59 Apache front Suspension??

Hi All,

I want to put a Cummins 6BTA 5.9 diesel in my 59 chevy apache and us it as a daily driver, so I have decided to go the Mustang 11 route, (I know I know why dont I stick with the I beam)
well firstly the engine is stupid heavy (975lbs) so I want power steering preferably rack and im looking to get the truck quite low on the front keeping a decent suspension travel.

so who do we reccomend for the heviest rated Mustang 11 or IFS??
any advice on this would be greatly apprecciated.

Thanks Jeremy

 

hey hey , not a stock mustang II , check with some suppliers , go with the biggest rotors and calipers , and let them know the weight for spring selection..you could keep the straight axle and upgrade to heavy leafs and big brakes , add a power saginaw box cross steering setup..would cost more to MII . keep us posted...mac

 

That diesel will mash the MII flat!

 

I would use a Cummins 4BT and the front suspension from a Chevy pickup 73-87 and then use dropped spindles to get it lower. The four cylinder Cummins will fit better, it's lighter and will still have mere power than you will ever need. You might also be interested in these links;
http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/forum.php

http://www.transmissioncenter.org/cummins_4bt_and_6bt_adapter.htm

 

I spoke to Fatman and all they kept saying was ooohh, thats never been done, so they werent very helpful to be honest..

This is my concern!!

There is a 1928 dodge sedan running around with a cummins in it on a what looks like 30's Ibeam car axle and it seems to have stood the test of time, been around a few years now?

 

thanks for the sugestion but I already have the engine, the 4BT is 200lbs lighter but also has half the horsepower at 105hp where as the 6bta I have pushes out 215hp which I intend to tine up considerably, also the sound of the six is much better than the four pot.

 

Straight axle, power steering box conversion, Big disc brak conversion. Only way to go with what you are planing. A well tuned straight axle set-up will ride and handle fine. A few million 18 wheelers can't be wrong.

 

Leave the stock axle in the truck as its gonna handle the weight of the diesel engine.

 

Another alternative that a lot of people use is put a Camaro/nova subframe in it if you're stuck against using the I-beam, that way you get more modern handling a wide variety of spring choices and readily available parts to be able to work on it.

 

IMHO the Mustang II spindles are way too light weight!!! I don't like the fact they were on my 56 pick-up when it bought it. I mine only has the 327 cu in engine. Yes, it is still in there.
Ford did not make the Mustang II units any heavier duty than needed for the light weight Mustang II.
I would check out a 66 or so Chevy pick-up front suspension. They are a bolt in cross member, you may need to narrow it for the 59 track width, and uses a cross steer. I adapted a later model GM power steering unit to my 66.

 

Yep.

 

that's a bunch of weight on a "four cylinder" suspension. Springs are not the worry, the a arms and spindles and pot holes are the worry.........and i would not be suprised to hear the power rack and pinion "blew up" trying to steer the thing.

 

Howbout a Jag XJ6 /XJS IFS? They're pretty stout as the cars are heavy. Sweet ride.

 

Um....a Cummins diesel on top of a Mustang II suspension? Yeah. You're probably going to need some parts out of one of these:

 

A '94-'98 Cummins is my favorite motor. Doesn't matter if its a 6 or a 4. I would use a 4bt before I would doghouse the firewall to make a six fit. The six is smoother. While the six is heavier, the power to weight ratio for the 4 is not as good. Although both motors respond to the same tuning upgrades. If using a 4bt, it is worth finding one with a stock 130 hp rating. The P7100 injection pump has a lot more potnetial for power upgrades.

The straight axle with leaf springs will handle the weight much better. The Cummins is a tall motor. Oil pan clearance is usually tight in 4WD applications. That might dictate how low you can drop it.

 

using the Camaro clip might get you some extra room for that tall Cummins

 

Thanks for all the input guys, I know disc brake conversions are available for 55-59 chevy trucks but are dropped spindles also available??
if so the I-beam might be more appealing....

 

On a straight axle "dropped spindles" aren't normally used, rather the axle is 'dropped' - heated and bent to lower the ride height. You can have yours dropped or buy one already one.

I have disc brakes, monoleaf springs, and a CPP power steering conversion on the straight axle on my '55 - I'm installing a Camaro clip this winter so it will all be for sale...

 

Mustang II components are a lot more stout than many realize. The upper ball Joints are the same as Lincoln Continent from the 70 (Big Boats) and Edsell's among other things. The bearing sizes are similar to many Big Ford. tie rod ends are large, etc.
I've seen MANY big Block cars with MII front ends under them with no issue - but you are talking another 300+ pounds so it may be a bit too much in this applicatation

 

I with this one^^^ that will take the weight, plus you got a lot of spring options if you need something heavier.
See how it sits and handles, then drop the axle if needed.
I love my dropped axle setup.


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