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Mk2 Suspension Kits - Any use?

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Mk2 Suspension Kits - Any use?

Postby Peetbee » Tue Aug 24, 2021 1:40 pm

Hi All.

I have a 1981 Mk2 Transit with a Cosworth V6 BOA engine - And original brakes and suspension! (I bought it that way) The ride, handling and stopping are "interesting"!!
One thing for sure is that I want to change the front set up to independent with better brakes and antiroll bar, and maybe tinker with the rear at a later date.
There are lots of great post on here from people who have retro fitted Mk3/4/5 IFS. But it seems you have to have the necessary fabrication skills/tools/facilities and alignment tools, or know someone who has. This isn't something I have the equipment or competence to undertake.

I have approached several local independent classic car specialists and customizers ( and even some nation wide ones); No one is prepared to undertake this conversion for a paying customer. Something about the modification potentially affecting the integrity of the shell/crash protection etc. of the vehicle and them being liable, which I totally get. I have even reached out to a US based customizer who will gladly make me a whole new custom chassis starting at $10k and I also have to send them the vehicle!! so no option there.


Then there are these type of bolt on "truck"/"pickup" kits.

https://www.qa1.net/automotive/suspensi ... on-systems
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284195317816
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274295214060

I have approached two of these manufactures to ask if they make up bespoke ones; they don't, as it all about automated volume manufacture. Gap in the market there??
I did see a post somewhere on here ( cant find it now) where someone planned to fit one of these to a MK2 from a Mustang 2 I believe, but the post was 2000's odd and it never concluded, but mentioned Super Van 2 I think?

So...... my questions are:-
1. has anyone used this type of kit?
I'm guessing its easier to "bolt on" a new system, rather than cut your van to pieces to install. This is within my skill set and facilities.

2. Any info as to which US vehicle model might be nearest to the dimension required to fit into a Mk2? (i.e. Mustang, Bronco, F150 etc)
If you cant get a bolt on one directly to fit (id be very surprised if so) you can always modify the kit to suit the MK2 chassis geometry. Again, it will be easier to get a fabricator to add 2mm here or there to the new kit, than cut about the wheel wells and inner wings of your vehicle.

3. Where might I find manufacturing dimensions for the front chassis and cross members, geometry for the Mk 2? I assume the info exists somewhere as they would have be designed, manufactured and assembled on a jig. Failing that, I can always 3D scan it

4. Could anyone suggest a fabricator/engineer/garage/dogsbody who might take on the conversion?

I am not going to race this vehicle, so don't need a MEGA expensive system. A straight swap for a later model would be fine, but is beyond my capabilities as ive said above.

Thanks in advance all.
This forum has saved my bacon many times since joining a few weeks ago. Great knowledgeable people on here; any help would be appreciated.

Pete
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Re: Mk2 Suspension Kits - Any use?

Postby Neil » Tue Aug 24, 2021 9:08 pm

its already modified with the engine swap
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Re: Mk2 Suspension Kits - Any use?

Postby Peetbee » Wed Aug 25, 2021 9:06 am

Hi Neil.
Sorry, perhaps didn't make myself clear.
I have no issue with any modifications, as its has already been modified, as you say.

It's just that I don't have the skills or tools to do it, can't final anyone willing to undertake it and a bolt on kit would make it possible for me to do, of find a garage to do it. A straight weld on kit would be fine too, so long as it uses existing suspension mounts, and chassis points.
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Re: Mk2 Suspension Kits - Any use?

Postby Neil » Thu Aug 26, 2021 7:13 am

what i meant is these garages are telling you they dont want to modify it when it already is, sadly people cant be bothered with an old tranny van even if your paying
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Re: Mk2 Suspension Kits - Any use?

Postby Peetbee » Sat Aug 28, 2021 2:41 pm

I see what you mean. That would explain it.
And yes, that's probably the truth behind it.
Guess they'd rather do simple insurance work on modern cars.
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Re: Mk2 Suspension Kits - Any use?

Postby MinorMatt » Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:32 pm

I'm fairly sure that fitting a mk3 IFS to the body pretty much just needs rear subframe mounts adding to the chassis (not cutting sections out etc) and the steering hooking up.

Mk4/5 conversion is a little more involved, but not that challenging!
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