Steering linkage?

[68blackbird]

Request pics and info of steering linkage of your trucks with Mustang II IFS installed. I installed the IFS kit from Speedway, hope I did it correctly? Does not look like very much room to hook up linkage? Kel

[MiraclePieCo]

I used the same setup, but I have more room than you - maybe because mine is a manual rack? Worst case scenario, just make an indented recess in the crossmember to accommodate the steering joints.

[dsraven]

thats what I would suggest as well, notch the cross member as required but as minimally as required. also you may need a steering shaft support bearing. try to use a minimal number of u joints in the shaft from the column down keeping in mind that the u joints shouldn't have extreme angles, install the engine so you know how things will fit before you get a shaft all fabbed up only to find you can't get exhaust to fit or your engine mounts are in the way. the other thing I suggest to do, since it is open right now, is to fab up a support bracket for the rear of the lower control arm bolt. something that braces it to the frame and leaves room for the control arm and possibly a thin stainless washer so the bushing has some slip room as the control arm moves.


here is a quick youtube on u joints and their angles/effects of angles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idk3BVDVHq4

[dsraven]

I would also suggest to check how much weld is supporting the lower control arm pivot bolt support tube. it looks like the support is basically only coming from the brace and the tube is really just sitting in the cross member.my TCI unit has the tube welded most of the way around the tube.

[_Ogre]

looks pretty much the same on my 58 fatman x-member, except the frame gussets are narrower on mine
lousy pics but it's what i have. all the hoses blocking the view are for my hydroboost
if the steering u-joint fits i say go for it

[_Ogre]

it really helps if you put the year of your truck in your signature

[68blackbird]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

looks pretty much the same on my 58 fatman x-member, except the frame gussets are narrower on mine
lousy pics but it's what i have. all the hoses blocking the view are for my hydroboost
if the steering u-joint fits i say go for it

Your front coils, did you have to cut and how much?

[_Ogre]

do not cut any coils until your truck is 100% together and you drove it for a year
my coils stayed fully extended and bowed out way after the body/motor/trans was completed
it wasn't until the glass/interior/bed was complete when the springs finally came down
i had to brace the frame off the ceiling and jack the hub up to get the shock installed
even 100% assembled the coils continued to compress over the next few thousand miles
probably came down 1'' over the first year driving truk

this pic shows ride height without any coils cut

[68blackbird]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

do not cut any coils until your truck is 100% together and you drove it for a year
my coils stayed fully extended and bowed out way after the body/motor/trans was completed
it wasn't until the glass/interior/bed was complete when the springs finally came down
i had to brace the frame off the ceiling and jack the hub up to get the shock installed
even 100% assembled the coils continued to compress over the next few thousand miles
probably came down 1'' over the first year driving truk

this pic shows ride height without any coils cut

Just what I was looking for, thanks, Kel

[mr48chev]

Looks like a 47/54 GMC frame. I'd think worse case you may have to put a small notch in the crossmember next to the steering shaft. A small piece trimmed from some proper thickness round tubing welded in would make that real presentable and keep the strength.