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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: san diego
Posts: 5
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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 |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Diego CA
Posts: 241
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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! |
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: san diego
Posts: 5
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Re: new here with some questions
Quote:
thanks mike |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Diego CA
Posts: 241
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Re: new here with some questions
Yup, we can weld.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: san diego
Posts: 5
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Re: new here with some questions
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#6 |
Moderator
![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
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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 ![]() 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. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: san diego
Posts: 5
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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 |
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#8 |
Moderator
![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
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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.
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#9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: san diego
Posts: 5
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Re: new here with some questions
Quote:
thanks mike |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Idaho
Posts: 8,800
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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.
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