I thought I'd throw this up there. I found these pics posted some years ago of a gent that took a tape measure to Lexus SC400 front frame rails to gauge how wide the pull out IFS was for use in a 240Z car. It's pretty close to an A-body. Also, the SC400 has the same 5 X 4.5" wheel bolt pattern as Mopars. These are cheap on Craigslist. Also stuff like a-arms can be directly swapped with less expensive Supra items from the same years.
Lexus SC300/SC400 front suspension
- Thread starter Greg55_99
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jos51700
Green Bearing thread connoisseur
If you can't be handsome, be handy.
That said, the bolt pattern on that Lexus is NOT the same as a 4.5 on five. Close enough to screw ya, but not the same (edit: I looked it up, and still have my doubts, but it appears I'm wrong and the op was correct. I'm betting the Lexus is actually 115mm on five, though)
That said, the bolt pattern on that Lexus is NOT the same as a 4.5 on five. Close enough to screw ya, but not the same (edit: I looked it up, and still have my doubts, but it appears I'm wrong and the op was correct. I'm betting the Lexus is actually 115mm on five, though)
might work, my question is though... do the A arms fit the fenders of an A body?
kaytbugsdad
Well-Known Member
Lexus is 5 x 114.3mm, which is 4.5 inches.... Not sure about the hub size, though. I think the Lexus is larger than Dodge......
67autocross
A new iron curtain drawn across the 49th parallel
I steel the winter wheels off my wife's lexus for pushing my A bodies around the shop...
Lexus sc400 ifs in 56 f100 - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Dig that fabbed coil over bracket....
1941 Plymouth Road Racer Project: Buying, cruelly gutting the Lexus SC suspension donor
Spiffy babes.. spiffy...
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72Valiant4Door
Trouble Maker
My best friend has an sc, and is a Lexus freak.
the bolt pattern is the exact same, and the hub is smaller than our a-bodies. his car handles like a motherfucker...
he upgraded to some free mustang wheels recently, fyi.
the bolt pattern is the exact same, and the hub is smaller than our a-bodies. his car handles like a motherfucker...
he upgraded to some free mustang wheels recently, fyi.
According to the posted pic, with stock offset Lexus wheels, it's 69" outside tire to outside tire. I think that hits the A-body right on the money.
Front track width on a stock A body is 59.2, center of tire to center of tire.
I love it when people grumble about something as simple as wheel bolt pattern with swaps like this. lol
1992 Lexus SC400 front track width is listed at 59.9".
1992 Lexus SC400 specifications, information, data, photos 25509
Spiffy babe... spiffy...
sounds like it may just work then. I'm an curious so let us know if you try it. Only other hurdles might possibly be where it places the engine in the bay, but you're gonna be fabbing up motor mounts regardless its mute really. and then it may require a custom oil pan to clear the K and rack. Either way, this looks more realistic than the crown vic swap a guy on here was wanting to try.
This info is for the “I wants” guys. Every other day, without fail, gents post a list of “I wants” to this forum.
I wants rack and pinion steering…
I wants coilovers…
I wants to get rid of my torsion bars…
I wants quick steering…
I wants bigger brakes…
I wants tubular a-arms….
OK, but when the ultimate solution to the “I wants” presents itself in the form of a Hemi Denny, Gerst or RMS suspension setup, the near $5000 price tag makes most of the “I wants” guys go quiet. They know like I know they can never slip that amount of money past their banker (wife). I know I couldn’t. So, I hope the data is taken for what it is, a junkyard alternative. Maybe some gent will look at it, take out a tape measure, have three or four Bud Lights and say to himself… “Y’know… I think I could make that work for not a lot of money…”
That’s Hot Roddin’….
Greg
I wants rack and pinion steering…
I wants coilovers…
I wants to get rid of my torsion bars…
I wants quick steering…
I wants bigger brakes…
I wants tubular a-arms….
OK, but when the ultimate solution to the “I wants” presents itself in the form of a Hemi Denny, Gerst or RMS suspension setup, the near $5000 price tag makes most of the “I wants” guys go quiet. They know like I know they can never slip that amount of money past their banker (wife). I know I couldn’t. So, I hope the data is taken for what it is, a junkyard alternative. Maybe some gent will look at it, take out a tape measure, have three or four Bud Lights and say to himself… “Y’know… I think I could make that work for not a lot of money…”
That’s Hot Roddin’….
Greg
well put. I agree. Granted, I have the Gerst setup and it's very nice and well worth it, but I'm all for DIY hot rodders. I honestly think this has real potential unlike some of the other suggestions out there. Hopefully someone can try it successfully. what do these front clips run ??
I don't know what a pull out would run. In my area, it's actually cheaper (I hate to use that word) to buy a parts car someone is trying to get rid of. I've seen a few Craigslist SC300's and SC400's for $1000 and LESS. Then, sell off what's left on Craigslist or to the Lexus guys. Might be able to turn a profit. Your banker would give you a lot less "stank eye" that way.
Treblig
Well-Known Member
If that Lexus tire is 7 inches wide then 69 minus 7 equals 62 (C to C), that's pretty close.
treblig
dont forget, you have backspacing and such in there.
Furious65
C-body Guy
I think "that guy" would be me!
The Lexus SC front end, it was brought up briefly in my thread discussing the Crown Vic front. I do think it might be a better choice for an A-body due to less specialized fabrication making it more DIY. There are a couple of drawbacks to the Lexus front. First, it requires high offset (+50mm) rims but that's to be expected with any late model IFS swap. Second, you would still need to modify, probably quite extensively, the inner fenders to work with the positioning of the Lexus coil springs/shock mounts and be sufficiently strengthened to handle the loads being placed on them. The Crown Vic is superior here as it wouldn't need inner fender mods to the extent of the Lexus as the coil spring/shock mounts are self contained. However, anyone with decent welding skills should be able to pull it off. That being said, I would love to see someone make it work!
I still think the '03-'04 Crown Vic front end would work in an A-body quite well. It would take some custom fabrication (aluminum welding/machining) that the majority of people can't do themselves (read:$), plus it would involve cutting on the inner fenders which most wouldn't want to do, but doable.
IMO, both setups are capable of working and working well. It's just a question of your skills, your budget, and to what extent your willing to hack on your inner fenders.
My '68 service manual says 57.4". I know in my '72 service manual it specifies a different track width for 2dr (59.7") vs 4dr (57.4"). Curious if anyone has any clarification on this.
I think "that guy" would be me!
The Lexus SC front end, it was brought up briefly in my thread discussing the Crown Vic front. I do think it might be a better choice for an A-body due to less specialized fabrication making it more DIY. There are a couple of drawbacks to the Lexus front. First, it requires high offset (+50mm) rims but that's to be expected with any late model IFS swap. Second, you would still need to modify, probably quite extensively, the inner fenders to work with the positioning of the Lexus coil springs/shock mounts and be sufficiently strengthened to handle the loads being placed on them. The Crown Vic is superior here as it wouldn't need inner fender mods to the extent of the Lexus as the coil spring/shock mounts are self contained. However, anyone with decent welding skills should be able to pull it off. That being said, I would love to see someone make it work!
I still think the '03-'04 Crown Vic front end would work in an A-body quite well. It would take some custom fabrication (aluminum welding/machining) that the majority of people can't do themselves (read:$), plus it would involve cutting on the inner fenders which most wouldn't want to do, but doable.
IMO, both setups are capable of working and working well. It's just a question of your skills, your budget, and to what extent your willing to hack on your inner fenders.
My '68 service manual says 57.4". I know in my '72 service manual it specifies a different track width for 2dr (59.7") vs 4dr (57.4"). Curious if anyone has any clarification on this.
I have heard that drum brake cars have a narrower track width than disc brake cars. But I've never heard anything involving 2 vs 4 doors. gonna have to look into that one
I think "that guy" would be me!
The Lexus SC front end, it was brought up briefly in my thread discussing the Crown Vic front. I do think it might be a better choice for an A-body due to less specialized fabrication making it more DIY. There are a couple of drawbacks to the Lexus front. First, it requires high offset (+50mm) rims but that's to be expected with any late model IFS swap. Second, you would still need to modify, probably quite extensively, the inner fenders to work with the positioning of the Lexus coil springs/shock mounts and be sufficiently strengthened to handle the loads being placed on them. The Crown Vic is superior here as it wouldn't need inner fender mods to the extent of the Lexus as the coil spring/shock mounts are self contained. However, anyone with decent welding skills should be able to pull it off. That being said, I would love to see someone make it work!
I still think the '03-'04 Crown Vic front end would work in an A-body quite well. It would take some custom fabrication (aluminum welding/machining) that the majority of people can't do themselves (read:$), plus it would involve cutting on the inner fenders which most wouldn't want to do, but doable.
IMO, both setups are capable of working and working well. It's just a question of your skills, your budget, and to what extent your willing to hack on your inner fenders.
My '68 service manual says 57.4". I know in my '72 service manual it specifies a different track width for 2dr (59.7") vs 4dr (57.4"). Curious if anyone has any clarification on this.
As for the Lexus coilover mounting issue, I think there are already methods to solve that problem:
[SOLD] - HemiDenny Shock Hoop support bars
Anyway, it's an idea. Brainstorming 101. Gotta keep the Banker happy!
Greg
Treblig
Well-Known Member
I would quit drinking but since I only drink at two specific events .... I figure I'm OK??
When I'm by myself
OR
When I'm with someone else!!!
treblig
When I'm by myself
OR
When I'm with someone else!!!
treblig
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