Thunderbird IRS in an AD Truck

[Coach529]

I am still in the planning stages for this project, but I figured I might as well document all the info I am digging up!!

I know this has been done before, but I could find very little documented in regards to a Chevy install.



ol' chebby over at Classic Parts Forum has one in his 3600 and I have spoke with him numerous time about it. Below is his truck....and another truck he built.



Good donors are 1989- 1997 Thunderbird/ Cougars and 1993 - 1998 Lincoln Mark 8. The Fords were on coil springs, the Lincolns are all on bags. Fords are available in 7.5" and 8.8" with drums and discs available. The Lincolns were 8.8 only, and only disc brakes. Depending on your location, they can be bought pretty cheap. I found a 8.8" in 3.23 ratio with discs locally for $250.00.

My plan is to put it on air. With this set up, you can lay frame without a huge notch, or relocating the height of the bed floor.

Below is a picture of the IRS in a TF truck.





more later..........

[Coach529]

A few more pictures of them installed.

Ol' Chebby's 3600.





Ford Install





Team 321 makes mounting brackets for the Ford IRS system to mount to Ford trucks. A link to their website is below. Dave at Team 321 is a great resource for IRS info.

http://team321.com/truckirs/truckirs.html

Below is a picture of a 56 Ford installed with the Team 321 kit.



Another Ford Install

[Coach529]

Below is a great build thread on step by step install in a 1951 F1

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/81...ll-how-to.html

[T Hilde]

I had looked into that once because I have one those rear ends. My plan was to leave it as a bolt in unit. But didn't when I became disillusioned with the Danforth kit and went to the dakota chassis.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by T Hilde

I had looked into that once because I have one those rear ends. My plan was to leave it as a bolt in unit. But didn't when I became disillusioned with the Danforth kit and went to the dakota chassis.

I have my heels dug in on staying with the stock frame, so I really like this option.

[fourspeedwagon]

Not sure if titles can be modified, but looks like all Rear installs instead of ifs right? Or are you going to do the front as well?

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by fourspeedwagon

Not sure if titles can be modified, but looks like all Rear installs instead of ifs right? Or are you going to do the front as well?

Darnit......should be IRS. I sent a message to the Moderator.

Thanks for the heads up.

I have not decided on IFS yet.

[T Hilde]

Had I kept the stock frame I would have used the T-bird rear. The dakota was sitting there, my son quit driving it.

[mr48chev]

That looks interesting and you had me wondering with that Thunderbird IFS in that I was trying to figure out what you were going to do with the struts.

[Coach529]

Obstacles:

Rear end bolt pattern is 5 x 4-1/4. New hubs can be bought for 5 x 4-1/2 which would allow a much better wheel selection. Redrilling the stud holes is also an option. I am hoping there is enough room to redrill them 5 x 4-3/4 so I can keep my existing wheels. I won't be able to determine that until I pick up the rear end.

[iowaboynca]

Originally Posted by Coach529

Obstacles:

Rear end bolt pattern is 5 x 4-1/4...

Wonder why ford did that? Figure it would have been cheaper to have everything 5 x 4.5...

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by iowaboynca

Wonder why ford did that? Figure it would have been cheaper to have everything 5 x 4.5...

Very good question.

[iowaboynca]

LOL...cuz its ford...
I've owned a few in the day and I have caught myself asking myself, usually when under the hood, "why'd they do that? What where they thinking..."

[solidaxel]

My neighbor just finished a 52 Chevy AD truck and he installed a 300 ZX IRS and it fits great and rides great the bolt pattern is a 4 1/2 Ford, this is the only pic I have.

There is a rod builder in Washington that is all he uses is 300 ZX

Just as a thought, have you heard about these?

[solidaxel]

Found another one !

[Coach529]

Awesome truck. I have heard of the 300z IRS....but have never seen one installed.

[fourspeedwagon]

Originally Posted by Coach529

Awesome truck. I have heard of the 300z IRS....but have never seen one installed.

A friend is using one in a Street Rod 29 Essex. He likes it and hasn't blown it up yet- 351w and automatic.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by fourspeedwagon

A friend is using one in a Street Rod 29 Essex. He likes it and hasn't blown it up yet- 351w and automatic.

That is good to know!!

[Coach529]

T-Bird Install in a Ford F100.

http://forums.truckinweb.com/70/8877...0-irs-install/

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by Coach529

T-Bird Install in a Ford F100.

http://forums.truckinweb.com/70/8877...0-irs-install/

Thanks for the link. A friend has one to build and this is very helpful.

[wwbill617]

Any updates? been a while.

Bill

[Coach529]

Just stripping the truck apart now. Went to the local junkyard and picked out a rear end yesterday. 8.8 with 3.23 posi with disc brakes out of Super Coupe. Picking it up next week.

[Hampshire]

Gotta see this done...sounds very cool. Adaptive re-use at it's best!

[dwcsr]

I'll have to follow you on this one. I'm starting that same swap on a F3 Ford
This is the path I'm going to follow by modifying the mounting points show in the picture. This should work for a 3600 as well

[Coach529]

I am hoping to start the install in the next couple weeks. I want to get my front cross member installed first.