Im having fits finding the ball joints. Even NAPA couldnt help. I tried the K772s and they are too big. I have a set of K727s on the way, but I think they are even bigger. Its probably some kind of toyota or nissan part, something foreign. Either way, 2 of them are bad out of the box, and the boots are ripped also. Helix (who makes the IFS kit) sells them, for $90 each but Im not sending them any more money. Plus they have ground all the part numbers off (or paid to have them made without the numbers) so you cant source any of these parts. Shady.

Im thinking of just replacing the a-arms, or rebuilding them entirely. I can get a-arms, but there is no guarantee they will work with my spindles. And it would be between $500 and $1000 to do so. I would have Moog replaceable ball joints then, and better quality control arms. Or I could get the balljoint and sleeve kit from Speedway. They have them for K772s and K727s, and I could just cut and weld them in place. I think if I go that far, I might just build a completely new set of A-arms. It wont fix all the issues, but its another step closer.

Im about 2 or 3 more problems away from just pulling the truck back apart, and cutting the entire IFS out. I can get a Welder Series cross member for about $400, and make some a-arms. I just know if I do this, Im going to go way too far, and fix EVERYTHING thats wrong, and the truck will be another 5 years in the making.

 

If the kit is based off the stock mustang 2 parts don't the stock ball joints fit it?

 

You would think. But when the kit says "mustang II" it means mustang II geometry only. There are several iterations of the mustang II, but the geometry is basically the same. I have the "corner killer" which came with coil overs, and you can get it with air bags. You can use stock 74-78 mustang II control arms, or tubular A-arms, like my kit has. There are a bunch of options, and a decent aftermarket. A-arms, brake upgrades, away bars...etc.

The brakes are from an S-10. Napa helped me figure that out. No one has been able to help me with the ball joints. I have a few ideas, and I will get it figured out.

 

Can you ask the folks that made the kit what ball joints go in there? Or maybe they sell them??

 

They sell them. The same ones that came in the kit, that were bad from the beginning. And they are $90 each. I just cant bring myself to send them more money for junk parts. And I still wouldnt have a part I can source locally. I would have to buy from them in perpetuity.

 

Hhhmmm..... I take it they DIDN'T use standard Mustang II balljoints there? Can you take one that you have in, and see if the parts counter guy can match it up??

 

They didnt. I have no clue what they put in it. And I took it to NAPA and Advance auto and no one could help. I did discover a few months ago the brakes are from an S10. And the ball joint and sleeve I am ordering from Speedway will give me a known K772 ball joint that I can have replaced in the future if I need it.

 

Its been a few weeks since I posted last. I have been struggling with a decision. I have talked to my wife, and sent some emails, and done a lot of research on the subject, and I think I know what I have to do....

The Helix IFS has just been a battle. Every fix I throw at it reveals another problem. No replacement part numbers, no identification, lousy installation instructions, bad parts, questionable quality...I would hate to fix this truck, and crash it on a road trip. The point of the truck is to drive it. It was never meant to be a trailered pampered show truck. The intention was always to build a nice truck that can be driven long distance without issue.

I have wrestled with the decision, but I think I have to replace the IFS, that I bought from Uncle Jimmys Jalopies. There are several issues with it still, and there are a few things I skipped doing on the frame while I had it apart because I was rushing, and couldnt depend on the help I had then. I have talked through it with my wife, and studied as much as I can. I bought some metal plate, and some other things I think I need, like a full bottle of gas for the MIG.

Here is the plan;

Ill pull the truck back down to the frame. Im going to fix the frame short comings. Rivets to remove, holes to fill, re-route some things, and completely box the frame, not just a half attempt. This will lead to some changes in brake lines and wiring. Along the way Ill install the Welder Series Mustang II, and Ill record all the part numbers and progress. Ive emailed Paul Horton at Welder Series, and he has been a great help so far. It looks like Ill be trying Speedway dropped spindles (they should use the K772 ball joints), and about any tubular control arms for coil overs. I havent worked that far ahead yet. Ill start with the spindles, and go from there.

This time when I put the truck back together, I will not worry about time (I hope). But it will go together slowly, but with the intention of making it right now. I dont want to plan on a later rebuild. If I get the truck running and driving and the body looks like crap, at least its safe and I can drive it.

This might take awhile. I have to order more parts first and make sure Im on the right track. I also have to move some things around here at the house. I have a storage building to get moved, so I can move parts into it easier. Im also going to get the ford going as a backup. It runs and drives, maybe not very well, but it can be made to run with a little more work.

I hope it wont take more than a few months to fix this, but it will take what it takes. I feel I have been short changing the build and Isaacs vision for the truck. I know it will never have a hellcat engine, but it can be better. If that means the frame and drivetrain are great but it has crappy body parts and a small 318, thats fine.

 

Not the inexpensive route, but, I tend to agree with your decision. Being able to find parts when needed is pretty high on my priority list, and being able to TRUST the parts that I install is right at the top.

 

Its been about 2 months now, but I have been doing things around the house. We got quite a bit done actually. Several things we had been talking about for years. Still have 2 or 3 items to finish, but its been a productive summer. Now Im back on the truck. I just started disassembly again, and should have the truck apart some time next week. Im still having space issues. I just dont have room to store all the parts. But Ill deal with that.

First thing on the agenda after disassembly is to make the frame modifications- fix the IFS, finish boxing the frame at the cross members, fill holes, remove rivets, etc. Im also going to make pass-throughs at the cross members for lines and wiring, and Im still looking at the battery position. Im also considering installing a gas tank in the rear. I know I previously said I didnt want to do that, but that was because I dont want a hole in the bed floor. It just looks unfinished to me that way. Now I have to raise the bed floor, so it wouldnt be hard to make a gas filler neck in the back. We will see.

Im not giving a time frame, but I hope to have it going back together by spring, maybe summer. Of course, life has a way of derailing those hopes and dreams.

Bed, hood, doors, radiator and grill off again. I have to go all the way to a bare frame again.