What is every ones thoughts on Ifs for 55-59 Chevy Trucks? What Do you recommend?

[GMtrucknut!!]

That looks like an awesome start on a great truck keep posting your progress as you go !

[GMtrucknut!!]

Here is my 55 I am currently building ,it has a TCI frontend with stock height spindles

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Thanks, your truck looks nice. Do you like the tci front end?

[dicer]

1957 has its own fenders. 55 and 56 fenders need to be dimpled for the 57 grill. I suppose you can either cut out or dimple 55-56 fenders or cut out the grill bracket.

IFS install? I would do it for someone else, for the right $, never on any of my trucks.
I really don't understand why someone wants to spend so much cash and time doing it.
I like a nice truck ride, and the sights you get to see sitting way up high, and not bending things when going over speed bumps, or the off road adventures, like when you have to park in a grass field for an event.

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Would a 55-56 grille work with the 55-56 fenders? I have a 57 hood. I don't want to buy new fenders.

It will not be so low that it scrapes. I will make sure of that.

[Kim57]

Originally Posted by 1957_Chevy_Truck

Would a 55-56 grille work with the 55-56 fenders? I have a 57 hood. I don't want to buy new fenders.

It will not be so low that it scrapes. I will make sure of that.

The 55-56 grill will work.
Also note the upper grille bar and the splash apron are also different
on the 57.
The 57 upper has the dimples in it for the grille and the lower has the grille mounting holes in a different location.
Kim

[DransportGarage]

I did a Fatman IFS. Nice kit. The service and support were great. 2 years after I had bought the unit I realized that a 2" drop was waaaay to low. They brought standard spindles to the Street Rod Nats and swapped with me, no charge. Here's the majority of the welding required:



Notice the boxed frame, which will be required. I did it with 6" x 3/16" steel from the scrap yard.

The C-notch wasn't too bad, but it left me longing for a plasma cutter instead of my acetylene torch. Worked out well though...





I don't have a great pic of the finished ass'y, but this will give you the idea:



This last pic will also make you appreciate how nice a truck you have!

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Thanks Kim. I think buying an upper grille bar and the splash apron is better than buying new fenders. I will try to find a used 55 or 56 grille at a swap meet this spring.

Looks great! Did you box the whole frame?

How did you guys remove the glass? I am ready to start on the glass so we can send the cab to get sandblasted.

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by 1957_Chevy_Truck

<snip>Looks great! Did you box the whole frame?

How did you guys remove the glass? I am ready to start on the glass so we can send the cab to get sandblasted.

Only the front is boxed right now, but there's more to come when I remove the cab next time.

Glass? What glass? I didn't get any glass with my truck. I guess that'll be important later. Seriously, when I did my '55 sedan (in 1980) I used a razor knife to cut the rubber seal on the inside of the windshield, then pushed the glass outward using my feet. Be careful, because you can cut your hands (or achilles tendons ) either on the ragged bead or with the knife. A helper to catch/lift the glass might be important if you're trying to save the glass. Same technique on the back glass, only you don't need to use your feet. For the door glass, follow the instructions in the service manual.

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Ok. Thanks, I have to do the windshield and the rear window. I plan to reuse both. I will have to buy new glass for the vent windows and doors. They are either cracked or the frame is completely rusted.

[DransportGarage]

Before you put a lot of $$s in "cozy wings" (that's old people talk for "vent windows"), take a look at this post on one-piece windows:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366078

Do this and not only is it cool, you'll save 10% toward your IFS!

[1957_Chevy_Truck]

I like the looks of the vent windows but I don't know if I like them enough to pay $600. I will have to think about it all. Where does the 10% off the ifs come in to play with that thread?

[Chris.]

Here are some pics of my scott's IFS I was telling you about, they give a discount for being a forum member
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[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Oh, ok. Looks like a fairly easy install. Scott's gives you a 10% discount for being a forum member? Have you driven it yet? I would like to know how they drive with bags. Did you get scotts superslam?

[Chris.]

It was easy to install. Here is a photo that shows the rest of the work, boxing plates that they supply and notches for the rack that they supply. It is the super slam IFS. They do give a discount and I'm almost positive it's 10 percent. I havn't driven it yet, the best person that I know of on here to ask about driving on it would be CHIZZLER he's got one on his finished suburban and he is putting one on a 40 pickup project
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[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Thanks. I will talk to him. Does he have a thread? I am new to air bags and the whole system of it. What size air tank are you going to use? Do you have air bags on the rear?

[Chris.]

This is his build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=404091 . The back of my truck is not bagged yet but is the next step on my project. I came from the bagged mini truck scene. I'll be running 6 gallons of air you don't need a lot if you don't plan on constantly adjusting it to show off. Bags can be complex or relatively simple, the front would be simple with this IFS as far as the rear if your dad is used to 4 links then you can do a little research together and figure out how to setup one for bags. They also make the same IFS with coil overs here's a link to one. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=546803 mine did not have the gap issue that his had.
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[1957_Chevy_Truck]

I got a lot of usefull info off of that thread. Also, I now think if I get an IFS that it will definitely be from scotts. I want to get the superslam but I don't think I will have the money to buy bags and an air tank. My dad will most likely want the coil overs. What is the minimum sized air tank you think I could get by with? I will not be adjusting it a lot, only maybe at shows, and if I need to get over a speed bump and stuff like that. The service seems great and the products they have seem high quality.

[GMtrucknut!!]

The greatest thing about this forum is I haven't found too many people with attitudes and everyone will try their best to give straight forward honest opinions. I chose my TCI frontend because of price ,ease of installation,and availability.Mine uses the T-bird rack instead of the mustang II so no rack extensions are required,which some say makes no difference.I viewed this as using adapters for the tie rods with the extensions.Basically all of the mustang II style fronts are the same design but the quality of parts with the kits are what makes the difference.When it all came down to decision time I called Fatman ,Heidts,and TCI . The salesperson with whom I spoke with at TCI was very knowledgeable and gave me some great info .Fatman as well was very informative ,either the person at Heidts was having a bad day or wasn't up to date but several questions were not answered by them which I thought were important to my installation. When TCI tossed in the power rack ,tubular control arms ,motor mounts and brake hoses that sealed the deal. Otherwise I would have went with the Fatman setup. Goodluck with your build and keep posting the pictures !

[Chris.]

I'm glad you are starting to get closer to knowing what you want. The smallest tank I'de use would be 5 gallons and a 100% duty cycle compressor. The Scotts kit comes with everything shown so you'd get bags with it and there is no shame in bagging the front (as long as it's done right) and just lowering the rear until you get more money together to bag the rear. As far a scotts as a company there service great when I called I told them plans I was concidering and shortly told them my story and they answered all my questions. And as for quality I have ordered for myself and seen my friends custom suspension stuff for mini trucks and have seen some quality stuff but when my scotts stuff came I couldn't believe how nice it was.

Keep us updated
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[1957_Chevy_Truck]

Chris, That is probally what I will try to do. I will bag the front with the superslam. What is the advantage with the shockwave bags? I will probally just flip the leaf springs in the back or remove leafs. I am starting to get excited about this build now. I can't wait until the snow melts and we can move the cars around and give me enough room to work on it in the garage.

Truck Nut, I love this forum and I will keep the pictures comming.

[CHIZZLER]

let me just say that the scotts superslam front kit is a very good made product.lots of adjustability.very easy to install and rides like a dream.most of the time when im bookin down the freeway at 75+ 2" off the ground people are lookin at me like what the f***.yes it did take a lot of work to get the truck this low and i know its not for everyone.just do what you want and dont take anyones opinions to seriously.there are alot of good people on here that are willing to help you along the way.good luck.chizzler

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by 1957_Chevy_Truck

I like the looks of the vent windows but I don't know if I like them enough to pay $600. I will have to think about it all. Where does the 10% off the ifs come in to play with that thread?

I just meant that you'd save money by not having to buy the cozy wings, and overall I guessed the savings might be around $200 (maybe more, maybe less, but you get the idea).

...and Chizzler is right -- in the end, it's your truck. Do YOUR thing, not someone else's!

[Chris.]

Originally Posted by 1957_Chevy_Truck

Chris, That is probally what I will try to do. I will bag the front with the superslam. What is the advantage with the shockwave bags? I will probally just flip the leaf springs in the back or remove leafs. I am starting to get excited about this build now. I can't wait until the snow melts and we can move the cars around and give me enough room to work on it in the garage.

Do what you think is right and works for you and your dad. I do however think reguardless of what you decide as far as bags or coil over you will be happy with Scotts
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[1957_Chevy_Truck]

I love your truck chizzler. What is the difference between shockwave air bags and regular bags?
If I get the money I will get a scotts ifs.
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