Opinions wanted on Heidts mustang frt suspension

The Heidt's and TCI are pretty much identicle.  I installed a heidt's on my 47.  I have no bumpsteer.  My lower arms are pretty level with the ground along with the tie rods.  If I hit a bump at any speed, I do not experience bumpsteer.  I am also using the drop spindles.  I went with heidts because of the dealer I went through.  He also has a heidt's on his truck. I love it, you will love the TCI  

As a long time builder (23 years) I have to disagree with your statement about dropped spincles being to blame for bump steer. They are dimensionally the same as a stock spindle other than the spindle spud being moved up two inches. The caliper mounting holes are rotated rearward a little for ball joint to caliper clearance. The steering arms and the ball joint mounting points are exactly the same so there is no reason they would cause bump steer. On the Heidts or TCI units the crossember must be made wider for the correct track width (60") on the 55-59 Chev, and 48-56 Ford pickups. When this is done the rack must be made wider using rack extensions inside the boots to increase the distance between the inner tie rod ends. You cannot use longer tie rod ends as some people think. It will have toe-in change or as some people call it (Bump steer). Also if you move the rack up or down even 1/4" you will massive change in toe in change through the suspension travel. Here is a link to the Heidts website showing what is involved in making sure that there is no bump steer:  http://www.heidts.com/support_suspension_101.html. Heidts has been manufacturing their IFS kits using the Mustang II geometry for 25 years and it works just fine. As far as strength goes I have installed big blocks with big blowers and never had any problem with any part of the suspension. I have sold these to customers who have installed them in 10 second drag cars and they go as straight and true down the track as you could ever want.  If you are building a track or autocross vehicle it may not be the hot ticket but for for most people that just want a nice handling street car or truck is works great.
Tim Stromberger
Tim's Hot Rods  
Tim Stromberger
Owner of Tim's Hot Rods in Davenport, Wa
Dealer for TCI, Heidt's, CPP and most major parts manufacturers. www.timshotrods.com
509 926 1429

Your not disagreeing with me, your disagreeing with several long time classic truck shops out west. They've compaired the different systems they install and a mustang/pinto setup doesn't win out in real world driving.
It's not HORRIBLE is not the best.
They make just as much money if not more selling either setup.
You mention drag cars. So have I. Drag cars are not real world drivers and only weight is critical.
The early pinto setups for street rods came staight from the drag world.
My world, unfortunatly, has curves, potholes, speedbumps...
You kinda made my point for me.
you mention mustang11s 25 year old technology, so have I.
I mentioned it by way of being outdated now.
The best current systems to my knowledge now offer either truck or corvette components.
My Industrail chassis setup is appearantly one you have not installed,
because you'd know you'd saved close to $1000. over the Heidts.
If it were only 'as good' as the Heidts it would still win out in price.
But the Dakota setup has better roll centre which you also did not bother to address, also.  

EbbSoul, Could you please supply a link to the Industrial chassis setup. I am researching this too and am on a budget.
Could you also list companies that are offering the truck and corvette components?

Thanks in adavance  

Are you telling me your IFS kit sells for less than $800? I sell the Heidts Mustang II kit with a sway bar, SS brake hoses and a power rack with rack extensions for $1725 with free shipping. I am not familiar with your Industrial Chassis setup. Please enlighten me about it.
Tim  
Tim Stromberger
Owner of Tim's Hot Rods in Davenport, Wa
Dealer for TCI, Heidt's, CPP and most major parts manufacturers. www.timshotrods.com
509 926 1429

I found your website and looked at your suspensions. They look nice although the pictures are not very clear. You must not think the Mustang II is not too bad since you are selling it for applications where the Dakota doesn't fit. Maybe I am missing something here when you say is costs $1000 less than a Heidts IFS. Your Dakota kit sells for $2750 which is more that a Heidts Superide II with coilover shocks and Wilwood Dynalite calipers which I sell for $2513. Even your Mustang II kit with tubular a-arms is a couple of hundred more that the Heidts Mustang II with tubular a-arms. I am not bashing your IFS kits but just want to set the record straight as far as the costs involved. I am sure your Dakota IFS works great and is worth what you are asking for it.
Tim  
Tim Stromberger
Owner of Tim's Hot Rods in Davenport, Wa
Dealer for TCI, Heidt's, CPP and most major parts manufacturers. www.timshotrods.com
509 926 1429

I bought a TCI frame new/used from a guy that had more money to burn than most.Set the truck up,then didnt like the way it sat so he disasembled it and bought another new TCI frame .I bought the frame for a good price but knowing the things Ive read about on the front end Im going with an LS2 aluminum engine and it has a TCI IFS under it . The guys I listen to said that 9in Fords are strong ,but I should only be running 400 hp when comlepleted and Im all about comfort these days so I bought a corvette DANA 44 off C/L a couple years ago,but the frame is set up for a spring suspention.So I guess what Im saying is think long and hard about all the changes you would like /afford and dont settle for anything less.You would hate yourself down the road and its allot more costly to change after the fact like mine .My TCI chassis has powder coat on it so I am stuck using paint to touch up the changes.I have been at this truck for many years and I hope I never loose my drive to get it done Good Luck on your rebuild .
1955 F100 W/  TCI frame