Should I use my truck for a hat-car?

So, I've had this truck for forever.  I'll keep it for forever.  However, the front suspension vexes me.  The Twin I-Beam suspension is very robust, unfortunately while it is robust it handles like crap.  Its a truck so its never going to handle decently, but I'd like it to do something somewhat predictable when I throw it into a corner.

I've also wanted to build a hat-car for a while, the goal was a 70s F-series body, Panther chassis, LS 4.9 motor for Challenge fun.  

Now that I'm driving a Miata for a daily, I wonder if I want to move the hat-car project to my truck?  I would lose a lot of towing ability, but being a base base model it doesn't have much to begin with (enough to pull my Mustang across the country when needed.)

Let's BS about it.

I don't hate that idea. Aluminum crown vic stuff front and back, tasteful billet wheels to channel the 90s sport truck vibe, crown vic hvac system anddash, big power six and a five speed....

No reason a Panther chassis can't still tow 5k lbs. I say go for it

In reply to gumby :

Oh really?  Looks like the max for the later models is 1500lbs?

Can't sell trucks when your fullsize sedan can tow. How do we apply factory tow ratings to a modified vehicle anyhow?

Fair.

I also wonder if I'd be happy with just a 2/4 drop?  It would mean new beams up front.
Edit: seems like they only have 3/5" drops out there.  Feels a bit low to me, though.

Put the Panther front suspension, or clip, on the truck frame.  Adapt truck rear leaf springs to gain approved ride height while maintaining the towing capacity.

In reply to Streetwiseguy :

SWG and Gumby both nailed it. 
Ford lowered to tow rating about the time they went eith better frame, better front suspension and watts link rear. While prolly not better, definitely not worse! 
I recently towed a 4400 lb (as loaded) camper home from va... did have proper eq hitch, and other than mpg hit, hardly knew it was back there. Bought a trailer brake controller, but stopped well enough I didn't bother. 

But, my advice would be bolt to 03 and up front aluminum suspension in, and roll on. 

Chassis swaps are surprisingly challenging to do well. 

Getting the body perched on the new chassis is easy enough, but in order to make it a thing you want to drive all the time, requires a bit more time and effort.

Made a good tow pig, for that. 
So, towing is fine

But stock frame, Panther front, maybe T-bird independent rear. Or leave stock truck rear and adjust height to suit, is still my vote.
 

Does yours have the standard ford truck 5 on 5 1/2? I've seen a few early '80s with 5 on 4 1/2!

I don't understand the question?

The only logical answer whenever a hat car is involved is YES, especially so when it will bring new life to that truck that has accompanied you through so many adventures.

am I the only guy here who has no idea WTF a "hat car" is?

Yes, what is a "hat car". I have never heard that term. 

I had also never heard the term used, but knew he wanted to put a 70s ford on a Panther chassis, so I was able to figure out it meant "like wearing a different hat"

Strange way to refer to a chassis swap, to me, but  -  ok. 

LanEvo said:

am I the only guy here who has no idea WTF a "hat car" is?

I came here to ask the same question. I've been modifying cars for almost 25 years and I've literally never heard that term before.

LanEvo said:

am I the only guy here who has no idea WTF a "hat car" is?

I have used dropped I beams before and been pleased.

My recipe is DJM Dream Beams front, flip kit rear and go on with life. Use good shocks That gets you about a 3/5 and you're done in a weekend. I have driven 4/6 dropped trucks for about 30 years now and think it's completely reasonable so a 3/5 is nothing to be scared of. Let me put it this way, my wife is vehicle clueless. I can put her in a 4/6 dropped truck and send her anywhere and not worry that she's going to get into trouble or hurt the truck. It sits no lower than a Kia or something.

The reason I offer this viewpoint is that quick weekend jobs with proven parts are enjoyable and you don't end up with a giant project spread all over the place and ebbing interest level.

OR..... F100 Suspension Kits | QA1

While its not a direct fit....trucks are getting popular and the newer model stuff is coming.

Direct fit for your truck will be here soon from Innovaspeed LLC – Engineered for Enjoyment

Asphalt_Gundam said:

Direct fit for your truck will be here soon from Innovaspeed LLC – Engineered for Enjoyment

As soon as I see heim joints used in a suspension meant for the street, I question the  engineering of the kit. Heim joints are not going to last in an environment where there is grease and grit.

z31maniac said:

LanEvo said:

am I the only guy here who has no idea WTF a "hat car" is?

I came here to ask the same question. I've been modifying cars for almost 25 years and I've literally never heard that term before.

To be fair, I think its a fairly niche term, only found on here.

In reply to Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) :

Thanks, I'll look into them.

Is a dropped twin beam that much better than a not dropped one? It looks better but in the one truck I drove it didn't seem to handle better.

In reply to NOHOME :

Well the Innova Speed kit is signifcantly more "race" than "street" but I get what you're saying. There's also plenty of ways to to convert that heim to bushing. Depending on size/width there may even be bushing'd rod end options that will thread right on.

Paul - The drop I beam isn't a handling upgrade, just lower. I've seen where people still have to bend them just to add some negative camber to even really try to increase handling performance

It's a truck; I like the dropped beams/flipped rear plan, with a side order of fairly stiff springs and the best shocks you can rationalize. "Any suspension can work if you don't let it." (whose phrase am I butchering there?) It may not win any skidpad competitions, but it should be more predictable.

Lowered beams seem like they'd reduce jacking by lowering the instant centers by an amount equal to the drop (Twin I Beam means your pivot IS your instant center). That should help with the predictability?