IFS versus stock...

[fosh69]

If you have IFS, let us know what you think... if you prefer stock, tell us why.

[MountainMoparRobin]

The decisions are hard, the straight axle will cost less, hold an aligmment 10x longer and has hardly no maintence, and it can be beefed up to do some good handling relettively cheap, however the IFS has more proven ways to get performance and it has clearance through the middle that the straight axle doesn't, I'm at the same point in time of tossing the idea of switching to IFS for performance, mainly to go on the Power Cruise and kick some @#%, just like Brain Deeds did, or just to make alot of national shows if the Power Tour stays east of Colorado. I wil put the 70 in the garage after the Cruise and then it will turn into a shortbox, and body mods, and the paint scheme finally finished.

[Jims68]

I still have the straight axle in my truck. I won't ever change it. It is a 2WD and would never go off road either. I also think the ride it gives feels great. So, don't change it because you want a "nice" ride. If you have good shocks, tires, suspension and king pins aren't worn out, then you'll get that great ride too.

Jim

[soopernaut]

As time goes on it will be harder to find parts for these trucks. Many parts are hard to find already. A good straight axle with non worn parts will ride and steer nicely(except when not rolling). If parts become worn you will have to locate replacements. If you want upgraded brakes and steering you might have to fabricate something. If you go to IFS from a relatively common vehicle or aftermarket supplier the parts should be available for a longer amount of time. It would also provide better brakes and steering if this is what you are looking for. The ride quality might be improved too with IFS. The drawback is getting the IFS into your truck. This will take fabrication of some kind since there is no confirmed bolt in IFS.

[fosh69]

Thanks for the replies, guys... the intent of the thread isn't to help me make a decision. That has already been done. I originally was going to keep the straight axle for the very reason I wanted to get back into these trucks, the nice handling I remember years ago when I owned my first '70 Adventurer. It is, however becomong very apparent that altering the factory setup (lowering, larger tires, etc.) seems to inevitably increase the effort to drive these. Anything far from stock design has its consequences.

The intent is to get opinions of those actually running the IFS, type of IFS, any regrets and such as well as those that are sticking with the factory setup. Straight-up no b.s. info from those that have walked down the path so that in the future, a guy or gal can do a search and get the skinny if they are contemplating the conversion. I know there have been many discussions about the swap, what to swap blah, blah, blah... but I have yet to get many offerings of folks who have done the swap and their driving experience (i.e. highway speed, in-town driving etc.) It seems that once the swap has been done, the person that did it has no interest in filling in the rest of us of how it actually works. I knew there would be those out there that swear by what Ma MoPar originally put together and that's all well and good, too. For those of us not just restoring, though, that have a theme or stance in mind that the factory never dreamed of, various opinions can help.

[wedgehead]

I did the swap and used the Mustang II kit from Fatman. It was easy to install and has good quality , heavy duty parts. As far as driving goes I have only driven it about a 100 miles but I am very happy with the ride and handleing. The only thing I may change is the springs, when I put it togeather I cut off 2 coils. I like the look but I only have 6" clearance from the bottom of bumper, I will get another set of springs or possibly a taller tire. I have owend two 68s 1 power 1 manual both drove like trucks and thats whats great about them if you want org. or a daily driver. As you said some like to modify and options are limited with stock susp. These are old pics. I have better ones but I can't downsize them.


Ernie

[fosh69]

very nice... it does look like you could use more tire in there. What is your track width hub-hub?

[PatS]

The 2005-2006 Crown Victoria IFS might be worth a look. IFS, disc brakes, motor mounts, power rack and pinion and police car handling


Here it is going into a 50 Dodge Pilothouse truck






More info and some measurements from the builder on this thread:
http://www.vintagerods.ca/showthread.php?t=630

[MountainMoparRobin]

Wow, that is nice! it just rolls under and bolts down

[Jims68]

Wow, that is nice! it just rolls under and bolts down

It does look nice, although, I wouldn't say... "bolts down". Look at the upper control arm. Needs a block welded in there to support it. BUT, sure does look nice....

Jim

[Hobcobble]

Wow, that is nice! it just rolls under and bolts down

It does look nice, although, I wouldn't say... "bolts down". Look at the upper control arm. Needs a block welded in there to support it. BUT, sure does look nice....

Jim

Additionally..... those pics show it being attached to a Pilot House frame.
There might be more [or less] fab work needed for the Sweptline frame. It looks
like a nice set up though.
John

[soopernaut]

Wow, that is nice! it just rolls under and bolts down

It does look nice, although, I wouldn't say... "bolts down". Look at the upper control arm. Needs a block welded in there to support it. BUT, sure does look nice....

Jim

Additionally..... those pics show it being attached to a Pilot House frame.
There might be more [or less] fab work needed for the Sweptline frame. It looks
like a nice set up though.
John

http://sweptline.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20874

[OverdoneDodge]

Wedgehead-
PM sent.
Rob

[funkyjbp]

i have an 04 mercury marauder chassis and (crown vic) and i will be doing a sweptline conversion in the upcoming months. it will not bolt-on but it will be close. the sweptline frame flares out to about 37 inches at the widest part. the crown vice is 35 from spring tower to spring tower. i will have to notch the frame in on both side to allow the crossmember to fit outside of the frame. it will be easy fab work as i will box the frame anyway. you will have to weld one tab for the rear bolt of the A-arm and that's it. vari-rate power rack & pinion steering, big power disc brakes, four bolts for the crossmember. Interestingly enough, the marauder and my 71 short wide bed both have 114 inch wheelbases... more on that after i get the marauder body pulled and look at the frame. the marauder has frame rails that go clear to the rocker panels and i think it will interfere with the rocker steps on out trucks. i may move the marauder frame rails in 8 inches though. later, jp in the land of oz!

[MountainMoparRobin]

Gentlemen don't have a heart attach, but this is a swap I could forsee doing, yes I know its not Mopar, but I like the way this goes in, I will seriously look at doing this swap myself

[Hobcobble]

Gentlemen don't have a heart attach, but this is a swap I could forsee doing, yes I know its not Mopar, but I like the way this goes in, I will seriously look at doing this swap myself

Holy sh*t!.... this means Armageddon for sure
John

[OverdoneDodge]

Wedgehead-
Sent another PM!
Rob

[George]

The stock solid beam axle used on the D series truck is one of the details of the design that give the Sweptlines so much of their character. I know state of the art
engineering circa 1908. Every big rig on the road uses that design because it works.It is a truck after all and when you put a load in it and drive the front settles and the camber of the front wheels can not change,adversely affecting directional stability. On smooth roads the advantages of Ifs are minimal. As for parts availability Just about any auto parts store in the USA can supply a Moog king pin and bushing kit for about $50. Every other part seem to be readily available
as well. For me the appeal of these trucks is their simplicity very pure, it is a lot like driving a classic car with brakes. If I wanted Ifs I would get a newer truck.

[soopernaut]

If I wanted Ifs I would get a newer truck.

Everybody is different. I wouldn't settle for a newer truck if I wanted a Sweptline. I'd upgrade, as would many others here. There is nothing wrong with the ride of the I-beam trucks at all but for those who want more modern brakes and steering we have to rely on fabrication. Since the parts have already been incorporated into newer trucks and cars with the correct engineering it seems like a simple solution to me.

[POWWAG]

Gentlemen don't have a heart attach, but this is a swap I could forsee doing, yes I know its not Mopar, but I like the way this goes in, I will seriously look at doing this swap myself

Blasphemer! I'd stay out of lightning storms as the MOPAR gods may be angered. The only way to seek redemption may be to have a pentastar tattooed on your butt.