Slick 60's

I figured I would post an update on my dakota install. All is going good right now and moving along fairly fast. See pics below.

Looking good!

Looking good, but isn't the passenger side going to haave some allignment problems?

Looks good. How much do you plan to have into this whole front end when it's COMPLETE? Around the same amount as a MII do you think? Have you done a IFS kit like this before?

Looking good, interested in what all it takes to do this. Maybe someday I will be able to do it.

All it takes to install this kit is a welder, grinder, blood and sweet. It is really easy the kit comes with step by step directions.

The good thing I only make left hand turns so I don't have to assemble the right side... <--- that's For your comment 61 Merc...

Shawn F -- I plan on having about $1200 invested when completed. I am replacing bushing, tie rods, ball joints, breaks, calerpers and rotors. I am also going to install the sway bar. This is the first kit I have finished (soon to be finished). I am doing a mustang II kit on my Torino but havn't gotten very far with it because of the other things I'm doing to that car.

I can't wait to drive my truck after all is complete Hopefully by august everything will be completed all depends on if I do the FI conversion at the same time..

I hope to join the Dakota club this fall. I have the crossmember, just need to put it in.

Steve and Garbz make a realy nice product. I am planning on $1500 for my install. But the great thing is, it will all be stock parts. So no high $ custom parts if (when) I brake something.

Looks good!

(Whooo Hooo I am in the 500 club!!)

You say it comes in a kit, where would one find this kit in the future to do something like this? THanks

stellj wrote:You say it comes in a kit, where would one find this kit in the future to do something like this? THanks

http://www.industrialchassisinc.com/ICMenu.swf

Steve and Dave will take good care of you.

Not a great fabricator by any means here so I am going to ask. Currently I have a 302 and some homemade mounts (looks like from PO) but one is cracked. If I woud buy just the cross member and installed the rest from junk yard (jackpot yard) how would I go about installing motor mounts. The ones I have seen for a 302 into a 64 f-100 bolt onto the frame. Would there be any issues with positioning this and engine mounts? Thanks.

All you would need to let us know is the engine. If wanted we provide custom mounts specifically for the Dakota crossmember for just about every motor out there.

They are really trick looking tubular units.

Garbz

1200 bucks huh? That is cheap, maybe I can do mine for that much! Only thing is all the work it will take to do it and the time since it's like my daily driver and the most I can have it apart for is about 3 weeks. I'd like to do a MII or Dakota (haven't made my mind up yet) so that way I can lower my 66 about 5 or 6 inches and later on put airbags onto it. Or just save and throw on some airbags at the same time I am putting it on.

Shawn maybe you haven't noticed but this is not M2 fan central around here.

Garbz, or Steve, does the Dakota conversion add or reduce the total weight of the truck?

JC not Fan Central for M-II's . . .?

Isn't an M2 some sort of a "Rice Racket" made by To~da or something.

But Seriously folks, M-II IFS was a stretch from "Beaner Cars" into those M-II's, but from a M-II to under a Slick That's pure sacrilage,
or a mortal sin of some kind. I know, I know, people do it, but that doesn't change the fact it's a bad Idea in mathematical terms.
I can't see me running 3 digit speeds under 13 seconds with a M-II IFS & me still in the truck. Just not gonna happen.

If I put an M-II under my 66 it will be because I ran over it accidently.

FBp

The Dakota crossmember and hats weighs around 70 pounds. on a 61 to 64 once the center crossmember is out? might add a few pounds. The a arms and rack should equal out a solid axle.

On 65 to 79 it will shave a crapload of weight off the front end.

Garbz

PS i just scrounged up for the 63 uni the entire front end including master, prop valve A arms spindles springs and hubs rotors calipers for 200 bucks.

Thanks Garbz, will look into this more a little later for sure. I am definately interested in this conversion. Currently doing body work on whole truck, after I get the body done I will be heavy into the mechanics. I currently have a 302/C-4 set up but not sure if that is what I want to stick with. So as soon as I finish body work and figure out engine size I will get with you. Thanks again.

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is the conversion for? I have my engine out and the hood and fenders off as well. Is this something that I should consider while all of this is off my truck. I have a 66 f100 stepside cc

Goonie. Typically, the Mustang 2/aerostar/Volare/Camaro/Dakota front clips are used on a former straight axle (61-64)truck to
a) gain you disc brakes
b) gain you power steering
c) gain independent movement of the front wheels, which saves you heading for the ditch on washboard roads or train tracks etc.

one more benefit many of them have, is to lower the front ride height of the truck, which is a desirable thing to many.

The twin I beam system on a 65/66 is not going to gain any ride benefit from installing an independent suspension in place of another independent suspension, A disc brake/ power steering swap to a newer Twin I beam truck is relatively simple too, compared to a whole front clip swap.

The one thing it is difficult to do with the twin I is drop the ride height. So that would be your only reason for doing this on a twin I beam truck, like yours.

I get it now. Thanks. I would like to lower my ride by about 2 inches. If I'm not mistaken there is a company that sells a different I-beam setup that lowers your truck...right?