1981 Thunderbird IFS under a 1940 Ford

[Gerron]

Hello Everyone,
This is my first attempt in a forum. I hope this works. I have been told that a 1981 Thunderbird IFS was a factory bolt-on rather than a welded unit. Can anyone verify that? If so, would it fit, without alterations, on a 1940 Ford frame?
Thanks - Gerron

[Okiedokie]

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

Take a look at this site. I believe you will find it is too wide. Joe

[GPster]

Welcome I hope when I get as old as you two guys (soon) I can tell the difference between F and R. I'm sure someone here has an idea but maybe it's too early in the morning. GPster

[Gerron]

Thanks Joe for your response. The link you supplied is for IRS. I'm looking to do my front suspension which is a '40 split wishbone solid axle, with a 1981 Thunderbird cross member and suspension.
Ron

[Okiedokie]

Well, it was fairly early in the AM, and I am close to retirement. What can I say. Glad GPster is here to keep me straight. Anyway, the front will be too wide also. A Chevy pu [73-87] bolts in also, but it is also too wide.

[Okiedokie]

By the way, if that axle is dropped [I assume it is if bones are split], I might be interested in purchasing it, depending on your location. If you end up going with iFs keep me in mind. One more thing, Chassis Engineering sell a MII bolt in crossmember for a 40. Joe

[enjenjo]

In a word, no. The T bird is a strut suspension, which has two mounting points high on the body, just under the hood. That would be somewhere above the fenders on a 40 Ford.

[Gerron]

Thank you very much for your answer Joe. This saved me time and possibly money down the drain. This is a great forum. I,m glad I joined.
Gerron

[Gerron]

Thanks enjenjo. Your response solidifies my not going that way.
Hi Okiedokie - It is a stock 40 solid axle with the bones split at the tranny mount. It has two inch dropped spindles with disks. Everything is satin black powder coated. I live in Methuen, Massachusetts on the New Hampshire border. I have no idea what the shipping cost would be. I have checked into CE. A little too pricey for my budget.
Gerron

[Charlie Chops 1940]

About the only reasonable choice in terms of cost for IFS on a '40 Ford would be a MII kit. I like the Heidts MII crossmember kit. I have one under my '40 Chevy and it's still going strong after 60K or so I convert it to Pro Shock coil overs.

They also offer an upscale coilover IFS with tubular a-arms called Super Ride. I've used a couple of those and they work well.

Or s dropped beam axle with cross steer still works okay too.

Charlie

[Gerron]

Thanks Charlie. Is it better to buy the entire MII kit, spindle to spindle, or just the cross member and but the suspension components from a nice boneyard Mustang?
Ron

[enjenjo]

You can get a You weld crossmember from Welders Series, and use boneyard parts for the rest.

[Okiedokie]

If money is one of the top priorities on your 40, the beam axle can be made to perform extremely well. I have had both and my 40 sedan with dropped Super Bell and Posies spring was certainly no slouch in ride or handling. My current 40 coupe has CE MII, but is yet undriven. My 46 coupe has MII and it is great. I have another 40 sedan that will become a retirement project and my plan for it is to use a beam axle. Honestly, unless you are planning lots of cross country driving, I am not sure you would know a difference. Have you driven your 40 and are unhappy with the ride/drive? Joe

[Gerron]

It's still in the work in progress stage, so I have not driven the car. I have had other folks tell me to keep the solid axle also. I propably should give it a chance to see if I like the ride. There are many other places on the car I could spend the money on. Thanks for your thoughts Joe,
Ron

[Charlie Chops 1940]

What Enjenjo said.

I used stock upper and lower a-rms but I boxed the bottom of the lowers since I was using coilovers and had to have a bracket off the front side for a sway bay.

Charlie