Please some info regarding IFS kit's

[sopsum]

Hello all,

Let me introduce myself.
I´am Taeke from Holland

In the past I visit many times the USA for my study & work, and I always wanted to have a ´47-´54 Chevy Pickup.

After seeing some and considering to import or to buy one in Europe.

Finally I bought in Holland a ´51 ½ ton. I hard original shape, last registration was 1980.

The truck is build in Los Angeles, and the last owner was living in Valley, Mid California.

The truck was just imported half year ago.


Plans are making a daily driver of it. So IFS is necessary for sure.


Now I was looking on E-bay, and Classic Performance Products is offering two kit´s

One of TCI - $ 1700 the other one Heidt´s $ 1850



A few questions :

* Any experience with this kit´s.. is there any difference?

* The track of these kits are always the same? Plan was to use a camaro rear axis.

* Drop of 2” up to 6” depending of the spindles you order. Because it’s gone be a daily driver I don´t wont to have the truck to low.

Is this reliable to measure this drop from the standard straight axis setup?



Some background/experience should be great!



Kind Regard,



Taeke de Boer

[72steel]

Howz it goin, I just got back from Amsterdam a couple weeks ago. Anyway, I just had my Mustang II IFS installed recently. I paid about $1600 for my complete set. If you keep looking you could save yourself a couple hundred bucks...or euros.

I got the one with 2.5" drop spindles and it looks great, I went with taller tires in the back for a more dramatic stance. Make sure you get the boxing plates in your kit. Good luck

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

I ordered & installed a TCI IFS. It was a snap to install. I ordered it w/2" dropped spindles & sent them back for stock ht. spindles. I could not get a floor jack under it w/dropped spindles. It now sits 7" from the floor to the running boards.......looks great.
Don Meyer

[pgf545]

Greetings from Texas, I am building a 52 with my dad and we used a Heidts setup. It was easy to install. You can check my build thread for some pictures of what I have done so far. I still have a long way to go and if you have any questions let me know.

Bernie

[Matshark]

A heartly welcome from enother european guy.
I used the stock height spindles, as the ifs already sits lower
even with standard spindles. Dropped spindles would be
too low for german streets. But i have a 55 2nd series,
not your type.

[sopsum]

Okay,

Thanks for the information! But I don’t need to worry about the Track of the IFS?
Here some picture’s of my truck.

[Daniel U]

Very cool truck. I have the MustII front from TCI with 2 inch drop.

[sopsum]

Dear Daniel,

The kit you purchased is the standard kit with 11 inch discs ?

Taeke

[jkaylor68gmc]

Go with the TCI or the Heidts they are both very good kits from popular companies. The track width will be just fine!

[1gearhead]

We have installed several Mustang II IFS in my shop. Have installed both Heidt's and TCI and the both work out well. Lastely I have been using a Mustang II IFS manufactured by Jim Weimer Rod Garage, 948 W. Silver Beach Road, Belgium, Wisconson 53004. (888) 414-8787. Website jimweimerrodgarage.com. I find this IFS superior to any other that I have installed. Cross member and spring hats are 1/16" thicker than others and all components are premium US manufacturer. Fit, finish and detail are very good. Pricing is compoorable to TCI and Heidt's. Beware of Mustang II IFS kits priced in the $1300 - $1500 range. I have purchased and installed these and noted that there is a difference. These low price point kits are thinner material in the crossmember and spring hats and virtually all incorporate Made In China parts. They also had cast spindles instead of forged. That old saying, "You get what you pay for" holds true here. One other consideration, I usually install the MII IFS with a manual R&P rather than the Power Rack. I find that this usually works out better. With the PS R&P there seems to be too much power assist at speed making the steering extremely sensative and twitchy (technical term) this is true even if a pressure restrictor valve is installed in the GM PS pump. Good luck with your project.

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

I have been installing these since the mid 70's. The first were installed before a kit was available. The first kit was made by Progessive Auto in Ohio where I then lived.
I personally like the TCI because it can be purchased a little cheaper than most & they give good support, altho there are several kits just as good.
As far as power steering the manual R&P is great for light cars, but most I have installed in AD trucks have been power(T-bird/later Must type). They are prone to be too sensitive, but not as bad as the Must II . There are ways of correcting this(do a Google search). The AD trucks are a bear to park w/o PS imho.

Do a E-bay search for street rod parts & you will see who has the best prices.Good luck.

Don Meyer-Mech Engr.
meyerbrosrods.com

[sopsum]

I can use that help!

I ordered an TCI IFS at CPP.
Now I was wondering what to use for the rear end.
I will use the standard rear spring suspension.

Is it worth spending the money for Mono leafs on the rear?

Any experience with this?

Thank you, Taeke

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

For the rear I use Crysler 5th ave station wagon springs(JCWgitney-free ship).
To lower the truck I use 2" lowering blks. & mount the rear of the spring even w/thr top of the frame.

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

I used an 80 Camaro posi. It bolts right up, tho you'll need to reposition the hangers. The width is perfect for the AD.