'95 F-150 track ready street beast

[Sbeck09]

Ok everyone. I really want some input here. There is no right or wrong answer.

I'm so torn. I had a productive call with my dad earlier about fitting this S197 K-memeber. His solution was just build my own. Still use the spindles and rack that I have now, but all the rest would be made by yours truly. His logic was that the tubular K-member swap on every generation of mustang is very popular for a reason. It's shown to be lighter and stronger. He feels it would be better fit and stronger plus look cleaner for my purposes. I'm at the point where I haven't welded anything in yet. If I'm gonna change, now is a good time.



Don't pass this boys. Drop your thoughts. I need ya.

[Project Bike Truck]

Ok everyone. I really want some input here. There is no right or wrong answer.

I'm so torn. I had a productive call with my dad earlier about fitting this S197 K-memeber. His solution was just build my own. Still use the spindles and rack that I have now, but all the rest would be made by yours truly. His logic was that the tubular K-member swap on every generation of mustang is very popular for a reason. It's shown to be lighter and stronger. He feels it would be better fit and stronger plus look cleaner for my purposes. I'm at the point where I haven't welded anything in yet. If I'm gonna change, now is a good time.

Don't pass this boys. Drop your thoughts. I need ya.

I am a big fan of building cool stuff yourself and making stuff work the way you want. If you see my build I am also a big fan of modifying other peoples stuff and making it work. That being said i would make your own and use the aformentioned parts and make it work for you, it would be pretty trick and stll use off the shelf parts. Start cutting!

[Sbeck09]

Hey Sean...have you given any more thought into getting a copy of Performance Trends and messing with it? I would think it would be a big help in getting all of the steering geometry optimized if you do decide to start from scratch.

Yes it's been on my mind since we talked. This is a crazy week of course, but next week I'm on vacation so I plan to dig into it more. Thanks for putting that in front of me!

I am a big fan of building cool stuff yourself and making stuff work the way you want. If you see my build I am also a big fan of modifying other peoples stuff and making it work. That being said i would make your own and use the aformentioned parts and make it work for you, it would be pretty trick and stll use off the shelf parts. Start cutting!

I'm really learning to like your thinking. Haha. It would seem to keep the wear components easy to source and repair just like I want. Maybe I'll make a PVC model for mock up just to see how it would all fit together for cheap. Any tips/pointers in this area? I liked your mock-up wheel stands btw.

I was looking last night and I really dig the design of the Griggs Racing GR40 setup for S197s. I think I'll use a number of his ideas if I really do this. Keep the input coming!

[Project Bike Truck]

Yes it's been on my mind since we talked. This is a crazy week of course, but next week I'm on vacation so I plan to dig into it more. Thanks for putting that in front of me!



I'm really learning to like your thinking. Haha. It would seem to keep the wear components easy to source and repair just like I want. Maybe I'll make a PVC model for mock up just to see how it would all fit together for cheap. Any tips/pointers in this area? I liked your mock-up wheel stands btw.

I was looking last night and I really dig the design of the Griggs Racing GR40 setup for S197s. I think I'll use a number of his ideas if I really do this. Keep the input coming!

If making a mock-up helps you then do it. there are some things I like about adapting other stuff to your project. but making your own can be stronger or take into account things they didnt. Are you going for massive set back? Setting pinion angle? custom mounts? Steering interferance and so on and so on.

[Sbeck09]

If making a mock-up helps you then do it. there are some things I like about adapting other stuff to your project. but making your own can be stronger or take into account things they didnt. Are you going for massive set back? Setting pinion angle? custom mounts? Steering interferance and so on and so on.

I am a very visual person and I've done most of my fabrication by eye over the years. I'm learning to better utilize computer programs and more accurate measuring tools though. In this instance I know that every measurement is critical to functionality.

As for the goals, the engine is already totally behind the axle from the factory so I'll be maintaining that with all new mounts to the frame. The biggest hurdle I seem to have to cross here is how low I want the end result. I'm shooting for around C10R low. Only catch is that I'm not doing a custom frame like they did. Basically this K-member only has to set my suspension points and span between the frame rails. I'm taking careful time to make sure that everything functions properly (bump steer, roll center, camber/caster, etc.). That's all why my original idea was the use this oem piece, but I never expected the have to hack it apart so much. So here we are.

Is that what you were asking?

[Project Bike Truck]

I am a very visual person and I've done most of my fabrication by eye over the years. I'm learning to better utilize computer programs and more accurate measuring tools though. In this instance I know that every measurement is critical to functionality.

As for the goals, the engine is already totally behind the axle from the factory so I'll be maintaining that with all new mounts to the frame. The biggest hurdle I seem to have to cross here is how low I want the end result. I'm shooting for around C10R low. Only catch is that I'm not doing a custom frame like they did. Basically this K-member only has to set my suspension points and span between the frame rails. I'm taking careful time to make sure that everything functions properly (bump steer, roll center, camber/caster, etc.). That's all why my original idea was the use this oem piece, but I never expected the have to hack it apart so much. So here we are.

Is that what you were asking?

Yep that’s what I was asking. If you have goon that far (farther than I ever have) then no reason to not make it yourself.

Your mission has been decided no go forward and start making sparks!