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01-07-2015, 05:42 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Cleveland, OH
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Front/rear suspension recipes 59"Apache 3100
Hey guys, I posted a while back ago after buying my 59 apache (seen below). I am getting ready to pull the front clip off and start with the steering/suspension.
Any proven recipes for converting to more of a modern set up? My plan is to lower the truck with suspension (no air bags). I would like to avoid welding in a front subframe from another vehicle. I am sure this has been gone over but can't find a whole lot in searching the forum. Wish lists would be rack and pinion steering, front discs, and IFS. I am more of a budget builder, I like to put stuff together, weld, scream and throw wrenches. I am just finishing up a diesel conversion in my 1970 C10 so I want to start getting the parts pile together. |
01-07-2015, 09:03 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Motown
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Re: Front/rear suspension recipes 59"Apache 3100
fatman ifs and 3rd gen trans am rearend flipped on top of stock springs in my truck
25,000 miles on it as is
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cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer |
01-07-2015, 09:47 PM | #3 |
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Re: Front/rear suspension recipes 59"Apache 3100
Thanks, I'll look into that set up.
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01-08-2015, 09:45 AM | #4 |
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Re: Front/rear suspension recipes 59"Apache 3100
Ogre: I found your build thread, you have done a TON of work to that thing. Your interior work is excellent. This is my first old body truck and I think I am going to keep the build simple. The main goal is to get the front end modernized and go from there. As of now, the truck is 100% original down to the mice peed all over seat (minus the wheels of course).
Are there any other options besides the fatman set up? Last edited by j_cst_10; 01-08-2015 at 09:57 AM. |
01-08-2015, 06:23 PM | #5 | |
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Re: Front/rear suspension recipes 59"Apache 3100
Quote:
not sure if it would be streetable with drop spindles (though someone will chime in to say i'm wrong ) lots of options over fatman, even ebay has mustII packages for sale fatman has great tech support if you do need it
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cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer |
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01-08-2015, 06:37 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
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Re: Front/rear suspension recipes 59"Apache 3100
Look over this build thread by one of members on here. Jag XJ series front suspension that unbolts as a complete unit from the donor rig and the
A arms pretty well clear your inner fenders so you don't have hacked up sheet metal on your truck. The cost is usually fairly reasonable in major metro areas. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=628283 I think there is another build thread on here where the guy did one as a bolt on on a TF truck using the stock Jag mount pads and fabbing brackets on the frame. Another option is the Crossember from www.industrialchassis.com for a TF truck that runs Dodge Dakota suspension pieces. Not that spendy in the long run and you end up with mid size pickup suspension pieces and could use a Mopar or Ford rear for the 5 on 4-1/2 bolt pattern. I know it sounds like I am doing advertising for Steve lately but he builds a great product for a competitive price.
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Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. |
01-08-2015, 09:30 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Nevada City, CA
Posts: 908
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Re: Front/rear suspension recipes 59"Apache 3100
If you don't mind running black steel wheels, I would look at the Crown Vic front suspension. It's got the same axle weight rating as the factory front end (so you can still use your truck as a truck), 12.4" front rotors, twin-pot calipers and it's a hell of a lot cheaper than most other IFS options. R&P steering, too. When I do my revision of the truck a few years down the road, this is the plan. The only hitch is that the track width is slightly wider than stock - using 6" back space wheels. Not too many options beyond the factory 16" steel.
Another "truck" option is to modify the frame so it will take a C10 cross member. The Hollister Road Company has a great web page detailing this swap. It's more involved than I want to try but the C10 suspension has more goodies available, you can tailor it for more widths and more heights, etc. MII kits vary in quality, price and design. I know very little about them except that I wanted to keep my weight rating up and I don't think the MII is a great choice for me. Camaro, Chrysler, etc frame clips are also possible. Rear end... If you don't mind 3.90 or 4.10 gears, the factory rear end is a good one. If you want 3.73 gears, disc brakes & the 5x5 pattern, a 99-04 Grand Cherokee (with V8, not I6) has a Dana 44 variant that is for you. Some even came with a pretty stout LSD. Late 60s C10 came with a 12 bolt that is about the right width. 6 lug IIRC. Some varieties of 14 bolt are about 63" wide, crazy strong, default 8 lug (though you can buy 6 lug hubs in the aftermarket)
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"Over my head" 1957 Chevy 3200, big rear window & 6 lug. Front disc, power steering, Vortec 4.8 / 4L60E swap, hydro boost brakes & patina. |
01-09-2015, 10:35 PM | #8 | |
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Under a bad sign
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Re: Front/rear suspension recipes 59"Apache 3100
Quote:
I won't say your wrong I haven't driven mine yet. I vote for new IFS instead of used whatever. Just make sure you mock everything up before you weld it solid. . |
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