Mustang II or dropped I-beams?

[Pirate]

Hello, new guy here....

I am about to purchase either a '70 or '72 long bed F100 2wd. The plan? One I have been collecting parts for, for the last 10-15 years.....I am going to build sort of an early 1960's gasser-look long bed, lowered a bit, halibrand sprint (or lookalikes) front and rear, and maybe even a spun-aluminum gas tank tank somewhere up front. At any rate, I want to lower the front, obviously...my choices are either Mustang II or dropped I-beams.
One problem: I would like to be able to trailer tow a few ATV's with this truck after I drop it...but that will be all the truck ever sees as a load. Is there a MII kit with suitable-strength suspension and brakes that will work? Or am I stuck with I-beams and large-bolt-pattern wheels?

One other note: If a MII kit is suitable, who should I go to? Are there any other kits available? (Volare?)
Any suggestions would be appreciated...

[MadMaxetc]

Industrial Chassis Inc makes a Kit that alowes you to use stock Dodge Dakota 2x4 fron suspention.

I am using this on my '63 F-100.

[layedout72]

you want a gasser look, so your dropping the truck?

[marz68]

dropped i beams are fine if you don't want to go to low.
The Mustang II will put you lower than you might want for the look and style your going for.

[Pirate]

you want a gasser look, so your dropping the truck?

Key words being 'sort of'. Basically, a few touches, I have a 427/454 FE motor that I have been dabbling with, equipped with an old Kinsler-style mechanical fuel injection setup that is being converted to EFI as we speak. It will be ran without a hood, hinges, or front bumper, narrowed rear end and 15x14 Halibrands. I initially wanted the truck to sit like a gasser, however, I wanted highway stability and a lower center of gravity, so I am going in a slightly different direction on ride height. My father owned a 56 chevy 210 2-door, with a straight axle....I hated driving it. Quick car, but a joke to drive around town, it felt like driving an early 40's pickup.
While I am at it, I would like to get away from the I-beam setup, and get into something a little more easy to adjust. The truck I was working on got sideswiped HARD by some uninsured idiot with a diesel pickup (body shop parked it out on the street), so I have been looking at two others, a '70 and '72.

Projected completion date? I don't know at this point. I would like to get something going soon, as the original truck project began in 1989....

[customcrewcab]

i would go with he mustang II. its super light and they have tons of parts for them. the dodge dakota still going to have the big bolt patten. some like you have some real nice parts. i would finish it off with the mustang II . i would 31 spine axles for the back some you can just order the 5 on 4 1/2" for the back.

[MadMaxetc]

89 dakota rotors will give you 5 on 5.5 bolt paturn, just like stock.

[customcrewcab]

quote" Or am I stuck with I-beams and large-bolt-pattern wheels? "
i thought he looking for small bolt pattern

[Mooosman]

Early Dakota is 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern. Later Dakota went to a 6 lug by 4.5" bolt pattern.

No Dodge truck (modern) has used the 5 x 5.5" Ford bolt pattern. Even the fullsize Dodge trucks are either 5x4.5" (pre-85) or 5 x 5" (post-85) pattern.


Nick,
Former Mopar guy!

[customcrewcab]

wheres the motor pics

[texrodder]

Early Dakota is 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern. Later Dakota went to a 6 lug by 4.5" bolt pattern.

No Dodge truck (modern) has used the 5 x 5.5" Ford bolt pattern. Even the fullsize Dodge trucks are either 5x4.5" (pre-85) or 5 x 5" (post-85) pattern.


Nick,
Former Mopar guy!

My wifes 93 bronco has wheels that came off my brothers 96 ram 1500,bolted right on,and i know the bronco is 5x5.5.So the Dodge has to be also?

[Mooosman]

Guess I should have clarified: Fullsize Dodges before 94 had either the 4.5" or 5" pattern.

Dakotas were ALL 4.5" pattern, in 5 or 6 lug.

I guess if what texrodder says is right, then the 94-02 Dodge half tons must be 5 x 5.5" pattern. If so, then more wheel choice for us!

Nick

[Pirate]

I have never seen a straight 5" bolt pattern on any Mopar, only Chevy trucks, and some older Ford cars from the 1970's, oddly enough.

Dodge trucks carried the 5.5" bolt pattern up until 2005 or so, now they have some bizarre Land Rover lookalike pattern, either that, or they still have the same bolt pattern, but use gigantic lug nuts.

[ima71 trucks are older]

Early Dakota is 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern. Later Dakota went to a 6 lug by 4.5" bolt pattern.

No Dodge truck (modern) has used the 5 x 5.5" Ford bolt pattern. Even the fullsize Dodge trucks are either 5x4.5" (pre-85) or 5 x 5" (post-85) pattern.


Nick,
Former Mopar guy!

my old 87 D100 had 5x5.5"
my 78-79 d100's had 5x4.5"
my 74 W100 had 5x5.5"
most 4x4 dodges with 8-3/4" rears (pre-75) had 5x5.5" rims and dodge went back to then in '85.

the dodge and ford STOCK rims have different center hole sizes. I had both trucks at the same time and I'm pretty sure the dodge rims fit the ford but not the other way around (its been a couple years). the 5x5.5 aftermarket rims have the large center hole and fit both trucks.

I worked alot of dodges into the ground before switching to ford.

[ezernut9mm]

someone on the forums here is funning late model dodge rims on his 67/72. forget who though.