There’s an intimidation factor that prevents many street rodders from tackling certain projects on their cars. This factor is particularly strong when it comes to chassis and suspension work—especially if that work involves welding and fabrication. Anytime you can alleviate some of that intimidation, you succeed in making many rodders more self-sufficient.
Speedway Motors is making independent front suspension installation easy for fat-fendered Ford owners with its new Bolt-In IFS Crossmember for ’35-40 Fords.
Speedway Motors is continually looking for new ways to help do-it-yourself rodders accomplish their goals. One of Speedway’s latest innovations is a bolt-in front crossmember assembly that allows the installation of the very popular Mustang II–style independent suspension on ’35-40 Ford cars and ’35-41 Ford half-ton pickups.
Speedway’s new Bolt-In Mustang II Crossmember Kit provides a measure of independence for enthusiasts who may lack strong welding or fabrication skills, but who have no shortage of ambition or desire to turn wrenches and improve the ride, handling, and stance of their fat-fendered Ford. The kit includes a sturdy, professionally TIG-welded new crossmember and interlocking boxing plates that not only facilitate easy installation of the crossmember, but also support the framerails from the inside and spread the load to add critical strength around the front suspension and engine mounts. As an added benefit, the kit’s bolt-on coil spring towers incorporate innovative adjustable upper spring seats, which allow you to fine-tune your car’s ride height up to 2-1/2 inches once the suspension is installed.
With the frame level on jackstands, the front of the framerails are supported using the brace bar supplied in the crossmember kit. (Since this frame was not attached to a body, an extra brace was temporarily tack welded in place at the approximate location of the firewall.) Then the stock front crossmember is removed by grinding off the rivet heads and punching out the rivets.
The end result is a crossmember kit that gives the average enthusiast the ability to install a proven Mustang II–style front suspension using basic hand tools. Installation can easily be completed in a weekend using little more than a socket and wrench set, jackstands, hand drill, tape measure, and a few clamps. No welding or specialized fabrication skills are required.
As you’ll see in the accompanying photos, installation of Speedway’s new crossmember assembly is relatively straightforward. In fact, the most difficult part may be removing the original Ford crossmember, which was factory riveted in place, and repairing any damage to the original framerails. (Speedway will soon offer replacement framerails for rodders who would prefer to start with a cleaner foundation.) The new crossmember assembly is located using existing holes in the frame, making it easy to properly position and align. From there, it’s simply a matter of following the instructions, drilling a few holes, and bolting everything together. Take a look and you’ll see how easy it can be to make a major ride and handling improvement to your fat-fendered Ford. For rodders who prefer to weld, Speedway still offers its popular weld-in style crossmember, and has done so for 20 years.
The crossmember can then be positioned in place. It is aligned using the eight mounting holes in the crossmember and boxing plates. A large C-clamp can be used to support the crossmember while 3/8-inch bolts and nuts are used to temporarily hold it to the boxing plates.
Speedway Motors is making independent front suspension installation easy for fat-fendered Ford owners with its new Bolt-In IFS Crossmember for ’35-40 Fords.
