1953-56 Ford F100 - Mustang II Front Susp Kit, Stock Spring

• Complete Mustang II independent front suspension kit system
• Converts your 1953-1956 F100 Ford’s straight axle to IFS
• Independent front suspension kit includes control arms, springs, shocks, and more
• Utilizes stronger tubular steel upper and strutless lower control arms
• Choice of eight coil spring rates with black painted non-adjustable shocks
• Available with manual or power rack-and-pinion steering systems with tie-rod ends
• Updated 11-inch disc brakes use popular GM Metric single piston calipers
• Cast iron vented rotor features standard Ford 5x4.5-inch wheel bolt pattern
• Forged steel Mustang II spindle options include stock height or 2-inch drop height
• Typical front-end drops of up to four inches can be had with stock height spindle
• Typical front-end drops of up to six inches can be had with 2-inch drop spindle
• Includes application specific weld-in Mustang II IFS crossmember
• Welding is also required for lower control arm gussets to crossmember

Why Convert to Mustang II Suspension?

It has been over 50 years since hot rodders stumbled across the second-generation Mustang’s independent front suspension (IFS) crossmember and its compact design that would fit easily in pre-war hot rods. The famed 1974-1978 Mustang II front end has been swapped into countless thousands of hot rods and muscle cars over the decades due to its compact size, ease of alignment, and the ability to upgrade to disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering all at once. However, the supply of original Mustang II suspension crossmembers you would find in a salvage yard have long dried up and are often not the correct width for wider applications like trucks and muscle cars.

Thankfully, the aftermarket, including Speedway Motors, has answered enthusiast’s needs with brand new application specific weld-in crossmembers to allow enthusiasts to convert hot rods, pickups, and muscle cars over to the famed Mustang II front suspension. We make things easy for your Mustang II front suspension project by offering complete Mustang II IFS kit systems designed to work together to provide the best handling for your intended purpose and budget. We kit these Mustang II front suspension and braking components with our application specific crossmember and all the small bits that are often missed (which can create frustration and additional wait time as you must place additional parts orders), including hardware, spacers, and more.

Our 1953-1956 F100 Weld-In Mustang II Crossmember Makes It Easy

As we stated above, the original Mustang II crossmember is all but obsolete these days, but that doesn’t mean upgrading to a Mustang II-style IFS isn’t still a viable option in today’s market. While there are budget suspension options at one end and super high-end suspension options at the opposite end, the Mustang II IFS continues to be a great solution for those looking for better handling and braking for a cruiser or even light duty track use. Our 1953-1956 F100 crossmember included in this kit is crafted from strong 7-gauge steel, fully welded, and the welds already ground smooth for you. It is precisely designed, fabricated, and welded to fit the contours of your 1953-1956 F100 pickup’s frame. This easily allows you to upgrade that outdated solid front axle and leaf spring setup with its sloppy kingpins, manual drum brakes, and manual steering for precise rack-and-pinion steering, forged spindles, disc brakes, and more!

Mustang II Tubular Control Arms Provide Strength with Great Looks

The original Mustang II control arms were stamped steel units with the lower using a rear mounted strut rod for location control. While these are still an option, most enthusiasts prefer upgrading to tubular control arms. These tubular steel arms provide better handling and appearance, while eliminating the OEM lower control arm strut rod support for additional tire clearance. These control arms are made from strong 1-inch OD tubing with a .120-inch wall thickness. They are designed to use a stock-style coil spring and shock absorber. We include black painted 13.50-inch free height coil springs (available in eight spring rates to suit your vehicle’s front-end weight and ride height needs) and black painted fixed rate twin tube gas shocks. These springs will require trimming to achieve your desired ride height (which will vary by vehicle weight and options).

Expect about up to a 4-inch drop with the stock height spindle, and up to a 6-inch drop if you choose the drop spindle option. A set of our Mustang II ride height adjusters can provide up to an additional 1.50 inches of adjustment if needed. We do offer dop-in chrome springs if you prefer, or you can always step up to our F100 Mustang II kit with coilover shocks with a wider range of adjustability. The rest of the kit features 11-inch disc brakes, forged spindles in either stock height or 2-inch drop design, and your choice of manual or power rack-and-pinion steering assembly.

Spindles, Brakes, and Steering Round Out Your Mustang II IFS Kit

Our forged and heat-treated spindles provide a strong foundation for your Mustang II’s brakes, wheels, and tires versus cast spindles. The spindle is available in a stock pin height or 2-inch drop version, both of which retains factory suspension geometry and are fully machined for use with stock inner and outer wheel bearings, OEM-spec brake caliper (or caliper adapter bracket) and maintains the factory 7-degree ball joint and tie-rod end taper for true bolt on ease. These spindles work together with our 11-inch disc brake kit that features Ford Granada-style vented disc brake rotors with Ford small car wheel bolt pattern (5 on 4.5-inch) and GM Metric single piston calipers to create an affordable, yet effective brake system for your vehicle. We even include the brake pads and hoses to connect to your frame’s hard line.

Obviously, one of the key benefits of converting to a Mustang 2 front suspension kit is the upgrade to the precise control of rack-and-pinion steering from your old OEM frame mounted steering gear box. Rack-and-pinion steering provides better road feel, quicker turn-in, lower weight, and better packaging for engine swaps. While some prefer the simplicity of a manual rack for its bolt-in and go ability, we don’t force you to do so, as you have the option of either a manual rack or a power rack, both built with all new housing and internal components, and includes mounting bushings and outer tie-rod ends to connect your rack of choice to your spindles. We even include the necessary rack extensions for this wider Mustang II crossmember application. Simply pick up the necessary steering shafts and joints to connect the rack to your steering column.

Our application specific F100 Mustang 2 front end with crossmember makes it easy to upgrade your F100 project’s straight axle with standard steering box to make room for engine swaps, better ride and handling, improved braking, and more. DIY-type installation can be accomplished easily in the home garage with the right tools and a competent welder, providing you with years of safer and more predictable driving that will make it fun to be behind the wheel of your ride once again.

Tie rod extensions are required (91034345).

Front Disc Brake Installation Instructions (PDF)

Tubular Upper Control Arm Instructions (PDF)

Tubular Lower Control Arm Instructions (PDF)

Spindle Instructions (PDF)

Rack Installation Instructions (PDF)

Spring Rate Chart (Link)

Deluxe Crossmember Instructions (PDF)

Included in the Kit:

• 91034425 - 1953–56 F-100 Mustang II IFS crossmember
• 91034345 - 2" inner tie rod extensions (required on wider truck frames)
• 91034307 - Mustang II stock-height steel spindles (Stock option)
• 91034304 - Mustang II drop-height steel spindles (2" dropped option)
• 91032118 - Stock style twin-tube fixed rate gas shocks
• 917230 - Mustang II stock style coil springs (rate varies by selection)
• 91035334 - Mustang II tubular lower A-arms for stock springs, no strut rod
• 91035320 - Mustang II tubular upper control arms, stock width
• 91034310-2 - Upper control arm T-bolts
• 91034323-2 - 9/16" thick hardened washers (castle nut/cotter pin alignment on tubular lowers)
• 91034340 - Mustang II rack-and-pinion (manual or power option)
• 91034341 - Rack and pinion mounting bushings
• 91034342-2 - Rack and pinion bolt kit (no rack spacers)
• 91034342-3 - Rack and pinion bolt kit (for use with rack spacers)
• 9101023 - Rack spacer, 3/4"
• 91034316 - Mustang II outer tie rod ends
• 91034 - 9/16"-18 fine thread tie rod nuts
• 91034343 - Rubber spring/isolator cushions
• 91631914 - GM metric caliper bracket set for Mustang II spindles
• 91031066 - 11" vented rotors, 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern
• 91031000 - Rotor bearing and seal kit (pair of rotors)
• 910615074 - Spindle nut and washer kit
• 91031045 - GM metric brake calipers (7/16"-20 inlet)
• 9193381 - GM metric soft street brake pads
• 9103141.1 - Front disc brake hardware kit (hoses, crush washers, slide bolts, dust caps, tabs)