Quote Originally Posted by randyr View Post
Hey Spikeo, Welcome!!

I just read somewhere that the Jag IRS is around 61" wide from each wheel mounting surface. I know the 41-48 Fords are wider than the 35-40 Fords but I don't remember how much. I have a '58 Ford 9" rear in my 37 Ford sedan that is 57.25". Given the difference in width between the two cars (37 & 48 Fords), I don't think the Jag rearend will give you much of a problem with wheel offset.

Are you going to use the Jag IFS on the front, too? I read a few posts on another forum where they were using both the IFS & IRS in 48 Ford pickups. I think the car & truck frames are different by then but in either case, they said for the Jag suspension to give proper handling & ride, the frame itself must be very stiff & rigid. If that's true, you'll probably need to box the entire 48 chassis and maybe stiffen the X-member some.

I hope somebody comes along soon who has some actual experience with this swap but there's a little bit to chew on for now. Keep us posted. sounds like a fun project!

Randy
yeah thanks for the reply. ill be using the front out of the same jag got virtually complete donor car minus engin/trans which i dont need anyway.

my boss who ive bought them both from has been a rodder for a long time! the 48 has been unfinished for 20 years! he knows of a guy over here who has a 40 coupe with the same rear in it- so he called him at 20 past 6 one morning to ask him! and he said they can be used but thew wheel offset will be different to the narrower jag rears which are used in the earlier model rods.

on the front he said i should be able to fit 5- 5 1/'2'' rims and not have problems hitting the guards lock to lock, i could narrow the crossmember easily enough but since im on a fairly tight budget narrowing the steering rack is not really an option but with the narrow front wheels it will be alright anyway.

im also hoping to put it on 'bags as well later on as they can bolt straight on replacing the coil overs. so im hoping to set it up to sit in the weeds.

as for building the chassis (or frame as you guys say) ill be making a full chassis jig and our laws over here are very strict compared to yours in the states but i prefere to over engineer anyway.

i spose ill find out when i get the jag apart and measure up!