64 Front suspension vs. 03 Crown Vic front suspension

[64 Thunderbolt]

I've been researching this for some time now & I finally think I've made a decision as to what front suspensions are my final 2 pics. I'll tell you'll what I want to do here & you'll give me your opinions.
I want an Old Skool look with about 6 or 7 inch steel wheels with just center caps & trim rings on the front with it as low as you can go, another words in the weeds. On the back I'm going with a 8 or 10 inch steel wheel with the same center caps & trim rings. I want this truck to set as low as I can get it without air bags or any of that junk.
If I go with the 64 front suspension I'm going to flip the axle & raise the steering box.
I have a bunch of questions. What is going to be the best of the 2 suspensions to do this? What are each one of there advantages & setbacks? Which is going to be the best cruiser? What is the ride & steering like? Is there setbacks to what wheels you can use with the Crown Vic suspension? Which will lower the truck the most?
That's about all I can think of right now, if I think of anymore I'll post those questions as well.
Give me your feedback & what you'll would do. Like I said I'm going for that Old Skool look & I'm leaning towards the 64 front suspension but I'm wondering about driveability on interstates at say 70 mph or more. I've never owned a straight axle leaf spring front suspension before so I don't know what it's like. I'm also looking at doing this on the cheap!

[azratrod]

dont go with the crown vic suspension. they are not intended for a ladder type fame. too much flex. follow my build thread. you can do all the work yourself with most ordinary hand tools

[cooter]

i looked at them all, bought a cv, gave it away and went with a tubular control arm mustang 2 setup. Cv has some advantages but a PROPERLY fabricated mustang is hard to beat, they come with airbags as well which is what your truck will need

[34rdztr]

mustang II for me also...the only issue i have run into so far is you have to run the motor fairly high up,not to bad, but would like to have it lower. the rear sump pan hits on the p/s r&p.
as far as the straight axle running at 70 mph, i wouldnt be as worried about how it drives as much as how it stops. new bushing and tighten everything up and you should be good to go....

[Shawn F.]

Hold off and wait for Industrial Chassis to come out with their bolt in Dodge Dakota front ends. It's not a for sure thing from what I have been reading but it's something he is thinking about doing so hopefully he gets enough requests and starts building them.
If not then the Mustang II is your other choice.

[64 Thunderbolt]

I appreciate all the replies but I think you've misunderstood what I'm asking here. I'm looking to go the cheapest route I can go & the stock 64 or the Crown Vic is going to be the cheapest routes for me.
I deal with a lot of salvage yards & can get a CV for really cheap if thats what I decide. If the CV is a problem child then I'll stay with the flipped 64.
I really don't have the money for the Mustang II or the Dakota suspension.

[rickairmedic]

Thunderbolt if you are looking for Cheap and Low then you need to do a Camaro Clip . I am pretty sure most of the guys are using Gen 2 Camaro clips 1971-1981 . There are several builds down in the Projects area using these clips . I am looking at doing one myself especially since I can get a complete clip from my local pull a part for around $150.00. You will spend a pile of money getting a straight axle " in da weeds " and the CV setup isnt going to make it easy to get there either .


Rick

[unibody madness]

There are other conciderations as well.
although the crown vic is going to be a good deal in terms of price and your conections, you will not be able to keep your wheel ideals in play.
The cv will put the hubs too far out and change the lug patern to 5x4.5 you will then have to change out either the rear to a matching year or swap out the axles to a similar lug pattern and then the width will not match.
Here is a great thread on the crown vic, its a bit long by now, but if you read it through it will answer a lot of your questions.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/71605 ... -f100.html.
I am putting the gibbons /cordoba swap in one of mine, but it is no longer available. there is a thread on here about the jag swap but not sure one will pop up in your j/y
John

[truckerdaddy66]

I've been driving my gm front end 66 f100 for 41/2 years . 98-2003 camaro. I've got about 15,000 miles w/no problems.Idid have to change out springs on the struts, heavy assed 300 six ! There is some pictures from sat. feb. 15th 2007.

Truckerdaddy66