65 panel crown vic front end swap update

[TATTOO2131]

Ok, got the old front end out and the 2001 Crown vic front end under the chasis. Overall it lowered the front end 5 inches which will match the drop I am going to do on the rear. All I had to do at this point is add in some 3x6 stock to widen the frame. There will be a little frame mod behind where the rear supports attach to the frame. At this point it appears it is going to be a pretty easy swap, of course with the usual hicups. Below are pics showing progress and will continue to update this thread showing progress. Enjoy.

[andrewmp6]

I gotta ask what made you use the crown vic ifs?

[TATTOO2131]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

I gotta ask what made you use the crown vic ifs?

Well, I looked at doing a Mustang II but looked like more work and I would of had to put in a cross member etc. Also I got a smokin deal on the price of it that fit my budget. Another thing if a person has the time the front end can be polished being all aluminum. It's a better looking front end then the mustang in my opinion. I got the front and rear end that have the larger disc brakes than the mustang and it lowered my front end far enough I don't have to invest in a lowering kit. Parts replacement is cheap enough. Saw it on Utube being used and thought I would give it a try. So far I like my decision.

[andrewmp6]

I have seen a ton of ford trucks 78 and older use it because it almost bolts in them.Its a 03 and newer btw,Do you know if its from a normal crown vic or a cop car?Reason i ask the cop car ones used stiffer springs.

[TATTOO2131]

It came from one of our local cop cars. He said he thought it was an 01 but wasn't sure because he already scrapped the car.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I am using one under my F100 project truck, and mine being a Ford my frame was much wider.

If I were doing it under a GM truck like your doing I would cut you 3x6 into L stock, and weld the bottom section on first.

Then I would cut some gussets to dress up the edges, but also reinforce the channel.

Get some 3/16 flat stock, and cut into one nice big piece to tie in the lower section of your L stock up and over into the suspension head. Where that black cap flips down, and bolts to the frame.

On my truck I tied the upper section of the frame to the CV's frame mounts to reinforce the frame as much as possible. The CV frame is stiffer, and twists less then a ladder frame of our vintage. I fee this stiffens the best way we have available to us.

PM, and I can email you a few pics.

[TATTOO2131]

Did the L stock like you recommended, worked great, going to cinch it up today and get going on tilt front clip. Heres some PICs

[TATTOO2131]

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Looks good.

The Mustang use's the same rack set-up if your having a hard time finding universal joints.

[rickyb123]

Is the track width on crown vic the same

[TATTOO2131]

track width meaning the width of the outside of the tire the is only a small difference. On the stock front/rear end the outside of the tires measured 73" On the Crown Vic front/rear end the tires I am running are 75" to the outside, only adding 1 inch per side. The vic is a wider set up but has a positive inset on the rims I will be running 20" x 10" on the rear and 20: x 8.5" on the front plus I dropped frame 6" inches in the front and almost 10 in the back with airbags. I am attaching more of the most recent photos with the tilt front end etc.

[TATTOO2131]

[TATTOO2131]

Originally Posted by rickyb123

Is the track width on crown vic the same

Rickyb123, f you want better pics of how I ended on the install PM me and I will email them to you. I am also running the crown vic 8.8 posi rear end on the back.

[TATTOO2131]

The tires and rims on it now are 16" with a tire width of 10" they are just mock up rims. If my calculations are correct I should have approx 3" clearance between the top of tire and the underside of the front fender after the 20"'s are on. The tire width I will be running on the front will be 10.5" and on the rear 12.25"

[andrewmp6]

Looks go so far,are you going to brace it up anymore?I would think about putting a piece cross the two upper pieces you have.

[TATTOO2131]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Looks go so far,are you going to brace it up anymore?I would think about putting a piece cross the two upper pieces you have.

Yes more bracing will go in after frame is stripped again for sandblasting. Still going to tie the front end motor mount to the frame and still have to fab the actual motor mounts. Don't want to do a lot of welding with front end on as it gets slag burn marks in the aluminum.

[andrewmp6]

Yeah your good then,I'm the kind that would rather over build something then have to do it over again later.And about the ride height qa1 does make coilovers for it so you can dial that in to your liking.The vic suspension has some upgrades out there bigger sway bar bigger brakes.