Fat Effie Frame - 1961-66 F-100 Custom Frame Article

WEBSITE SPECIAL!

Save $100 by selecting Plain steel TIG welded tubular control arms rather than the standard polished stainless steel arms!

We really like the 67 F100 shop truck we built. This truck works for a living every day running errands and picking up pallets of steel and forged, machined parts. Airride Shockwaves are used along with their excellent LevelPro E control system. We wanted to see how low we could get it, so we added 2in drop spindles too. Our Pro-Link 4 bar is in the back with Shockwaves for support. It sits right no matter how we load it, and it handles so well that we ran it at Airrides track day! Not bad for a work truck.

We have an excellent front suspension system for these Ford trucks that gets rid of the Evil Twin beam axle suspension from the factory. Although a fine deal for hauling bricks, it doesn't adapt well to a sport truck use. In fact, this truck was purchased at the F100 Nats as you see it , except for long shackles in the back and dropped beams up front. It sat OK, but wore tires and handled poorly just like twin beams are known for. It seems like the twin beams have always held these pretty trucks back from custom status. Our weld in kit takes care of that, yet can still be used to haul, as mentioned above. You can choose to use coil springs, coilovers, or Airride along with sway bars and power steering for great control. We can help you get that F100 looking good — on the road as well as the parking lot! A phone call will get you a catalog with a detailed Builder’s Guide showing the actual installation of our IFS for these great F100 trucks.

NEW! for lowering the rear axle of your 65-79 Ford F100....only $579!!

Need an easy way to lower the rear axle of your 1965-79 Ford pickup? This newest design by Fatman Fabrications will drop the truck 5” in the back, using the original axle, without any welding being involved. A special bracket allows the axle to be shifted to the top side of the stock rear leaf springs, and a new pair of proper length shocks are bolted to special axle brackets. The frame rail does need to have clearance cut for the “C” in the frame reinforcement plate, which bolts in place to finish the job, providing vertical clearance for the repositioned axle. Normal weights can still be carried, and this kit won’t weigh down your wallet too much! The kit includes all the fasteners, brackets, and new shocks, all for $579. Add a few hours work bolting this kit in place, and you’ll be riding right!

We havent left the GM Pick up guys out either! These 60-87 trucks come with a pretty decent front suspension stock, especially the disc brake equipped '73 up versions. In fact, the easiest way to upgrade the earlier drum brake versions is to bolt on the '73 up disc spindles (in stock or dropped versions) by using our simple adaptor kit. The '73 up ball joints simply bolt/press right into your early control arms, solving both the parts availability and spindle swap issues. We have machined tubular tie rod connector sleeve kits that adapt the late outer tie rod ends to your inner ends to complete the change. The truth is that the dropped spindles are sold so cheaply in the magazine ads that we don't attempt to supply them. Our tie rod adaptor set is will handle the hard part for you, and is only $50! The only difficulties with these factory IFS systems have to do with clearance issues for wide tires and lowered crossmembers hitting the ground. When the dropped spindles and lowered springs combine for a drop over 4", the lower control arms get dangerously close to the ground.

Our Bolt In IFS kits offer the ideal solution for radically lowered GM pick ups. You will gain 3" of ground clearance while the track width is 2" narrower than stock on each side, allowing for wider wheels and lower stance. The units are actually fabbed on a genuine GM frame section, unbolted, and then shipped to you to bolt back into yours. Tubular upper control arms are included in the basis kit, and MUST be used for enough space to perform proper alignment, but most rodders just opt for the complete Hub to Hub kits. Polished stainless steel control arms provide extra flash and are included at the same price as plain steel arms when you buy the complete kits. You can choose different Stages with coil, coilover, or Airride spring options, as well as power steering, 12" × 5" bolt circle brakes, sway bars, and hookup kits to seal the deal. Performance and pretty all in one package! Call for a Builder’s Guide for more details on building these fine trucks!