Crazy Talk - Crown Vic Front end

[Sultan]

So I was watching Fast n Loud and they did a front end suspension swap on a F100. They used a Crown Vic.

So I was wondering if there are anything like this for us 1st gen people? Can you swap a newer 98 front suspension on an 86 for example?

Thanks

 

[adsm08]

Why would you want to? The 98+ front end is not as strong, harder to lift or lower, and doesn't actually ride any better (the whole point of the change in the first place). Oh, and parts are more expensive. The ONLY advantage to the SLA suspension is that there are more people out there who know how to align them.

 

[cammeddrz]

So I was watching Fast n Loud

I saw the title of this thread, and instantly said to myself "dude must've been watching Fast 'N Loud, because they're the only ones who think this is a worthwhile swap"

I just had to click into this thread to see, and I agree with ADSM 100%

 

[ZMan]

A lot of people actually swap Toyota pickup front suspensions into the i-beam Rangers...they're doing it more for alignment issues with airbag suspension though. Some have done 98+ ranger swaps into the older ones, but even those suffer from a lot of camber when airbagged.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've thought about but haven't researched this idea. The ttb isn't a good setup for cornering according to all the research I've done and I was thinking newer sla.
I don't have time to look at options right now but I'll keep an eye on this thread.

Richard

 

[adsm08]

I've thought about but haven't researched this idea. The ttb isn't a good setup for cornering according to all the research I've done and I was thinking newer sla.
I don't have time to look at options right now but I'll keep an eye on this thread.

Richard

Dude, I used to run up and down a road that looked like those early-2000s Mazda commercials. You know S.


I'd take it at 45 to 55 MPH in my 87. No cornering issues there, just gotta know how to drive it.

 

[Sultan]

Thanks for the input. My 86B2 wanders like it just drank a six pack. I have a good alignment and I had the box tightened. I am just looking at ideas.

1 - I was using the 98 as an example.
2 - This B2 will never go off road as it is too nice to beat on

I hadn't heard of the Toyota swap. Maybe because I haven't looked into bagging it.

Thanks again for your time and thoughts

 

[JoshT]

I saw the title of this thread, and instantly said to myself "dude must've been watching Fast 'N Loud, because they're the only ones who think this is a worthwhile swap"

I just had to click into this thread to see, and I agree with ADSM 100%

Actually it's a fairly common swap on the F-100, and its a pretty easy swap compared to anything available for the Ranger, it's definitely a better handling suspension than what was stock. The Crown Vic cross member is almost the perfect width for them, and with a few frame mods it bolts right in. Sure it's not as "strong" or "tough" as a TIB suspension, but they aren't as weak as you would think and guys doing it are building street trucks.

All that said pretty much the only viable swaps for the Ranger are MII or Toyota. The 98+ can be done, but as said not really worth it. I've also seen one guy successfully pull off a 98+ frame swap under a First Gen Ranger, and while I have no doubt that it is a badass truck now, I don't see it being worth the work that went into it. While I fully believe that the proper suspension swap (not sure which that is yet) can do wanders for a Ranger's handling, I also think that you can go a long way on the factory TIB suspension before it becomes a necessity.

Dude, I used to run up and down a road that looked like those early-2000s Mazda commercials. You know S.


I'd take it at 45 to 55 MPH in my 87. No cornering issues there, just gotta know how to drive it.

Too slow! The TIB suspension can be made to do a lot, but it has it's limits for handling. Someone actually building a corner carving street truck (which I see as my long term goal) or auto-x truck will reach the limits of a TIB suspension. It will take a while before they hit that wall but it will eventually be reached. Not going to get into suspension design specifics, but the a SLA style suspension is a big improvement. Best improvement would be a custom 1-off design build specifically for the truck, but that's beyond most people's capabilities and way overkill for a weekend fun truck. The Mustang II suspension (and the crown vic swap for the f-100) is an excellent compromise, that could be done in a couple weekends by most people in their garage at home.

 

[JoshT]

Thanks for the input. My 86B2 wanders like it just drank a six pack. I have a good alignment and I had the box tightened. I am just looking at ideas.

1 - I was using the 98 as an example.
2 - This B2 will never go off road as it is too nice to beat on

I hadn't heard of the Toyota swap. Maybe because I haven't looked into bagging it.

Thanks again for your time and thoughts

Just noticed that we are talking about a 4x4 BII here. You are pretty much stuck with what you have unless you want to do a SAS. None of the swaps mentioned so far are compatible with 4wd, unless you plan to loose 4wd. Also, unless you plan to slam it to the ground, those really won't work well for a stock height BII (or Ranger for that matter).

Sounds to me like you have some suspension issues that need to be addressed. An alignment is all fine and dandy, but that isn't the only thing that can make a suspension wander. I'm thinking you might have some bushings or joints in the front suspension that need attention. Some tires are also worse than others about following the road, I have no experience with the Kumho Road Venture to know if that may be the case here.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

I saw this and thought there was going to be a picture of a Ranger with the front swapped with a Crown Vic.
Like this.

 

[Sultan]

Er that is an interesting Ranger.

 

[PirateB]

All that work and they didn't even paint match the mirrors? It has potential, I kinda like it

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD

 

[4.0B2]

anything can be done with the right amount of time, knowledge, tools, and willingness