Its important to have...
Its important to have the wheels centered in the wheelwell. Flat Out Engineering found that hot-rodded trucks typically run 25- or 26-inch tires in front and 27- to 29-inch tires in the rear for a mild rake that most everyone likes. Its best to set the chassis on jackstands (level from side to side) with a rake that will mimic the desired finished rake. Roy Ortega measures 36 1/2 inches from the rear of the chassis for the first bracket. The stock Ford centerline is 36 1/2 inches and in most cases is perfect on 1/2-ton pickups.
The first bracket to be installed...
The first bracket to be installed is the rearmost wing mount. Roy measures 32 inches from the end of the chassis to the center of this bracket. The stock Corvette wing mount with rubber bushing will bolt through this bracket.
The wing bracket is tack-welded...
The wing bracket is tack-welded to allow some partial assembly. If you plan to bolt the brackets to the chassis, wait to drill holes until youre confident that everything will assemble properly. Its best to clamp the brackets temporarily, then square everything up before drilling any holes. Use either the stock Corvette metric bolts or use the bolts in the kit.
A rear crossmember is installed...
A rear crossmember is installed forward of the axle centerlineits location is determined by the position of the folded double-ear bracket and the pinion mounting holes on the Corvette unit. With the Corvette rearend positioned under the chassis on a floor jack, minus the rear spring (which must be removed), the pinion angle is established. Roy tacks the bracket to the framerail once the coilover is bolted in place. Great care should be used in removing the spring as it is under tension. With the coilover bolted in place, Roy tacks the bracket to the framerail. The IRS is squared front to rear and side to side. At the approximate ride height, the pinion angle points up 2 to 3 degrees.
The two marks and the centerline...
The two marks and the centerline of the bracket are lined up 32 inches from the rear of the chassis. As you can see, the paint has been cleared from the framerail so Roy can weld the brackets to the chassis.
Roy measures from the centerline...
Roy measures from the centerline of the axle to find the position for the front bracket that holds the upper and lower control arms. The distance is 10 5/8 inches forward of the axle centerline to the upper left holeas per the instructions.
Roy cross-measures to check...
Roy cross-measures to check the dimensions and the square of the chassis and brackets. Any irregularities need to be addressed now before progressing further. Factors that might make for unequal dimensions are bent or twisted framerails, unequal X-members, or misplaced holes.
The framerails were square...
The framerails were square and the position of the brackets was determined to be correct. The brackets are welded to the framerails. The Corvette forward control arms are bolted to the front brackets.
If tube shocks will be used,...
If tube shocks will be used, a bracket is provided. In this case coilovers are to be used, so a slightly different bracket will be mounted just in front of the axleshafts. Notice also that the third member is securely mounted to the center of the crossmember.
To install the coilovers,...
To install the coilovers, a lower shock mounting bracket is bolted to the forward control arms. Bolts are provided in the kit. The stock lower shock mounting studs need to be removed to accomplish this.
Next, Roy locates the upper...
Next, Roy locates the upper shock mount. With the coilover bolted in place, Roy tacks the bracket to the framerailthe two upper bolt holes are at 3 1/8 and 6 3/8 inches forward of the axle centerline.
The Corvette unit is now in...
The Corvette unit is now in place with the coilovers bolted on and the chassis sitting on the wheels.
The instructions are well...
The instructions are well illustrated, and have plenty of tips to keep you on the right track.
Do you want your F-100 to ride like a truck? Or would you rather it ride like a Corvette? No, this isnt a trick question. Any Ford F-100 owner would like his or her classic to ride and handle better than stock, particularly if it could ride and handle more like a Corvette. The minds at Flat Out Engineering thought the same thing, so they designed a set of brackets and now offer a bolt-in kit to allow F-100 owners to have Corvette IRS and IFS without the concerns of backyard engineering.
There are several obvious advantages to using 84-97 Corvette (C4) mechanicals. These units, when purchased from a salvage yard, are less expensive than many new IRS or IFS units on the market. A Vette IRS can also be less expensive than mounting a Ford 9-inch rearend, after all the individual components are figured into the total costs. Besides offering an improved ride, additional benefits are that your truck will sit lower and thus look better. How much lower will depend on the wheel and tire sizes you choose. Last, but certainly not least: In most cases, its not necessary to narrow any of the stock Corvette components.
A Corvette rearend from 84 to 87 measures 61½ inches from outside to outside the 11-inch brake rotors. Corvette rears from 88 to 97 measure 62½-inches from outside to outside the 13-inch brake rotors. A 16-inch or larger diameter wheel is required on the larger rotor.
The installation procedure is relatively simplejust measure carefully, attach the various brackets, and bolt up the Corvette axle. You have to decide whether or not to use the stock transverse leaf spring; a coilover mount is also available with the kit. The kit consists of three steel brackets on each side (to be bolted or welded to the outside of the framerails) and all the hardware. We were able to photograph the installation of the brackets by Roy Ortega of Cypress Auto Body in Cypress, California. The chassis is from a pickup that has been in the family of Cypress Auto Body owner Tom Rodriguez for decades. Lets take a look at how easy it is to have better handling, a better ride, and a lower stance.