new here with some questions
 

hello everyone, im on my way home from deployment and i am going to be picking up a 1948 5 window short bed. from the pics and the details it was parked in a barn for the past 30+ years and has minimal body rust, and it runs and drives! i am going to be doing a restoration on it and im looking for some info.

1. can the frame handle around 400hp 400ftlbs? i know the older ford trucks, the frame was meant to flex is this the case with the chevys also?

2. what is the best method for the rear suspension? i am looking into a new rear leaf kit with a 2-3" drop, but im also looking into the 4-link.

3. is the mustang II one of the best options options for the front? i know i want a IFS but there are other options out there and i would like to hear about them.

i have been reading almost nonstop since i found this website and i have already found it to be very useful. cant wait to learn more and finnaly pick up this truck.

mike

Re: new here with some questions
 

Mike, welcome home and THANK YOU for your service and sacrifice.
I'm not sure I can answer any of your tech questions but I'm in San Diego and pretty well tooled up for fabrication. If you need anything or help let me know.
I'm getting ready to C-Notch my frame and build a new flat bed. Fire and hammers RULE!

Re: new here with some questions
 

sweet, im defiantly going need help with welding! i know how to do it but i dont trust myself on welding up a front suspension or rear 4 link! can you help with stuff like that?

thanks
mike

Re: new here with some questions
 

Yup, we can weld.

Re: new here with some questions
 

awesome! im defiantly going to be contacting you for some help!

mike

Re: new here with some questions
 

1. can the frame handle around 400hp 400ftlbs? i know the older ford trucks, the frame was meant to flex is this the case with the chevys also?
Yep (flex). You can see it between the cab and bed when on a rough dirt terrain.

2. what is the best method for the rear suspension? i am looking into a new rear leaf kit with a 2-3" drop, but im also looking into the 4-link.
Leafs ride the best. You can lower the rear easy enough as well. Coil over with 4 link is cool if you dont mind the ride. Younger guys usually cant tell the diff :) and yes I used to be a younger guy.

3. is the mustang II one of the best options options for the front? i know i want a IFS but there are other options out there and i would like to hear about them.
MII is the easiest IMHO. You can do a volare front end with torsion bars. But you'd have to know what your doing. You can graft a camaro front end on, but I have seen people do this and make it TOO low and ruin their frame. Mustang 2 is the norm however.

Re: new here with some questions
 

sweet thank you. is there a frame boxing kit that some one sells? or does the install of the IFS normally take care of that issue? what all would i need to do to make sure the frame can handle the power of a 350?

thanks
mike

Re: new here with some questions
 

If the frame is good shape your good to go. I had a 50 chevy 5 window with a 350 and never had an issue. The mustang 2 front end will probably come with front end boxing plates anyway. So you'll be good if it's inatalled properly.

Re: new here with some questions
 

sweet thats good to know. i still need to check out the frame on the truck but i think its going to be ok. i might even pick another frame up and work on that so i can still drive the truck.

thanks
mike

Re: new here with some questions
 

They were designed to flex because a lot of them were used on farms, etc. running across fields, ditchs etc. That is why everything is bolted to the frame. When you weld brackets, etc. to the frame you set up stress points that can crack under extreme use. For the street and normal driving it is usually not a problem. Most front IFS systems need to have the frame boxed because of the way the suspension loads are transfered to the frame. High HP rear ends need boxing to keep the frame from flexing which prevents the power from being transferred to the ground.