The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop mustang II setup questions

Could someone explain to what why the mustang II setup is so kewl, and what is involved in the swap,. I could use the education as I just bought a 1952 GMC 1/2 ton and want to fixerup. I guess now is the time to find out options for my new "best friend". Thanks gang , you folks have been great!

Jimmyjeep, most decisions are based on cost, parts available and ease of installation. I used the stangII on my 37 pickup because I could get the entire front end out of a 78 stand including the rack and pinion and brake booster etc to use for a core when getting a new one.All this for $75 bucks and an couple hours of my time to take it out. Another reason is a fellow at work had fabricated the cross members and spring towers etc for many years and many folks. SO, we plated the side of the original 37 chassis and he fabricated the cross member,spring towers and had it were I could attach the rack and pinion etc. I in turn traded him an old heating system I had taken out of a service station. You can now buy the stangII kits for around 1500 but by the time you buy ALL the stuff you will have far more in it. I only had to buy the chev bolt pattern rotors and they fit the stang spindle and I used the stang calipers.
On the other hand a clip from a Nova, Camaro may say you some headaches and a fellow here on the bolt left a message some folks are using some 70's Oldsmobile stuff( in response to my question on what would work good on my 40 sedan.
If I had it to do over again I would most likely go the same route. Think about it and I'm sure other bolters will give you some advice. Be patient and make the right choice for YOU.

Jimmy Jeep: My thoughts on the Mustang 2 suspension is the number of after market parts that you can get to dress it up is what makes it so attractive. They've got it now where you can get any type of bolt pattern, multiple sizes of calipers and rotors, chrome or painted control arms, and various springs etc. Before you set out a bunch of money on the "stang" though, I would give you a couple of other thoughts. First; how about a Corvair w/a mustang rack or secondly an AMC Pacer. A couple of years ago, I built a 41 Chev sedan and used the pacer, The whole car only cost me $75.00, and I not only got the front end, but a real nice tilt wheel to boot. It's a pretty neat set-up, as it's bolted into the Pacer. Real easy to unbolt and roll out from underneath the car. Ready to go with power rack and pinion, standard 5 bolt pattern, and larger rotors and better springs than a standard mustang. The other thing I really liked about it was that the cross member is basically a cradle. Stock, it will put you way down in the weeds. However, you can get the truck as high as you want it by placing perches (for the frame rails to sit on) in the cradle. I'm not sure about the fit on the truck, but I would think it would have to be close to that of my sedan. One last thing. The pacer is wider than the stock mustang, and a whole lot more stout. Good Luck.

A link which may be of some interest...

www.chevytrucks.org/tech/ifs.htm

Also, Toad Hauler/Fatfendered Toad (Skip Whitfield) who is a member here, has done the Pacer IFS swap on one of his (several) Advance Design series trucks, which is the same era and design as your GMC. Hopefully, he'll notice this post and chime in with his thoughts on how well this conversion works in "The Real World."

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Wannabe