Another Ford

[lowbudget50]

Like I needed something else to do. Here it is anyway, 56 Ford I went with a buddy to look at a couple months ago. It has a crown Victoria front clip and a 9 in with a four link out back. When we went and looked at the truck I questioned the guys on why they used a crown Vic front end and they told me it's the cat's meow. I tried to explain to him that it was too wide for the front clip but they did not want to agree with me. Long story short my buddy bought the truck got a screaming deal on it. It is now at my shop and I am cutting all of the crown Victoria stuff out from underneath of it and we are installing a team321 narrowed crown Vic crossmember which replaces the aluminum section that bolts in but reuses factory control arms. I think we got some different coilovers that are adjustable and a bigger sway bar. Pretty cool setup very well built. This is going to be a street rat truck like I love to build. 289 c4 combo, we are going to have the frame powder coated some matching accent color as the wheels and possibly the grill. Come along for another project inside the minter Fab shop

I would upload more pictures but I randomly get told that I have a security token missing and it won't let me upload anymore. I will try it again later

[dowoplover]

I,m all over this one. My favorite body style. BTW it's a 53-55 (slant A pillar).

[lowbudget50]

Originally Posted by dowoplover

I,m all over this one. My favorite body style. BTW it's a 53-55 (slant A pillar).

Glad to see someone's excited about this. I think it's the ugliest truck ever made LOL. It will be a good looking truck when it's done. Hopefully this one moves pretty quickly. My buddy's dad actually has terminal cancer and we are trying to get this truck done so him and his dad can go do some cruising. Stay tuned

[Bamamav]

I love the 53-56 Effies!

As to the Crown Vic clip…
While the fact it bolts in is good for a quick and easy swap, they are too wide for even 70’s model trucks and you have to run those ugly flat no dish wheels or they stick out of the fenders. The problem most folks run into trying to narrow them is the steering rack, but it sounds like you have found someone that has something that will work.

My late neighbor had a 56 with a 289 and a 4 speed, it was a ball to drive!

[lowbudget50]

Originally Posted by Bamamav

I love the 53-56 Effies!

As to the Crown Vic clip…
While the fact it bolts in is good for a quick and easy swap, they are too wide for even 70’s model trucks and you have to run those ugly flat no dish wheels or they stick out of the fenders. The problem most folks run into trying to narrow them is the steering rack, but it sounds like you have found someone that has something that will work.

My late neighbor had a 56 with a 289 and a 4 speed, it was a ball to drive!

Yes, it runs a fox body rack I believe. I will double check that info!
I looked into crown Vic swaps when I did that 65. It was a no go. To wide!!

(1996 Lincoln mark 8 rack)

[MercuryMac]

Yes, Plover is right, it's a 53-55 cab. They can be made to look pretty good, almost as good as a 56. I'll be watching.

[lowbudget50]

First off I'd like to apologize it is not a 56 it is a 53. I don't know my Ford's, I should cuz that's all I work on. That being said it now has a narrow crown Vic front end underneath of it. I've got the crossmember All welded in. Now I can start disassembling the original crossmember and taking off of it what we are reusing so I can start reassembly

[zzrodder]

Cool project! Didn't know there was a narrow crossmember kit for the Crown Vic, I've seen guys who have cut and narrowed the aluminum crossmember, but this is a better option. - Nice welds BTW, my hand isn't that steady (I'm always grinding the boogers off before I take pics )

[lowbudget50]

Originally Posted by zzrodder

Cool project! Didn't know there was a narrow crossmember kit for the Crown Vic, I've seen guys who have cut and narrowed the aluminum crossmember, but this is a better option. - Nice welds BTW, my hand isn't that steady (I'm always grinding the boogers off before I take pics )

Thanks zz!

Team 321 is the company that build these cross members. They make a couple different ones for a couple different year trucks. Way better option than cutting that monstrosity of an aluminum piece down and rewelding it

[BillM]

I'd like to second ZZ's comment - nice welds LB.