IFS front

[tubbed55]

Been looking at IFS front ends in the magazines. I see they offer stock or 2" drop spindles. Is the stock the original truck height because it seems it will still be much lower then stock suspension? I want my truck lower in the front but not slammed.

[mr48chev]

Stock is the stock height for that particular spindle. With the 2-1/2 in dropped spindle the truck would sit 2-1/2 in lower w/o cutting the springs.

Probably the best thing would be to talk to the tech rep from the mfg you want to buy the cross member from and give info such as
I have this model of truck=
I want to run this tire and wheel combination=
I am going to run this engine and trans combination=
I want the truck to ride and sit at this height=

Then see what they suggest.

[jkaylor68gmc]

Yeah and I would recommend FatMan Fabrications, just got mine for the '52 last week, went coil-overs and 2.5 drop spindles. If you go coi-overs you can adjust ride height a little.

[solidaxel]

Another one for AD trucks is
Industrial Chassis Inc
These use a 86 to 90 Dodge Dakota bolt ons!

Lets try that again,
Industrial Chassis Inc

[56chevy1300]

I remember reading somewhere that an IFS will lower the truck 3-4 inches w/o lowered spindles.

[solidaxel]

I guess a good measurment would be the center line of the spindel to the bottom of the frame at the spindel, with a solid axle and the Mll or any aftermarket IFS. They should be measured with the same height tires

[mylow53]

heres an ifs with 2" drop spindels. i have arround a 1/4 inch clearance from the concrete to the oil pan. i think i could "lay" crossmember if i really wanted to....

[Dinos63]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Another one for AD trucks is
Industrial Chassis Inc
These use a 86 to 90 Dodge Dakota bolt ons!

Lets try that again,
Industrial Chassis Inc

Steve does nice work

[Dinos63]

What size tires and wheels are you going to run? you may think about that before you lower your truck. and how you want it to sit

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by mylow53

heres an ifs with 2" drop spindels. i have arround a 1/4 inch clearance from the concrete to the oil pan. i think i could "lay" crossmember if i really wanted to....

how much of a difference would you see if you used coil overs instead of a airbag set up? awsome truck by the way.

[mylow53]

Originally Posted by 68c10owner

how much of a difference would you see if you used coil overs instead of a airbag set up? awsome truck by the way.

i'm just guessing the coil overs should be adjustable as well. they might have a bump stop lower than mine... the way the airbags are i can trim a 1/4" off the top of the bag mounting tube. the thing that bolts to the air bag then connects to your frame... and drop it futher... but as it is it's undrivable all the way down, so why try to damage the tranz or engine... thanks by the way
GT

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by mylow53

i'm just guessing the coil overs should be adjustable as well. they might have a bump stop lower than mine... the way the airbags are i can trim a 1/4" off the top of the bag mounting tube. the thing that bolts to the air bag then connects to your frame... and drop it futher... but as it is it's undrivable all the way down, so why try to damage the tranz or engine... thanks by the way
GT

I guess I ment to say, how much higher would it sit with standard shocks and 2" spindles over the airbag set up? I installed a MII set up on my old 57 chevy pu and it dropped the front frame 13" from stock height without a motor in it. With stock spindles and a flip kit in the rear the cab was about my chest level and I`m 6' tall. I don`t know if the 47-55 frames would sit any different than my old 57. I`m still trying to get a old truck froma friend of mine,50-53?, and was wondering about the ride height. I like them low but not so low that you can`t drive them everyday and i`m not into the airbag set up.

[Dinos63]

Heres my 51 air ride with shock waves 2"drop spindels camaro front clip 18and20s

[bondobob]

If you dig through some of the IRS company sites you will find technical specs that show the spindle height vs: the top of the frame (or call them). My FatMan kit with dropped spindles puts the center line 1" down from the top of the frame so with standard spindles you would be 2" higher. It shouldn't matter whether you have air bags or coil overs. I made "tires" out of cardboard and then 3/4" plywood to mock up my ride height. The weird thing about my '57 is the bottom of the frame is 5" higher than the bottom of the front fenders behind the tires. So when deciding about ride height keep that area in mind. At ride height I should have 5" under my cross member and 5" at the fender. Low enough for me. Another thing to look at is the total width of the front end and how wide of a rim and what offset you will need.

[twinturbo51]

I am running a heidts IFS on my 51 with bags. I only have 15's on my truck so the crossmember lays flat on the ground.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by twinturbo51

I am running a heidts IFS on my 51 with bags. I only have 15's on my truck so the crossmember lays flat on the ground.

Now that is a awsome truck. I love that look.

[twinturbo51]

Thanks Anthony more the compliment. Think of the money I will save on polish!!

[68c10owner]

yeah no kidding. I`ve been trying to get this old truck from a lder friend of mine. It`s a 47-53, not sure on the year, but it`s in a better shape than yours is but i wish it was in the same condition. Is that crazy or what? I love the patina look especially when it`s earned.

[Bills_49]

but when we are talking about these systems, which are the most user friendly? i have been looking around for a set up myself but i cant come to pick one. when i say user friendly i mean, easier to install.

[robin58]

Easiest would probably be bolt-in from someone like RB's Auto. Other than that there pretty much all alike IMHO as far as ease of installation goes.

[BruceR&C]

This is my wife's '47. Used a Fat Man Fab IFS w/stock spindles & took out 2 coils. Front bumper sits about 3 5/8" off the concrete. May go with coilovers to get a bit more hight out of it.

[Bills_49]

i know its more money in the long run but, can u buy a crossmember then just add you're own upper and lower control arms? or is there a year of car where i can just get them and weld them to a mount? i dunno just checkin my options, havin a hard time findin a deal.

[BruceR&C]

All the aftermarket manufacturers sell the crossmember seperately & you can either buy their hub-to-hub kit or use paieces from 74-78 Mustang II's. I did the hub-to-hub as I wanted to be able to not use the strut rod that the stock MII suspensions use.

[jplasse]

there are deals out there... Keep hunting.. I picked up a new TCI mustang II kit brand new in bare steel for 800