Longer, Lower Wider Ford Jailbar Touring Project

[charliebob]

It is not intended for racing, but just to give some added strength and safety to old sheetmetal that has been sliced both ways and welded. I also put some side impact bars inside the doors.



Thanks, Vimes, for expressing concern.

[charliebob]

A few years ago at pull-a-part I came across an aluminum bumper from an Audi. Someone had removed the bumper cover, etc, and the bumper was just laying on the ground begging for a project. I snatched it up, and have now adapted it to the jailbar. It will be behind the grille, but should provide some safety and protection.

[Vimes]

It is not intended for racing, but just to give some added strength and safety to old sheetmetal that has been sliced both ways and welded. I also put some side impact bars inside the doors.

Thanks, Vimes, for expressing concern.

Heh heh, actually was saying I like it, because it didn't require crawling into a mass of tubing to get in. Asking about legality was just me being curious if something like that was meeting any organization's racing regs. That bumper looks good on there too.

[ProTouringMan]

Very unique build. Can you tell us more about the 3UZ engine choice? Is the crown vic front suspension used for it's compactness, lightness, both, or something else?

[charliebob]

Very unique build. Can you tell us more about the 3UZ engine choice? Is the crown vic front suspension used for it's compactness, lightness, both, or something else?

My 3UZ is a JDM, but in the US they come in Lexus LS430 and GS430. Mine is a 6 speed, with paddle shifter.

Obviously I don't have any brand loyalty--my loyalty is for good parts that are cheap--but the Jailbar keeps begging for a Coyote engine. About 5,000 reasons have kept me from keeping it Ford. Dollars that is!

Putting a Toyota engine in an old Ford is blasphemy to many; to me it is a just a super reliable, light, all aluminum engine with 300+ hp. And Toyota V8 engines are now made right here in Alabama!

The 03-10 Crown Vic front suspension is very popular for swaps into F100s. Compact, light, good geometry, independent, rack & pinion steering, and fairly big disc brakes all in one neat package. It is too wide for the older trucks, but fits my widened jailbar.

[charliebob]

Sprayed epoxy primer on cab and doors so I don't have to worry about rust. Frame is up next.

[Motown 454]

It looks good all one color!

[charliebob]

U-POL Raptor bed liner as an undercoating

[Peanut1959]

I've debated how to weatherproof my Lark's underside when I build it. This seems like a good solution.

[charliebob]

I've debated how to weatherproof my Lark's underside when I build it. This seems like a good solution.

Raptor liner is really easy to use, and has held up very well in my El Camino bed.

I will also apply it to the undersides of fenders to cut down on noise and to keep rocks from chipping paint on the topside.

Seam sealer can be applied under the Raptor liner.

Like those Larks!

[Motown 454]

I like the raptor liner , wish I had used it on mine. Nice job.

[charliebob]

Took a break from sheetmetal bashing and painting to make a relay and fuse panel fitted underneath the passenger seat, with an aluminum protective cover. The black box is a 1980-90s chevy truck underhood fuse box, rewired. Wiring for engine is separate.

[Motown 454]

It looks great nice and neat.

[wfo guy]

Looks good.

[charliebob]

Thanks guys

[charliebob]

To get adjustability in ride height and spring rate, I converted the CV front shocks/struts to coilovers using aftermarket sleeves (had the parts leftover from a earlier project). The upper CV mount has a round flange that fits inside the CV spring but will not fit the 2.5" ID coil spring. So the CV flange was removed and replaced with a flange that fits outside the 2.5" ID spring.

A new flange on the upper mount is the only metal fabrication required. Bushings are all stock CV.

[charliebob]

Fuel tank mounted.

[dhutton]

Awesome build.

Don

[charliebob]

Awesome build.

Don

Thanks, Don. Lots of work left to do.

[TANKMASTERJ]

Progress was paused on sheetmetal bashing so that I could build a frame. To keep things simple with readily available parts, I used a Crown Vic front suspension and a 9" Ford rear with triangulated 4-link. I'm using coil overs on the rear, with overload air bags (not in pic) in case I want to haul heavy loads.

Front and rear frame stubs will be added later. The driveshaft hoop looks clunky, but made strong because this is where frame twisting forces are centered. An additional hoop will be added toward the front of the driveshaft.

Now I can mount the cab and get back to sheetmetal work.

The crown vic front goods look like it was factory dreamed up to go there. Awesome work. I'm digging the wide old ford and subscribed.
Tankmasterj