Need some help with my truck

[MrManz]

So im really tired of driving it with the straight axle. I want to bag it, and the steering is really funky now. Its just wore out. So i would like to go IFS. So i would like some opinions. They make cross member for the mustang 2 setup and i could go and but the A arms and stuff froma local wrecking yard and just bolt it all up. Or i can try doing to Camaro front end that i have seen people do. I cant afford to buy a Kit. Iwish i could but thats to much cash right now in my situation. What have you guys done? What would you recomend doing?
Thanks all,
Andrew

[Paul]

let's see..

either

quit whining

or join a street rod forum.

or maybe put a early '50s Chevy car front end under it..

if it were mine I would just rebuild the stock front end.

Paul

[Paul2748]

The least cost would be to go through your current front end . Rebuild your steering box and front end. The other alternatives are too expensive, although if you have the ability to do the Camero that shouldn't be too expensive.

[MrManz]

i dont know whats your deal. I want to bag it and there isnt any good way to bag a straight axle. If you dont have anything to contribute to the question, why even post?

[Rocky]

With 5000 people on this board, we can't possibly remember what everybody drives. At least I can't. Refresh us. What is it? Does it have an original engine? Original brakes? Are you gonna tow a trailer with it? Haul heavy parts in the mountains? Plan on blastin down the 1/4 mile once in awhile?
I used a front-steer Z-28 clip under my trusty 53 ford pickup and totally loved the variable ratio power steering and the large-by-huge stabilizer bar. Plus, it was a snap to mount the 301 sbc in it.
I've driven several Moostang conversions and I didn't like the way they drove near as much as the camaro clip in my truck. You're gonna hear fans of both methods of going independant, not to mention both MoPar torsion bar fronts and the new kid on the block....the Dakota front crossmember.
I don't really care for the cross-torsion Cordoba lazy steering but have had no experience with the dakota....
I'm using an old rear-steer nova under my poncho and I'm gonna try to adapt the later G.M. variable ratio steer box to it.............

[Paul]

hafta assume it's a '49 Chevy..

if you want to bag it

get on the phone with your card and call the bag man.

he will sell you all the latest shit

and tell you how to do it too.

Paul

[MrManz]

Thanks, thats a good point. its a 1949 GMC 1/2 ton truck. And its running a Chevy 250 motor. Idont mind running drum brakes but i would like to go to disc if i can. But not necissary. Its mainly for a better ride on the freeway and being able to drop it to the ground.
-Andrew

[Chopped50Ford]

[ QUOTE ]
quit whining


[/ QUOTE ]

Jesus!!!...

I would go with rebuilding the front end, it will tighten it up and be cheaper and less on the chop/weld department. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[DrJ]

Sell it to a real hotrodder and by a Tundra.

[kyle paul]

a what the with of the frame drew.would a later 70ds era front clip be able to bolt up to that thing im not sure but they have discs and they work in early 60ds trucks .just throwing out ideas

[MrManz]

HAS EVERYONE MISSED THE FACT I WANT TO BAG IT. WTF!

[purple]

<font color="purple"> I just remembered, I have a deal for you. A frame, but it might be too wide. The length can easily be changed to fit though. It is from a 70 Mercury Murauder Country Park wagon, and it has the suspension on it. Coils all 4 corners. It'll be major work compaired to just a front, but could be worth it for you. It'll all be needing gone though as it's been sitting in a field for too long, and the price will be basicaly fof the 9" rear it has. No pics though. </font>

[Petejoe]

To hell with that straight axle on that gigantic truck.
If you want to lower it and have control at highway speeds you have to go with a rack and pinion setup. I haven't seen one with a straight axle that had the control of those setups. Traditional or not I don't care. Saftey is the key.

[Slick mo fo]

For my 56 f-100 I used a 72 Gran Torino. Robbed the IFS (cut &amp; weld) along with that was the 351C, c6 and 9".
I'm sure rack and pinion is the way to go, seeing how everyone sells them. Mine has power steering and frnt discs handles good as a driver. But when I romp on it and get up around 90-100mph, it's white knuckles.

[MrManz]

i found to what i think to be a good deal for a whole IFS kit. Its 1430.00 shipped for a mustang two setup. The cross member is for my truck so it will be a direct weld in. The kit includes the rack and pinion, the cross member, controll arms, A arms, and the disc brakes. So unless anyone knows where i can get a better deal than that, i will be going with that. Thanks all for your help.
-Andrew

[Paul]

from what I have read and heard most of the MII kits are pretty much the same but some should be avoided,

not only for their design and quality but service support too.

if you are intent on bagging your truck you may want to search out the lowrider truck scene and get their opinions

if you want a better product and aren't afraid to spend a little more money

you may want to check into what Art Morrison (http://www.artmorrison.com/) has to offer

they make some quality stuff and I've never heard anything but good stuff about them.

Paul

[purple]

<font color="purple"> Call my friend anyway, he can tell you what to look out for. MIIs are originally for lighter cars, not heavy trucks. The cheap Hiedts one is a big AVOID! </font>

[bigron]

i put a nova clip in a 54 chev pu with the help of a friend awhile back. putting the clip in was the easy part. setting up the mounts for the radiator, trimming the inner fender wells was the real pain. i used a front steer clip so i had to trim the radiator frame a little as well. it was cheap to do for me because it came with the truck when i bought it.

[Tiny]

Why don't you try the S-10 frame swap they are cheap to pick up?