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Having my truck apart now for various repairs and upgrades ...with plans for future work.. I began wondering if a large expense for the Mustang II IFS would be a good way to get what I want in one package. Not being a wrench I have labor costs to pay so trying to get stock steering up to par, disc brakes and modern suspension it seems that the it would be all accomplished plus more by getting the whole IFS upgrade...which would include power r&p steering and the disc brakes plus better suspension. Seems a rational way to go to me instead of piecemeal upgrades. I'm trying to get this truck to be a fun/comfortable and safe driver. Add to the equation my wrench would charge about $900 for the IFS install. I wish I had the knowledge and equipment to do it all myself.


Opinions encouraged

before, during, and after it was a Mustang II, it was a ford pinto.

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...;Main=80741&Number=571697#Post571697

However it will NOT be less expensive than simply rebuilding the straight axle and throwing on a disc brake conversion.

Your truck looks pretty stock, and I am assuming you want to keep that look ? The M2 would definitely give you better handling, suspension feel, brakes, and steering, however, I'm not sure its worth the expense in your case. If you were considering changing the running gear to a V8, then it would make more sense. You are not limited to M2 - a friend has a '52 with a Chevy Nova front clip which is a nice setup as well. There are other options out there, but most require some major surgery.

Your post states you have the truck "apart". So if you have the engine out and the front sheetmetal off, then yes, now would be the time to do the IFS. It's also recommended to add a brake booster for the disc brakes. Your truck pic's look like its in very good condition, but if your not satisfied with the stock steering, suspension, brakes, and don't mind the expense I'd say go for it. I don't recall any bolter being unhappy with this upgrade.

m2 is a very good upgrade that is well worth it. $900/labor for a full install is quite reasonable me thinks. whick kit are you looking at?

daren

I was/am looking at the CPP kit but found out about a few others this AM on a different thread. One supplier...Gayleco..sp? Is a lot more affordable but I'd like some reviews on it before I buy from them. I think the basic kit is around $1500 or so. Incl RP steering but not power steering. Also tall coil over shocks.

Get some newer frame that has the suspension you want and mount the body on it, then you don't have to worry about a cheesy install that could fall off at 70 down the road.

One thing you have to watch for in a Mustang 2 setup is the balljoints. Seems that some of the manufacturers are using MoPar style balljoints to get extra wheel clearance, but are using a follower type balljoint (non-load bearing) in a loaded application that it was not designed for. This is leading to premature failures.

...crawled around in the rain/mud and took the MII out of a 78 stangII V8cobra. I used ALL the original equipment but rebuilt the balljoints/bushings ect and used the old booster and R&P as cores on new rebuilt ones, welded the crossmember in along with the spring towers and it has been on the road for 10years. Drives and handles nice.....initial cost was $75 for all the front end stuff back then.

IF I wanted to go that route again today, I think I'd either buy the kit, or put a camaro clip on it. Just my .02

i've used 3 gayleco kits and highly recommend them.(all trucks) handle good and staight down the road(even at over 100mph). i've found them to be one of the best kits for the money. all of them have a manual r&p, mostly b/c of my preference. the taller shocks make a difference,esp in a truck. i have a southern rods m2 kit in my car with stock shocks and i find them lacking,also not built as good(many imported parts). feel free to ask questions as i've done quite a few m2 conversions. also, get the sway bar if funds allow, does improve cornering.

daren

Daren,
Thanks for that.. It's a good solid recommendation. I'm not financially that close to going for all of it yet but I will be pretty soon.

i put a fatman cross member in my 35 truck, a little more exp but all the weld in parts were pre fitted for the truck, very easy to install. drives and handles very good

I like my TCI unit. The truck rides and handles great.

Just ordered the kit from TCI yesterday. Nice that it was on 'sale' and saved a few hundred but they seem to be more expensive than some other suppliers. My wrench has one he's installing on another truck in his shop...looks great. He quoted me ten hours to install...hope that's right.

You've already ordered your parts, so this is too late, but the set up I'm looking at for my 38' is from Fabquest at $1399. This is the way I'm planning on going unless something comes up between now and the end of next month.

I haven't bought anything from Gayleco but I have looked over and spoke with him about his kits. He is pretty knowledgable on them and very polite and pleasant. I chose to put a corvette front in mine is the only reason I didn't go with the Gayleco mustangII front.

Yeah, I spoke to him too and agree. Nice guy for sure. My wrench guy is very familiar with the TCI kit, though, so I went with that. He has another Bolt chassis in his shop with one on it and cab off so I could see it all. He explained how a lot of the components are better made and I got some upgrades for 'free' It all arrived last Friday ...just waiting on wheels now. Buying them bare and will paint them myself...no need to pay for powder coating. I have a decent HVLP sprayer that I used on a '52 Army Jeep a few years back.