Description

Our famous Bolt-On Pinto Mustang II Crossmember kit for 1941-1948 Chevy Car.

Safety Thru Engineering.
Handmade in the USA.
Exclusive adjustment system.
Interlocking design. Superior strength.
Easy and accurate installation.
Correct geometry.

This custom-made fully bolt-on crossmember kit is based on the Pinto-Mustang II independent front suspension system. Adding this kit to your ride eliminates bump steer and other unpleasant surprises resulting in a safe and enjoyable ride. The crossmember itself lowers your car about 2-4 inches when compared to stock, and with the adjustable upper coil spring pods there is about 2 1/2″ of additional adjustment possible to further fine tune your setup, providing the best method available to get the correct height geometry. Center support rods provide additional strength to the lower strut rod mount, and the interlocking tabs between upper pods and lower crossmember prevent movement.

Safety thru Engineering: This fully bolt-on crossmember uses Pinto-Mustang II based suspension components. Using our 50+ years of expertise and experience, we have engineered this system to provide your classic ride with a suspension that is far superior to that of the original Mustang II in safety, strength, handling and performance.

Interlocking design: The main bolt-on crossmember cradles the frame for strength far superior to weld-on crossmembers. Chevy frames are too thin to weld on safely and very frequently crack near the weld. Adjustment System: Our exclusive ride height adjustment system enables about 2 1/2″ of adjustable height at the coil spring pods, providing the best method for correct ride height geometry or to fine-tune your ride. Note: The adjustment system provides a quick and easy way to correct the driving geometry of your ride. The crossmember itself will lower your ride 2-4 inches from stock. It is important to keep the lower A-arms level. Our adjustment system allows you to set up the suspension correctly and then adjust as needed as the car settles.

Easy and accurate installation: Build using the highest quality standards, our independent front suspension is easy to install. The unique bolt-on system can be mounted safely and securely, and with the included instructions, installation of the crossmember is just a matter of following a couple of steps. The super-accurate fixtures we use when building your crossmember ensure a perfect fit.

Recommended parts: Complete hub-to-hub component package, IF-7480TWP (power rack version) or IF-7480TWM (manual rack version), when combined with this crossmember, builds a complete front end. Kit includes new custom made upper and full lower control arms, spindles with nuts, caliper bracket kit, 11″ rotors, calipers with pads and pins, coil springs, manual rack and pinion, rack bushings, tie rod ends and shocks. The full lower control arms eliminate the need for support rods.

Complete hub-to-hub component package, IF-7480HHP (power rack version) or IF-7480HHM (manual rack version), when combined with this crossmember builds a complete front end. Kit includes new custom made upper and lower control arms, strut rods with bushings, spindles with nuts, caliper bracket kit, 11″ rotors, calipers with pads and pins, coil springs, manual rack and pinion, rack bushings, tie rod ends and shocks.

To fine-tune our ride height adjustment system easily, consider our custom IFS wrench. Set-up rods that temporarily replace the shocks and springs for an easy way to set the correct ride height during the build. Radiator Support AU-2255 makes a great compliment to this Chevy IFS. For use with a small block engine, we recommend using 325lb coil springs, but others are available as well.

Installation Instructions for Bolt On 1974 & up Pinto Mustang IFS for 1941-1948 Chevy Car Step

1. Unbolt and remove the original front crossmember. Straighten the frame lips where the new crossmember and strut rods will sit. Remove any rivet heads that may interfere with fitting. Grind the rivet heads flush with the frame.

Step 2. Clamp new lower crossmember in place using the for 3/8″ holes that match the original crossmember holes. Steering mounts on the crossmember go to the front. Install the four bolts and tighten.

Step 3. Place coil spring pods over frame and line up with the lower crossmember. The pods will only fit one way (taller side to the front) Clamp in place, then check for clearances between frame and new parts. Correct any interference found. Fit the coil spring pod over the frame and crossmember, and install the bolts loosely until all parts are lined up properly.   At this point, we recommend that you check for tire centering. To do this, assemble an A-arm and spindle on one side, without a spring, and installing a wheel. Visually check for centering. In the event of a miss (unlikely), the crossmember can be moded a bit (up to 1/2″). Wheel centering is normally not a problem, but it is always better to check.

Step 4. Drill the eight vertial holes through the frame lips using the crossmember as a drill guide. Ream the drill into the spring pod to line up holes if needed. Then install and tighten the bolts.

Step 5. Drill side holes (8 total, inside and outside) through the coil spring pods and the new crossmember. Install the bolts. The crossmember, frame and the pods should not be firmly attached to each other.

Step 6. Strut rod brackets are next. Put the brackets in place under the frame and insert a bolt in the center brace to crossmember tube. Now fit the bracket to the frame and locate the point that the bracket fits the frame best. Do both sides. Compare the measurements and make them both the same. Brackets will fit the frame exactly only if the frame is straight and the mounting surface is flat.

Step 7. Drill through strut brackets and frame lips, keeping bracket in alignment. Install the bolts.

Step 8. Install components from 1974-1980 Pinto or 1974-1978 Mustang II to complete installation. Manual steering is recommended. Use Pinto strut rods, not Mustang strut rods. Use a new strut rod bushing set. See Ford or Front End manuals for installation instructions covering A-arm, Strut Rods, Springs, Shocks and line up specs.

Step 9. Cut your original coil springs to 12″ height, or order properly rated and sized Chassis Engineering coil springs. We have coil springs available in 25 lb. increments. For questions, just give us (or your dealer) a call.

Step 10. To adjust height, first take all weight off the springs. This means jacking the front wheels off the ground and possibly unhooking the shocks. Caution: To prevent injury, be sure to use jack stands to support the car any time you maybe working under it ! Loosen 1/4″ locking set screw and turn height adjuster to new position. The adjustment can be used to lower or raise the car, but is intended to compensate  for different springs. For correct geometry, the lower A-arm should be parallel to the ground. Line up groove in threads and retighten locking set screw.

Step 11. The final step, after height adjustment is to have the front end aligned to Pinto specs. Once a fresh car with a new I.F.S. gets some good road miles, it may become necessary to once again adjust the I.F.S. spring pods due to normal settling of the new front coil springs. The lower control arms must maintain a “parallel to the ground” stance for good geometry and prolonged ball joint life. When making such an adjustment, remember to loosen the set screw and add a little anti-sieze compount before turning down the spring adjuster. Please note the precision-milled I.F.S. adjustment wrench (IF-0000W). Removing the shock and use of a spring compressor will also aid in this procedure. Re-install shock and tighten set screw.

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including nickel and urethane, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.  For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.