Next on the list is the rear suspension with a mount kit from truckirs.com. We are also putting in the dash area from a '65/'66 Custom Cab with instrument cluster. Still have the hood to do. A very subtle cowl induction. Sink the tail lights 1". Contemplating some tailgate treatment. That kinda depends on Dennis Carpenter for the piece I need.
Last edited by elgemcdlf on Sun Apr 17, 2011 10:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Truck looks great! What year thunderbird did you get the IFS from and how hard was it to fab it into the 70's truck? I have been hunting for a front suspension and lets just say I have been short of luck finding one.
Judgement699 wrote:Truck looks great! What year thunderbird did you get the IFS from and how hard was it to fab it into the 70's truck? I have been hunting for a front suspension and lets just say I have been short of luck finding one.
The front suspension is from a 2005 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor with 1 1/2" dropped springs from Detroit Eaton. The rear suspension came from a 1995 Thunderbird (IRS) but isn't in the truck yet. The front suspension swap is some work BUT WELL WORTH IT! You pick up rack and pinion steering, 12" rotors and dual piston calipers. It stops great! Takes curves flat. Handling is very good with the old leaf springs in the rear. Can't wait to see what she drives like with the rear suspension in. I would highly recommend getting a front suspension unit from a Police Interceptor or Taxi (they are the same). They come with a better handling package. The fab work is minimal for this type of a swap. I think the worst part was drilling 4 3/4" D. holes on my back.
Glad you guys like the fenders. I had a couple days of guilt over them. It is what I wanted but when I got home with them I had remorse over hacking up a pair of original 40 year steel fenders. It's not clear in the pics but the wipers are gone. We cut out the holes and welded in pieces from a donor truck of the cowl grate. So we have the cowl grate all the way across just like Ford never put wipers in the truck.
48prerunner wrote:looks good what size and offset front tires are you running?
They are 17" 245's I believe. Now the sad part for you info wise. They are just there to hold the truck up. I got a set of those wheels when I bought the IRS. I am going back with "old school" steel wheels with trim rings and center caps painted to match the truck. You have to run a minimum of 16" wheels with the CV IFS to clear the 12" rotors & calipers. The steel wheels will send more of the tire outboard. I can try to measure them to get an idea of the offset. Again those are just "junk" wheels holdin the truck up.
Rear mount kit ordered from http://www.truckirs.com to mount the TBird IRS. Just waitin on it to arrive. Gettin kinda "itchy" to rip the bed off and get started. We plan on taking plenty of pics during the process. She will also be back to a matched set of wheels. Called a friend of mine with a 460 & C6. Still sittin on his shelf. Have a sneaking suspicion it isn't far from going into the truck as well. Anyone have info on doing the 460 install? Mainly concerned with motor mounts (frame side). Is there a set I can use (my 302 mounts) or others or do I need to fab from scratch?
UPDATE:
Mount kit here! Found a used rack for $50.00. Changed my mind on hood badges. Going to use badges from a '54 F100. Need to get the rack installed & then comes the IRS.
Last edited by elgemcdlf on Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:38 am, edited 2 times in total.
I had a massive heart attack back in January (not my first) which has slowed me down a bit. I will be documenting the install process with plenty of pics (way better than the IFS). Info on the swap can be found at www.truckirs.com. Dave at truckirs is working on the mount pieces for the CV IFS install on the truck chassis as well. Very easy guy to work with, no negative issues whatsoever. Have my hood badges coming. Should be here next week. I am still hoping to have the IRS in by the end of September. I figure if all goes well I will have the IRS, engine & trans in just in time to put it up for the winter.
Glad to hear of more progress. Glad youre back in action after the heart episode. Take care of yourself and I'll be looking forward to the pics of the rear swap.
The truck also hauls absolutely nothing in the bed! I have a '90 F150 4x4 for truck things. I am not concerned with mileage, fun factor over rules mileage any day.
Last edited by elgemcdlf on Thu Jan 29, 2015 8:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
