Dakota front crossmembers

Garbz · Post by **Garbz** » January 10, 2007, 1:46 pm

We have 2 crossmembers ready for shipment. They will fit 65 to 79 frames.

$695.00 plus applicable tax and shipping.

We will be working on four crossmembers for the 61 to 64 frames next.

Garbz

MadMaxetc · Post by **MadMaxetc** » January 10, 2007, 5:56 pm

I can't wait for my 64!

It will be nice to get her rolling again!

PFM-64f100 · Post by **PFM-64f100** » January 10, 2007, 8:24 pm

Anyone done this conversation for the 64 (or earlier)? If so do you have any pictures that I can look at. Been thinking MII but this may give me a different option. I also need to know how much lower if any the front will sit. Also Pro vs Cons with Dakota vs MII conversion?

If someone has a write up on this conversion that could work also. Thanks for any help.

e mail purpleflyingmonkey at gmail dot com

ELpolacko · Post by **ELpolacko** » January 11, 2007, 12:26 pm

FTE did a huge IFS comparison years ago: http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/ ... t_One.html

In case you haven't seen it. And our website: www.industrialchassisinc.com gives some basic details. I need to get this thing updated, way too old and clunky.

Anyway, yes I have done several of these and run one under my 63 F100 and put a lot of hard miles on it. I try and brake things by "driving over railroad tracks and riding the brakes" :shock:

(THANKS FOR THAT ONE GARY!) Sliding through corners, drag racing and any other abuse I can think of. It has held very well.

Installation is similar to the Mustang II conversions except I try and make things a bit easier by attaching the boxing plates to the crossmember. This takes out any question of position or angles and speeds up the installation. The spring towers do need to be notched into the frame. You have to take out a section of the frame to do so but only after the crossmember and boxing plates are fully welded in place. Once everything is welded up, the installation ofthe parts is as easy as assembling any other IFS.

The Dakota power rack and pinion is made by Saginaw. So using a Saginaw pump makes perfect sense and hoses are as easy to come by as you local parts store. There is no need for special valving or pressure reducers to get good steering feel.

Wheel sizes and brakes are a no brainer. THe Dakota came with 5 on 4.5" bolt patterns from 1987-1990 and those rotors will fit the 1991-1996 Dakotas. These Rotors are 11.375" in Diameter so there is no need to ups size the brakes. Since the Dakota came with 225-70-15 or larger tires and big brakes you don't have to worry about shortening the life span of your suspension bushings and ball joints like you do on the Mustang II.

Satinblack · Post by **Satinblack** » January 11, 2007, 1:34 pm

I don't want to hear anymore crying when I say put a 454 in a slick.

Dodge frontend under a ford.............

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » January 11, 2007, 1:44 pm

Actually, Steve has both. :lol:

Maybe you missed -THIS-, SB

ELpolacko · Post by **ELpolacko** » January 11, 2007, 2:17 pm

LOL, yeah I've seen that before.. All those features must be what makes the LIMA soooo popular, :roll:

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » January 11, 2007, 4:05 pm

You're right Steve. I guess it's just popular with thepeople that count :wink:

PFM-64f100 · Post by **PFM-64f100** » January 11, 2007, 5:11 pm

I have some reading to do now. This gives me some more options to think about plus it adds some more parts to look for in my adventures. I really wish I could finish up the Torino soon this way I can get the pickup up to snuff. I have a goal and that not to have both vehicles down at the same time.

Anyone got pictures of there conversions already done with this front end?

http://www.purpleflyingmonkey.com/Torin ... eFile.html

ELpolacko · Post by **ELpolacko** » January 11, 2007, 5:18 pm

Since you brought that up JC, Could you point out anything Ford in there?

'Cause you know us un-loyal hot rodders can only see Elephant in there...

HEMI-HEMI-HEMI-HEMI-HEMI

GAWD I feel dirty, gotta go wash my mullet now.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » January 11, 2007, 5:22 pm

Joe Dirt says: They MAY have taken some styling cues from the Elephant :wink:

ELpolacko · Post by **ELpolacko** » January 11, 2007, 6:07 pm

[albumimg]1419[/albumimg] [albumimg]1420[/albumimg]

Sorry for the angle. Didn't catch it before I posted it. That is the crossmember installed on one of our new construction frames.

Here you go, short but sweet installation on a 1963 Ford Unibody

[albumimg]1421[/albumimg] [albumimg]1422[/albumimg] [albumimg]1423[/albumimg]

[albumimg]1424[/albumimg] [albumimg]1425[/albumimg] [albumimg]1426[/albumimg]

And what it looked like when we finished the "other" work.

[albumimg]1427[/albumimg]

It got the frame Z-d three inches in the front, a 6" bridge notch and a torque arm with watts linkage rear on 9000 series sleeve bags.

PFM-64f100 · Post by **PFM-64f100** » January 11, 2007, 9:56 pm

You know those pictures are going to make me go find a good short bed 64 frame and order a Dakota cross member when there done. I actually love this setup already. Been looking at the MII for the pickup and they just seemed a little under rated for my big 460 motor and truck. I have already killed one cross member in my truck and it was suppose to be for the big engine. On the Torino the MII is fine she will only be a little 302 HO (ok may have to stork it out some) with aod.

When will those new cross members for the 64 be ready? Are they sold yet? how bad is shipping to 76052?

Also stupid question I'm sure. What is the bracket for that's circled in yellow?

ELpolacko · Post by **ELpolacko** » January 12, 2007, 1:04 pm

Caution!

JC, the following pictures carry a FORD Fan "spank factor" of 9 or higher.

View with extreme caution!

[albumimg]1431[/albumimg] [albumimg]1432[/albumimg] [albumimg]1433[/albumimg]

[albumimg]1434[/albumimg] [albumimg]1435[/albumimg] [albumimg]1436[/albumimg]

[albumimg]1437[/albumimg]

And please take care to use proper viewing techiniques and observe all saftey regulations while viewing this video. It may cause chaffing, redness and soreness to those with blue blood and oval platelets in thier bloodstream.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4ybXTb6LHc

ELpolacko · Post by **ELpolacko** » January 12, 2007, 1:08 pm

PFM-64f100 wrote:When will those new cross members for the 64 be ready? Are they sold yet? how bad is shipping to 76052?

Will be ready by the end of the month, no pre-orders, and shipping will likely be about $45.00 UPS

Also stupid question I'm sure. What is the bracket for that's circled in yellow?

The area circled is for the rear bushing in the lower control arm .

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » January 12, 2007, 2:08 pm

That's a sweet looking cross member you've made there!

ELpolacko wrote:Caution!

JC, the following pictures carry a FORD Fan "spank factor" of 9 or higher.

View with extreme caution!

THAT'S FOR SURE! :shock:

Those headers on the '53 are sure sweet lookin' pieces! Definitely not store-bought, I'd guess.
I also like the crankase scavenging system in the '62 Uni. :thumright:

Lots of drool-worth stuff in those pics.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » January 12, 2007, 2:12 pm

Well Gawwwlllee Sarge, ain't that one of them thar 385's? :shock:

cool headers BTW :thumright:

DV65CustomCab · Post by **DV65CustomCab** » January 12, 2007, 2:42 pm

You mean Garbz hasn't gone on strike from being forced to weld DODGE parts up for Fords? :lol:

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » January 12, 2007, 3:18 pm

not sure if you can really call them dodge parts though.

i know they are made for the dakota but i had several of the newer dodge trucks in the yard when we had the towing service and there are bar code stickers on the frame and theres one that has the company name that makes them in Canada something-tech cant remember but not chrysler corp.
i also recognize quality workmanship , Steves pics show it,and even though personally its not what i need or want for my truck those dodges are heavy (i winched out and rolled over a bunch of them) and i have no doubt that the installation on an f-series is enough to handle its weight and a big block engine.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » January 12, 2007, 3:45 pm

WEEEeeeeell Dawgies!

Dakota front crossmembers

Dakota front crossmembers

Pictures of converstion?

Thanks ELpolacko for the information

cool thanks more ?'s

Re: cool thanks more ?'s