steering, and would shave off both sprung and unsprung weight from the front end that will help with weight transfer at the track. While I know people have used Dakota front clips, I'm not interested in them largely because of their size and mass.

I've designed and built multiple rectangular full tube chassis, clipped others with Volare and 70's mid-size GM clips, and installed Mustang II on others, so I'm no stranger to the engineering and welding skills required and would enjoy the project. There's been debate over whether a Mustang II clip is strong enough for a mid-50's full-size car, so I'll address my reasoning in support of the Mustang II setup:

First, a factory 1974 Mustang II came in at about 3K lbs. curb weight. My 1956 Coronet post coupe is just shy of 3,240 lbs. so says the truck scales--a 240 lb. difference. However, I'm ditching the heavier 270 poly engine for a lighter A-block and the heavy cast-iron PowerFlite transmission for a lighter aluminum A727. In order to install the Mustang II, I'd cut out all of the factory crossmember and ditch the factory steering linkage and steering box, which has to shed at least 150 lbs of sprung weight. Shave off another 50 lbs. or so of partially sprung weight for the control arms and mounting components. Of course, some of this sprung weight will be put back with the Mustang II crossmember, tubular control arms, and rack, but not anywhere near as heavy as the factory suspension and chassis parts removed. While I wouldn't know until I weighed all the old and new parts and then the entire car, I expect the car with an A-block, A727, and Mustang II would come in closer to 2,900 lbs.

Second, a weak link in the Mustang II kits with tubular lower control arms is that they use a very long lower control arm boss and bolt, and they only place a horizontal gusset on the back of that long boss when most of the force is applied vertically. I've seen cheap kits that skimp on steel thickness where this lower boss and bolt have bent badly, but they were on heavier cars. I think this defect has more to do with the cheap kit than the design, but I would reinforce this boss with a vertical gusset or possibly even plate it in all the way up into the frame rail.

Third, the Mustang II's engine rests about centered above the crossmember, placing a large amount of weight on the suspension. The Mustang II crossmember in the '56 would rest forward of the engine center, decreasing some of the weight. In addition, quality aftermarket Mustang II suspension is of a stronger design and of stronger parts than the factory suspension--according to Heidts--so the Mustang II should be plenty strong and safe for the '56.

I've laid out my reasoning for bringing up the topic and for why I think the Mustang II setup is a viable, safe option, and I appreciate feedback from people who have experience running Mustang II in their Forward Look cars. Any pitfalls or problems?

Top of the page Bottom of the page
Old Ray
Posted 2022-05-24 9:23 AM (#621694 - in reply to #621692)
Subject: RE: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 507
500
Location: Invermere B.C. Canada - Rocky Mountains

Well you have certainly have done your homework, which is a major rarity in the face book age,  and you have answered most of your own questions. I wonder if you are looking for advice or validation? Maybe a heads up that the majority of this site tend to be "purists" and the response might be weak or negative.

Back to the question, I used a MII (Hedits) on a other make '51 pickup with a heavy big block with no in service problems, I have just finished the Dakota in a '56 Plymouth wagon. I like the Dakota but following your drag car reasoning to the extreme than you should do a straight axle.

You might also want to get a opinion at: "https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/forums/23/1/street-rodders.html" (couldn't get the link thingy to work or the formating for this post)

The MII seems a little narrow compared to  the stock front track.



Edited by Old Ray 2022-05-24 9:26 AM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Shep
Posted 2022-05-24 10:27 AM (#621695 - in reply to #621694)
Subject: Re: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Expert

Posts: 3393
20001000100100100252525
Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George)
I have the Fat man M11 front clip in a 51 Chev I own. Do not use the old style M11 power rack, too twitchy. I installed the later type Ford rack that was used in the 93 Gt Mustangs, 3 turns lock to lock, bolts right in. I believe Heidts may be now using this in their kits, check with them. If you use a Gm p/s pump you need a flow restrictor in the outlet port of the pump.

Edited by Shep 2022-05-24 10:29 AM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2022-05-24 10:57 AM (#621696 - in reply to #621694)
Subject: RE: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC


Try it now^^^

Not sure what this front end conversion is (??) but it certainly doesn't improve ground clearance or wind resistance.



Edited by 56D500boy 2022-05-24 11:10 AM




(1956-dodge-coronet-bare-metal-body-mock-up-5_small.jpg)



(1956-dodge-coronet-bare-metal-body-mock-up-8_small.jpg)



(1956-dodge-coronet-bare-metal-body-mock-up-9_small.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 1956-dodge-coronet-bare-metal-body-mock-up-5_small.jpg (65KB - 115 downloads)
Attachments 1956-dodge-coronet-bare-metal-body-mock-up-8_small.jpg (80KB - 121 downloads)
Attachments 1956-dodge-coronet-bare-metal-body-mock-up-9_small.jpg (91KB - 117 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
PolyJ
Posted 2022-05-24 1:05 PM (#621707 - in reply to #621694)
Subject: RE: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Veteran

Posts: 141
10025
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA

Old Ray - 2022-05-24 7:23 AM

Well you have certainly have done your homework, which is a major rarity in the face book age,  and you have answered most of your own questions. I wonder if you are looking for advice or validation? Maybe a heads up that the majority of this site tend to be "purists" and the response might be weak or negative.

Back to the question, I used a MII (Hedits) on a other make '51 pickup with a heavy big block with no in service problems, I have just finished the Dakota in a '56 Plymouth wagon. I like the Dakota but following your drag car reasoning to the extreme than you should do a straight axle.

You might also want to get a opinion at: "https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/forums/23/1/street-rodders.html" (couldn't get the link thingy to work or the formating for this post)

The MII seems a little narrow compared to  the stock front track.

Thanks for your feedback. This is exactly why I posted. Do you have a thread on your Dakota swap? Did you run into any noteworthy issues?

I looked through the Moparts "Street Rod" forum you recommend and found this thread on a 1956 Plymouth. It wouldn't take much to convince me to go the Dakota route even if it means the front end will be a little heavier. My local pick-a-part usually has 1988 - 1996 Dakotas come in (they currently have 2), and at $300 total for the front clip, it would certainly free up funds to spend elsewhere. Here are a couple photos from the thread. The guy and his wife did a very clean job. I might need to join the forum and reach out to the poster: https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1962414/1.html



Edited by PolyJ 2022-05-24 1:11 PM




Attachments
----------------
Attachments KIMG0159.jpeg (140KB - 117 downloads)
Attachments KIMG0528.jpeg (90KB - 120 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
PolyJ
Posted 2022-05-24 1:08 PM (#621708 - in reply to #621695)
Subject: Re: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Veteran

Posts: 141
10025
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA

Shep - 2022-05-24 8:27 AM I have the Fat man M11 front clip in a 51 Chev I own. Do not use the old style M11 power rack, too twitchy. I installed the later type Ford rack that was used in the 93 Gt Mustangs, 3 turns lock to lock, bolts right in. I believe Heidts may be now using this in their kits, check with them. If you use a Gm p/s pump you need a flow restrictor in the outlet port of the pump.

Great input on the power rack. Thanks a lot. I'd try to use a 1966 Dodge p/s pump setup but will keep the GM p/s pump restrictor in mind.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
PolyJ
Posted 2022-05-24 1:13 PM (#621709 - in reply to #621696)
Subject: RE: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Veteran

Posts: 141
10025
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA

56D500boy - 2022-05-24 8:57 AM Try it now^^^ Not sure what this front end conversion is (??) but it certainly doesn't improve ground clearance or wind resistance. :)

 

LOL, thanks, Dave. Yeah, a brick in the wind for sure. While the crossmember looks custom, those are Mustang II lower control arms.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
Powerflite
Posted 2022-05-24 1:58 PM (#621710 - in reply to #621692)
Subject: Re: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9604
500020002000500100
Location: So. Cal
Getting rid of the king pins isn't a bad idea, but these cars do handle pretty well. It does feel like you are driving an old car though, so I can understand why some people would want to do something like this to a '56-older car. Doing it to a '57-up torsion bar car would be stupid as you would gain almost nothing from it and lose a lot. I have driven MII suspended cars and was very unimpressed with the experience. If was going to do this, I think the Dakota swap would be the way I would go. However, what I would prefer is to get custom control arms made up that use ball joints. Just bolt in without having to modify the frame. If someone is capable of designing and building something like that, I think that would be a slick conversion. There's really nothing wrong with the stock steering box. It is more in the way of the exhaust, but it isn't bad. I put a hemi in there so anything else should be a piece of cake.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Old Ray
Posted 2022-05-24 4:20 PM (#621714 - in reply to #621707)
Subject: RE: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 507
500
Location: Invermere B.C. Canada - Rocky Mountains

PolyJ - 2022-05-24 11:05 AM Thanks for your feedback. This is exactly why I posted. Do you have a thread on your Dakota swap? Did you run into any noteworthy issues? 

No, but the self serving rambling discombobulated off topic thread will keep you busy. I cannot get the insert link to highlight and I am in rich text editor, so maybe someone smarter can. Sorry.  

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/2443761/new-rotisserie-and-plymouth-frame-cut-for-dakota-sub-frame.html#Post2443761

Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2022-05-24 6:21 PM (#621716 - in reply to #621714)
Subject: RE: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
Old Ray - 2022-05-24 1:20 PM

PolyJ - 2022-05-24 11:05 AM Thanks for your feedback. This is exactly why I posted. Do you have a thread on your Dakota swap? Did you run into any noteworthy issues? 

No, but the self serving rambling discombobulated off topic thread will keep you busy. I cannot get the insert link to highlight and I am in rich text editor, so maybe someone smarter can. Sorry.  

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/2443761/new-rotisserie-and-plymouth-frame-cut-for-dakota-sub-frame.html#Post2443761



Ray: Suggest that you lose the rich text. It's annoying.

To make a link "LIVE", just paste the URL link and then put your cursor at the end of the URL and hit return. Magic.

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/2443761/n...




Edited by 56D500boy 2022-05-24 6:23 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Old Ray
Posted 2022-05-24 7:02 PM (#621718 - in reply to #621692)
Subject: RE: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 507
500
Location: Invermere B.C. Canada - Rocky Mountains

Thank you Dave, ... the technology world really sucks for this old turd. Thanks again, much appreciated. 

Top of the page Bottom of the page
PolyJ
Posted 2022-05-24 7:29 PM (#621723 - in reply to #621718)
Subject: RE: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Veteran

Posts: 141
10025
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA

Old Ray - 2022-05-24 5:02 PM

Thank you Dave, ... the technology world really sucks for this old turd. Thanks again, much appreciated. 

:stressed:

Lol. I don't mind copying and pasting URLs if that helps. Thanks for the link, Ray. Z-ing the frame like you did makes for a nice ride-height drop. I'll be stuck with keeping the frame in line and using dropped spindles if I want since I only have about 1" of hood clearance with the dual cross-ram AFB carburetor setup I'm planning on running. That measurement is mocked up from the OEM crossmember, however, so I don't know if the Dakota crossmember puts the engine higher or lower.

I read that your frame is from a 1992 and that you swapped in 5-lug rotors. Is it true that 1991 - 1996 spindles will accept 5-lug rotors directly with no other needed changes to the bearings/races?

Top of the page Bottom of the page
Old Ray
Posted 2022-05-24 9:14 PM (#621724 - in reply to #621723)
Subject: RE: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 507
500
Location: Invermere B.C. Canada - Rocky Mountains

I don't know if the Dakota cross-member puts the engine higher or lower.

I think it puts the engine higher, I had to make adapters to move the engine back (BUT the original OEM molded rad hoses fit the Rad without trimming) but it looks like I am going to have hood clearance problems with the stock FI 5.2

I read that your frame is from a 1992 and that you swapped in 5-lug rotors. Is it true that 1991 - 1996 spindles will accept 5-lug rotors directly with no other needed changes to the bearings/races?

Yes I think so, it's been awhile. Maybe look up the bearing numbers for both years / rotors ?

Top of the page Bottom of the page
57plymouth
Posted 2022-05-25 6:55 AM (#621729 - in reply to #621692)
Subject: Re: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Expert

Posts: 3577
20001000500252525
Location: Blythewood, SC
I would use a Dakota front end, then use the Bouchilon (sp?) motor mounts to put a third gen hemi in it.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
PolyJ
Posted 2022-05-26 2:42 PM (#621752 - in reply to #621692)
Subject: Re: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Veteran

Posts: 141
10025
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
It didn't take much convincing, lol. Yesterday afternoon, I went and scouted out and prepped a 1996 Dakota that, luckily for me, already had the engine pulled. I had to pull everything else off the front and jack up the cab front but was able to pull the fenders and everything attached to the core support as one unit. Whoever pulled the engine butchered the wiring harness and A/C hoses, so I didn't feel bad about cutting those off at the firewall since they were already toast. Early this morning, I returned and cut off the clip. Coincidentally, last night a 1988 Dakota landed in the yard, and it had brand new 5 on 4-1/2" rotors and Timken bearings that I nabbed today. Too bad the calipers don't interchange with the 1996 brackets since they too were new with new pads. All in all, the loaded clip with large sway bar, power rack and pinion, and collapsible steering linkage cost a whopping $220 after fees/tax. It needs new control-arm and sway bar bushings, I'll install new ball joints and shocks, so I'll end up with about $350 in the front suspension.

I appreciate the feedback here.



(Dakota1_resize.jpg)



(Dakota2_resize.jpg)



(Dakota3_resize.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Dakota1_resize.jpg (58KB - 121 downloads)
Attachments Dakota2_resize.jpg (124KB - 120 downloads)
Attachments Dakota3_resize.jpg (108KB - 119 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Old Ray
Posted 2022-05-26 4:08 PM (#621753 - in reply to #621692)
Subject: RE: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 507
500
Location: Invermere B.C. Canada - Rocky Mountains

I resemble that remark ! Notice the coil spring ride height rods.

 

 





Edited by Old Ray 2022-05-26 4:28 PM




(1956 Plymouth and Dakota frame (640 x 480).jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 1956 Plymouth and Dakota frame (640 x 480).jpg (97KB - 118 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
PolyJ
Posted 2022-05-27 11:11 PM (#621775 - in reply to #621753)
Subject: RE: Mustang II IFS Suspension Swap



Veteran

Posts: 141
10025
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA

Old Ray - 2022-05-26 2:08 PM

I resemble that remark ! Notice the coil spring ride height rods.

 

Lol, we should start a club and get plaques made: "Rocky Mountain Dakota Dodgers", lol.

It's going to take some serious restraint to wait until the snow returns this winter before chopping off the nose of the '56, so I'll try to stay busy enjoying cruising the car, prepping the Dakota parts, and refreshing rubber components to lighten the workload when I do start the clip job.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page]
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread

* * * This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated * * *


(Delete all cookies set by this site)