I'm still driving a 95 Bounder on a Ford F53 chassis with 460, er ah make that a 528 now.
The 16" tires are not a problem if you don't cheap out and buy rags.
Ford delivered the older F53s with Michelin all steel cord tires, for a reason. 13 years with no tire problems and I run the chassis right on its maximum of 17,000#. Get the toe in right and add a front pan hard bar and it will handle well. Service the brakes ever 2 years, as required by Ford, and they work well.
Headers will eliminate the manifold problems with both brands of chassis.
Ford had a better cooling system in the 90s. A lot of the chevy guys had to install better radiators. Both chassis require a new fan clutch once in awhile. I'm running a 68 cu in bigger engine on the original radiator core with no heating problems.
Add a electronic shift kit to Ford's E4OD transmission and it will last for ever. IE Banks transcommander. I rebuilt my tranny at 138,000 miles when I installed the bigger engine.
I'm not a fan of the independent front suspension used on the P32 chassis. Lots of room for parts failure and alignment problems. Robert Henderson (Henderson Line-up) made a fortune correcting all those problems.
There's not a nut, bolt, wire or bearing on one of those old chassis that scares me. I just happen to think those old Ford chassis are less aggravating than the Chevy P32.
Flack jacket on
Richard
