Jaguar XJ6 IFS - A-body swap...
OK guys and gals.... Please put down the pitchforks and torches! :protest:
Before I get started I must mention, I have now done several "updated" front suspension swaps and lots of fabrication like this, so this thought is not without some experience backing it. :)
SO, I am right in the middle of installing a 1986 Jaguar XJ6 IFS in a 1957 Ford F100 truck. So far (about 75% done) it has been such a ridiculously easy swap that I couldn't help but wonder what else it would lend itself to.
Naturally my 69 Valiant which desperately needs disc brakes and a new steering gear came to mind.
SO here are some basics about the XJ XJ12 has a much heavier spring rate for the V12 and is not desirable.
Date range: Something like 1974 all the way through 1998 are donors with little changes among them. I'd need to better confirm that however. I do know that the mid 80's versions are great donors.
Power rack and pinion steering: These of course have metric fittings, but the pump is a standard GM PS pump after about 86 which also has metric fittings. So hoses are not hard to come by as an off the shelf part.
4 piston calipers: Obviously nice to have..
Coil Spring suspension: I am not going to argue about which suspension system is better, but I will say that the amount of coil springs on the market far outweigh the amount of torsion bar options. This will make custom ride height just as adjustable as the torsion bars.
Also, the spring pockets in the Jaguar cradle lend themselves very well to airbags with very little modification if thats you "bag" (pun intended) :tool:
Wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface: 59.5"
Bolt pattern: 5 x 4.75, Typical GM passenger car pattern, so wheel options are huge. But the rotors have plenty of meat to redrill as our mopar patterns too.
Installation: So here is the deal... The Jag cradle has a flat plane that your frame rails sit on (when all is "zeroed out") meaning level (no rake). The width between the Spring towers allows roughly 34" wide frame rails with minor modification.
Factory replacement parts are very available at most parts places. The big, huge, monumental deal............. These cars are DIRT cheap!!!!
Below are a few images of the current install I am doing on the Ford truck.
Anyone have any experience?
All the white painted items are not needed and were cut off.
All cleaned up..
Pre fit... I am well past this now...
OK guys and gals.... Please put down the pitchforks and torches! :protest:
Before I get started I must mention, I have now done several "updated" front suspension swaps and lots of fabrication like this, so this thought is not without some experience backing it. :)
SO, I am right in the middle of installing a 1986 Jaguar XJ6 IFS in a 1957 Ford F100 truck. So far (about 75% done) it has been such a ridiculously easy swap that I couldn't help but wonder what else it would lend itself to.
Naturally my 69 Valiant which desperately needs disc brakes and a new steering gear came to mind.
SO here are some basics about the XJ XJ12 has a much heavier spring rate for the V12 and is not desirable.
Date range: Something like 1974 all the way through 1998 are donors with little changes among them. I'd need to better confirm that however. I do know that the mid 80's versions are great donors.
Power rack and pinion steering: These of course have metric fittings, but the pump is a standard GM PS pump after about 86 which also has metric fittings. So hoses are not hard to come by as an off the shelf part.
4 piston calipers: Obviously nice to have..
Coil Spring suspension: I am not going to argue about which suspension system is better, but I will say that the amount of coil springs on the market far outweigh the amount of torsion bar options. This will make custom ride height just as adjustable as the torsion bars.
Also, the spring pockets in the Jaguar cradle lend themselves very well to airbags with very little modification if thats you "bag" (pun intended) :tool:
Wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface: 59.5"
Bolt pattern: 5 x 4.75, Typical GM passenger car pattern, so wheel options are huge. But the rotors have plenty of meat to redrill as our mopar patterns too.
Installation: So here is the deal... The Jag cradle has a flat plane that your frame rails sit on (when all is "zeroed out") meaning level (no rake). The width between the Spring towers allows roughly 34" wide frame rails with minor modification.
Factory replacement parts are very available at most parts places. The big, huge, monumental deal............. These cars are DIRT cheap!!!!
Below are a few images of the current install I am doing on the Ford truck.
Anyone have any experience?
All the white painted items are not needed and were cut off.
All cleaned up..
Pre fit... I am well past this now...
