grabber big block

hi fellow ford fans my wife and I have bought a 1971 maverick graber thinking of a big block with a straight axle front end has anyone seen this setup or has done it ? I would love to haer about tip tricks or ideas.

I reckon you'd be one of the first to do it, so go ahead, and then we need pictures posted here!

It's been done, over on Ford Maverick Information Site - The largest Ford Maverick/Mercury Comet community, there are pictures of one.
Kinda going backwards using a straight axle on a 70's car, maybe on a 60's car...
If you were to convert it to a Mustang II front suspension, you could put any engine in you could ever want.

Originally Posted by DaveBoyer

Kinda going backwards using a straight axle on a 70's car, maybe on a 60's car...

Back when these cars were popular in PRO-STOCK (when they were real cars), shaving the spring pockets on the aprons was the way it was done.

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Back when these cars were popular in PRO-STOCK (when they were real cars), shaving the spring pockets on the aprons was the way it was done.

Yeah, but shaving the spring pockets, compared to a straight axle are 2 completely different things?? Why shave them when you don't need them? Straight axles are used with leaf springs, not the coils in the car from the factory...Mavericks are easy to cut the shock towers, to gain clearance, for bigger engines...

I guess I am cheap. I can't see spending money on an axle upgrade or a MUST II conversion when all you need is a cutter and two pieces of flat steel...

Is this going to be a street/show car or competition?

I plan on putting it on the street the bigblock would be strong but not insane and when its done we will make some shows

If you are serious regarding a straight axle, I have a TECH article describing an ECONOLINE axle into a 64 FAIRLANE.

Originally Posted by Grab71

hi fellow ford fans my wife and I have bought a 1971 maverick graber thinking of a big block with a straight axle front end has anyone seen this setup or has done it ? I would love to haer about tip tricks or ideas.

If you want to run a "stock" looking axle, you'll have to find an axle from an early econoline and cut a section out of the middle and weld it back together so it is the right width and doesn't hang out both sides by a whole bunch.
Kinda sketchy but that's how they did it back in the day. Otherwise you could buy a custom tube axle (check out the back pages of HOT ROD Deluxe)
or go the early ford route and run a '32 style with hairpins and a single transverse spring. That way is the easiest, as you only have to weld in the crossmember/spring perch, and the eyes for the hairpins.Although whether or not the stock steering box is compatible I'm not sure. Parts are everywhere for the early style too. either way you go, DEFINATELY weld in subframe connectors, and consider bracing the front of the frame horns to the firewall (like a Chevy II). Then you can hack the shock towers right out and stuff a 460 in there with fenderwell headers