[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Denee007

Hi Dan! You ask a good question! I would think that my personal opinion of the way my truck drives compared to if someone else drove it may be totally opposite.
If you drove my truck, you may think it drives horribly, or not. Someone with a front clip from a Camaro may think my truck is unsafe for the road.

I really have nothing to compare it with in regards to old trucks as I haven't driven an old truck. However, let's review what I have:
Stock straight axle with new kingpins and tapered type tie rods, with front disc brakes. Front and rear springs are Posie 2 leaf. All bushing are new. I have the Saginaw ps steering gear, but with the steering gear itself mounted further towards the front than what the instructions said~ in hopes to reduce/eliminate bump steer. Oh, and a 6 degree caster shim recommended by Sid.

For me, my only complaint is a little more steering seems to be necessary at slower speeds (5 - 10mph), but at 60mph on the hwy is quite nice, however correction is necessary and I feel like I wouldn't want to lean down to get something off of the floorboard in fear of changing lanes, but doesn't drive nothing my '10 Mazda CX9! As for bumpsteer~ I've never experienced bumpsteer so far, or say going down a bad street, and let's say the right front wheel hits a bump or bad spot in the road? My truck doesn't dart in any direction, it takes bumps very well with no ill affect in the steering wheel.

My power steering in my opinion is just right! It's relatively easy to steer, but not ridiculously easy. Perhaps a smaller diameter steering wheel might be in order. The stock steering wheel from the doner car, a '73 impala, is kind of large in diameter(not like the original truck steering wheel though), but it's all I had at the moment and will stay there until further notice.

Overall, I'm happy with the straight axle in that I have kept something original on the truck vs. just slapping a front clip in. I wish I had lowered the truck a little more, but that could be another project way down the road.

Another note, I don't drive my truck that often, it's kind of a show truck per say. We drive it to special events, and on occasion I drive it to the parts store to get parts, but is not a daily driver. So for me, it's really just fine the way it is.

Oh, I haven't driven it yet with the newly installed front and rear sway bars!

You must evaluate what you have, what you actually want and what your intentions are of what you're going to do with your truck. Now is the time to do it, not after it's all together.

Sorry for the long answer, but I give you my opinion and the best description I can for being a non-professional.
dne'

Thanks for the descriptive answer. It's what I wanted. I too will likely not drive my truck all that much, which is why I keep vacillating between ifs and a setup like yours - an optimized straight axle setup. Also, I already have a new CPP disc brake conversion kit & a dual (manual) frame mount master cylinder kit as well. My original plan was a dropped axle before I found out about Posies SuperSliders.

I keep thinking about how so many street rodders keeper their straight axles, wishbones & even transverse springs and it makes me wonder if I wouldn't come to regret a clip job, and possibly an IFS crossmember too?

Thanks again Denee! Happy holidays to you & yours if I don't "talk" to you before then.

PS: Your truck looks GREAT! The side shot really helps me. I'd want my rear height exactly like yours. The front I might lower 1" or possibly 2", but that's just me.