gbhdrake383 Posted September 28, 2016 Report Posted September 28, 2016 Hello everyone. New to this forum but no new to forums if that makes sense. Got a new build in mind and I this place keeps popping up so I might as well learn from you guys and the community. Anyhoo. Like the post says. Looking to do a IFS swap on my 1948 Dodge B1. People keep saying to do a Mustang 2 swap but I really can't spend $1,500-$2,000. Fabrication to make it fit really isn't a problem but what cars IFS suspension swap fits the best for my B1? Quote
NiftyFifty Posted September 28, 2016 Report Posted September 28, 2016 Lots of guys have apparently used Volare front sections, but nothing is an easy swap into these trucks, and a fatman kit would be much easier to use, then hoping to make a junkyard ifs work...most are frame cuts and section in in the donor front, which is fine, but precision is very important, as is your welding skills with any job like this. I think at this stage more guys would look at the Dakota swap then just taking and making other parts fit Quote
Los_Control Posted September 28, 2016 Report Posted September 28, 2016 I am also new to the forum, found it a great place for info. I read this article the other day and thought it was vert well put together. Was a good read. 1 Quote
Andydodge Posted September 28, 2016 Report Posted September 28, 2016 Here in Oz I have seen Jaguar XJ6 Mk 1,2 & 3 front suspensions used in both Frod F100 and 40-50's era Mopar trucks....the Jag front end is a fairly straightforward swap that only needs simple upper shock mount fabrication apart from the actual mounting.......ride, handling and braking are much improved............andyd Quote
48Dodger Posted September 28, 2016 Report Posted September 28, 2016 Other than the most common choices....the Crown Vic does seem to have its benefits. But judging from your question " Best junkyard IFS swap for a 1948 Dodge pickup"......the answer is the same for Dodge as it is for the Chevy and Fords trucks. 48D Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted September 28, 2016 Report Posted September 28, 2016 the crown vic per most all folks I know that own them are a fairly high maintenance front suspension for wear and alignment...or..they got the lemons... 1 Quote
gbhdrake383 Posted September 28, 2016 Author Report Posted September 28, 2016 24 minutes ago, Plymouthy Adams said: the crown vic per most all folks I know that own them are a fairly high maintenance front suspension for wear and alignment...or..they got the lemons... I think the crown Vic ones are also 8 or so inches wider 1 Quote
gbhdrake383 Posted September 28, 2016 Author Report Posted September 28, 2016 I've also heard of people bagging there trucks with drop axles. Quote
Bobacuda Posted September 28, 2016 Report Posted September 28, 2016 48Dodger has a very good writeup. Another good source is "How to Build Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge/Hot Rods", by Tex Smith (Author). I bought my copy at a Hlf-Priced book store, for MUCH less than the price I saw on Amazon. Maybe you could hire 48Dodger and his son to put a Volare front end under yours (he also put a T-Bird IRS under his truck)... Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted September 28, 2016 Report Posted September 28, 2016 (edited) While the Volare and other variants of that torsion bar set up....the problem from most all of these that is in time the parts to repair may be a problem. Last check I had made of these down the road availability of parts did not meet with much success. You may be limiting your own build in this manner. Do not just pick a possible donor without knowing down the line support....the work you put into the mod you choose to make should be one that you can continue to rely on in the future. While I do not have a truck that I intend to upgrade as I sold the 58 D100 I had reserved a Volare front suspension and for that matter still have it on hand. Given all the costs and time and energy one has to commit to the build, I will stick with my sub-framing and keeping the car all Mopar in doing so while gaining the every advantage of PS, PB R&P massive sway bars and ease of finding parts for any and all brake work and suspension repair if needed. While this may work well for me, I do not and would not say it is an alternative that you might embrace Edited September 28, 2016 by Plymouthy Adams 1 Quote
wayfarer Posted September 28, 2016 Report Posted September 28, 2016 First Gen Dakota. Right width, not obsolete. Quote
gbhdrake383 Posted September 28, 2016 Author Report Posted September 28, 2016 2 hours ago, wayfarer said: First Gen Dakota. Right width, not obsolete. Ok prefect. There's 5 first gen Dakotas at the local junkyard. I'll be heading there this Friday to eyeball and do some measuring before I head over there Quote
cavisco1 Posted September 30, 2016 Report Posted September 30, 2016 Aerostar is another candidate but rotating the rack to a better angle can be problematic. Good track width and good frame width as well. Couple of people using them on the ford truck sites Quote
gbhdrake383 Posted October 1, 2016 Author Report Posted October 1, 2016 On 9/29/2016 at 7:58 PM, cavisco1 said: Aerostar is another candidate but rotating the rack to a better angle can be problematic. Good track width and good frame width as well. Couple of people using them on the ford truck sites Thanks for the info. anything helps Quote
wayfarer Posted October 1, 2016 Report Posted October 1, 2016 On 9/29/2016 at 6:58 PM, cavisco1 said: Aerostar is another candidate but rotating the rack to a better angle can be problematic. Good track width and good frame width as well. Couple of people using them on the ford truck sites Can you offer a link to one of the projects? I would like to take a look. . Quote
cavisco1 Posted October 3, 2016 Report Posted October 3, 2016 http://www.sweptline.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=15468&start=20 http://www.studebaker-info.org/tech/Frames/buddy/aerosusp.html http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/832461-aerostar-ifs-progress-pics.html http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1164255-1954-f-100-d.html Quote
wayfarer Posted October 4, 2016 Report Posted October 4, 2016 That IFS looks like a decent candidate for swapping...has all of the 'usual' needs and appears to un-bolt cleanly. Thanks for the links. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 4, 2016 Report Posted October 4, 2016 pay close attention to the upper a-arm mounts..these seem to have to be very accurately placed for correct geometry and ability to align front suspension...especially in ability to set caster and camber properly.....of the three I see the 54 F100 as the only completed vehicle...and I could not find any information on alignment scanning the pages..I admit I only quick scanned the article...it is 9 pages...if some one read this data please post here....the very setup looks promising...I may investigate this at the local wrecking yard to get a better idea of the upper component mounting and location/relationship to the lower arm..till then I am reserving my overall opinion.. Quote
fargo52 Posted November 3, 2016 Report Posted November 3, 2016 I am currently doing a 1992 Dakota in my 1951 Dodge panel van perfect frame Quote
billschwindt Posted November 3, 2016 Report Posted November 3, 2016 (edited) I have done the Dakota complete frame front to rear, works fine. Right width, right wheel bolt circlr, and best of all its all MOPAR and easy to find parts for. Edited November 3, 2016 by billschwindt missed a word Quote
NiftyFifty Posted November 3, 2016 Report Posted November 3, 2016 I thought for some reason you had a much newer Dakota you were using? How's it coming along, been awhile since I seen the project Quote
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