2015 Mustang IRS retrofit

[Mountain-Metalworks]

I've searched for this answer but couldn't find it(could be stupid user syndrome...). Can the new 2015 Mustang IRS be retrofitted into any MKIV non-irs chassis just like the old t-bird IRS setup? Is it as simple as welding in a new 'cage' that supports the IRS components just like before? Are there any existing brackets that need to also be hacked out?
Last question, is there a crated size and weight that can be used to guesstimate what shipping costs would be? Are there carriers that you specifically use or is it up to the buyer to coordinate just like a full kit?

Thanks,
TJ

[edwardb]

Here's what the bare frame looks like for the 2015 Mustang IRS setup. And then a view with everything installed. You be the judge. I seem to recall the official response from FF was they would not be selling an upgrade kit for this due to the complexity. With enough time and money (and some good fabrication skills) probably anything is possible. But I'm guessing it wouldn't be too easy.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Delivery/IMG_3276_zpsv2svcovn.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Delivery/IMG_3276_zpsv2svcovn.jpg.html)

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Independent%20Rear%20Suspension/IMG_3468_zps5ikptnwr.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Independent%20Rear%20Suspension/IMG_3468_zps5ikptnwr.jpg.html)

[edwardb]

Quick follow-up: I see in Factory Five's on-line catalog for the previous design IRS, this statement: "The kit comes with the IRS cage, shocks, upper and lower control arms, shorter half shafts, and all hardware. If ordered with a kit we weld in all the mounts so it is ready to assembly and shipping is free, but many people have retrofitted this kit into their solid axle cars. It will work on all Mark I, II, and III cars."

For the 2015 IRS this statement: "The new Factory Five Independent Rear Suspension is designed to use 2015 and later Ford Mustang center section, spindles, and brakes. The new IRS is available for the Mk4 Roadster, '33 Hot Rod, and Type 65 Coupe. The suspension is available with new kit orders."

Seems to suggest the new IRS will not be sold as an upgrade to an existing chassis. Also seems to suggest the old IRS is not an available upgrade to an existing Mk4. But maybe that's just an oversight. Not sure why it would OK for the others but not a Mk4.

I would suggest calling Factory Five and getting the answer straight from them. They could also answer questions about shipping. Post the answer back here. Probably others would be interesting to find out as well.

[Mountain-Metalworks]

Thanks for the pictures Edward, it doesn't look as if FFR intended this as retrofit-capable like you mentioned. There is no 'cage' like the t-bird IRS that was self-contained and could be easily lined up and welded in. I've got the metal fabrication skills from years of building Jeep frames, suspensions, etc.... but I agree that it would take a lot of work to get the correct alignment without FFR's welding jigs.

I know others have done the t-bird retrofit into an MKIV, so I think the wording just doesn't reflect that ability. Seeing the quote about "The suspension is available with new kit orders" on the Factory Five website is what prompted my question here. I was afraid of the answer but your pictures clearly show the obvious answer of "it won't work".

Silly question, but I posted here thinking this WAS the way to get an official answer from FFR. Did I take the "Ask a Factory Five Tech' title of this forum too literally when it's really just another place to get feedback from builders? I spend almost all my time on FFCars so I'm not as familiar with this forum and how it gets used i.e: Official info from FFR.

Back to the retrofit question, John George posted in the recent '15 IRS Ride thread (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?19571-2015-IRS-Ride&p=221534&viewfull=1#post221534) that he's putting this on #48 which has to be a Challenge car based on that old frame #. I'll have to PM him to see if he's going the custom fab route.

-TJ

[edwardb]

Silly question, but I posted here thinking this WAS the way to get an official answer from FFR. Did I take the "Ask a Factory Five Tech' title of this forum too literally when it's really just another place to get feedback from builders? I spend almost all my time on FFCars so I'm not as familiar with this forum and how it gets used i.e: Official info from FFR. -TJ

Sorry, I didn't notice this was posted in the ask FFR section. They've been pretty good about responding to questions in this section, so hopefully we can get an official answer from them. That hasn't prevented some of us (especially those of us with apparently limited reading comprehension skills) from weighing in when questions are answered. :o

I remember that post about the 2015 IRS going into a challenge car. Apparently that will be a retrofit.

[Jeff Kleiner]

...I remember that post about the 2015 IRS going into a challenge car. Apparently that will be a retrofit.

And if I were a betting man my money would be it being done by Mark Daugherty in his shop.

Jeff

[Mountain-Metalworks]

And if I were a betting man my money would be it being done by Mark Daugherty in his shop.

Jeff

If that's the case, I'd have to factor in that Mark D's FFR fabrication skills SERIOUSLY out-perform mine. But.... it still means it can be done.

-TJ


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMRrNY0pxfM