[zanuck13]

I,m a little new to building a street rod and adding a mustang ll suspension.Currently I am working on a 51 chevy sedan delivery and would like to upgrade the front suspension to a mustang ll. The question I have is if I should do this before painting and all the body work is done or put it in before.
The stock suspension is all tight, steers fine and the power drum brakes work well, car was rodded in the 80's has a 350. I have replaced the rear suspension with a new leaf spring kit from Walton Fabrications, works a lot better than the messed up setup the person before me tried with removing some of the stock leafs and relocating the mounts.
I would really like to get this on the road this summer, however I want to paint it before taking it out. ]
I have some friends who have added mustang ll suspension several years after being on the road, without damaging the paint jobs they have, but if I do it now, it means I will have to wait til fall or winter to get it painted. (budget constraints with everything else that has to be done).

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Centerline]

Personally I would do it now. Although you could do it after the paint is done, why risk damaging your new paint? To do it right you'll need to pull the engine and front sheet metal anyway. If you don't you may not be able to get into areas you'll need to do required welding. Replacing a front suspension isn't something to be taken lightly and you can't just "tack" it in.

My advice is to do it right (for safety) or just rebuild your stock suspension and forget the Mustang II.

Centerline

[1Fast65Elky]

I agree, thats a big step to tackle yourself. I'd go with rebuilding the stock front end, heck you can even convert to disc brakes while your at it If thats what your looking for. I was able to rebuild my front end in a couple hours work and under 150 bux..

[nomad55]

CHeck with Zigs street rod and RB'S. They both offer a direct bolt in replacement for your front end. I have installed one of these is a 1954 belair and it is a sweet set up.

If you look at your front cross member you will find that it unbolts and you can roll it out and install the new one. It bolts in the same holes as the factory and uses the mustang II type suspension componets.

Although the factory just bolted them in, I would weld it in place after installation.

[zanuck13]

Thanks for the info, I've been looking online at different setups for the front end, TCI has a good setup, but like Centerline said should pull the engine to do it properly.
I checked over the front suspension components again on the car and I think for now will just rebuild. I need to get the car sealed up and painted before winter so the interior mods can be done. I have already taken off the front fenders and hood, (about a 1/2 hour project), to align the doors and get them fitting properly. Getting them back on only takes about an hour.
With what has to be done to the body, quarter replacement, stripped to bare metal, (has been painted about 6 times including factory paint), remove all the bondo the previous owner used to fix the rust, it will probably be July or August before I can get it painted. Next year might be better for me to worry about if I actually need the Mustant ll suspension. MP Brakes sells a kit for disc conversion and since this will be a vehicle used for business and pleasure, I might be ahead to use the stock suspension for reliability.

Again I appreciate all of your feedback.

[Gr8 '48 bow tie]

Originally Posted by 1Fast65Elky

I agree, thats a big step to tackle yourself. I'd go with rebuilding the stock front end, heck you can even convert to disc brakes while your at it If thats what your looking for. I was able to rebuild my front end in a couple hours work and under 150 bux..

Elky or anyone else, I have been wanting to install a M ll in my '48 Fleetline. I've got her stripped to the bone, the body is loose and just waiting to be blasted. Got a little carried away. Back to the question at hand. You mentioned above that you can convert to disc brakes. That sounds OK, and would be less expensive to do if I can get all the components to do both the brakes and a power steering system. That old '48 frame is strong and already boxed so it seems it will work fine. Today I took a good close look and Daydreamed a bit then I thought, "The suspension on the front of my car is the same as the early Vette's used with the exception of the shock absorbers. I believe '49 had tube shocks where mine has the top A arm attacthed to the valve body that sits atop the coil spring. I essentually have early model coil-overs in reverse (over-coils).
Is this a doable project. It seems to me that it would be inexpensive compared to replacing the complete IFS.


Al