Dutch '59 Fleetside Longbed

[Kim57]

Pics look fine.
Kim

[OneOffStroker]

I have to tell you to be extra careful when pulling the springs out of that Jag front end. They are the stiffest springs I've ever met, and getting them out is a little tricky. A regular spring compressor does not fit, so you need to use a very big threaded rod, or find the correct Jag tool for the job. It is scary for sure.

[RockinKees]

OneOffStroker, as a matter of fact, I bought the IFS with one side loose, the upper A-arm had no bolts.
I did get it in last monday with a threaded stud through the middle of the spring and two glue clamps.
It worked, but slowly.





I better didn't do this, because I now have to get it apart again...
My plan was put the IFS in one piece under the truck, put some wheels on and measure rideheight.
But the IFS will not go in one piece under it...upper A-arm mountings are not clearing framerails.

So I studied some pics I found on the allmighty interweb and went ahead with plan two: dismantle the truck right away and then unbolt the IFS and put it under the truck.
Then bolt it together again and put some weight on the front and then measure rideheight

Hope it works out the way I want regarding the rideheight.
As I look at all the pics, I think it must be okay.

So, today was demolitionday:



Workshop get a bit full with all the parts lying around




Have to grind the motormount loose to get the engine out. PO had an aftermarket motormount welded in. I will make new motormounts and use this one as a transmount ( I hope...)

This was a usefull day, only broke two bolts

[oldman3]

Looks like you got alot done, good luck with the front end...Jim

[OneOffStroker]

I cut little notches into the upper a-arm mounts so that it would fit the frame rails. I had to go into them about 3/4 of an inch. I also had to grind some clearances on the top of the frame because the rear upper a arm bushing lightly contacts the frame there. You will see what I mean when you get it in there.

I'm pretty sure that I have photos of all these details in my build thread. If not, I can add them.

[reaper71]

Pretty cool Kees!!
keep after it, looking forward to see the progress as the old girl grows up

[RockinKees]

Thank you, Jim and Mark!
This went pretty well

OneOffStroker, I went through your build again (and again and again )
but what do mean by the little notches in the upper A-arms?
Can you show me?
Did you took the upper A-arms off when fitting the IFS?
Or slide it over the framerails?

I'm aware of the notches in the upper framerails, everbody with Jag IFS has them made.

This afternoon the engine has to come out and then I will try and get the IFS under the truck and see how it fits.....

[bubba1955]

Originally Posted by RockinKees

Thank you, Jim and Mark!
This went pretty well

OneOffStroker, I went through your build again (and again and again )
but what do mean by the little notches in the upper A-arms?
Can you show me?
Did you took the upper A-arms off when fitting the IFS?
Or slide it over the framerails?

I'm aware of the notches in the upper framerails, everbody with Jag IFS has them made.

This afternoon the engine has to come out and then I will try and get the IFS under the truck and see how it fits.....

Here's a photo of a '57 Chevy truck with the top of the frame notched to clear the upper bushings. Hope this helps. BTW, do you plan on "soft mounting" the IFS using the factory Jag mounts or welding it in solid?

[Advanced Design]

Looking forward to seeing the front end test fitted in. Great progress!

[bubba1955]

Here's a '58 with the Jag crossmember installed, apparently high enough to clear the upper bushing. Here's the build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=628283

[RockinKees]

Thanks Bubba1955, that notch is clear to me, I know that I have to do those. I will weld the IFS in.

But after measuring the framerails and the width of the front end sheetmetal, I think I know what OneOffStroker was talking about.
I have to grind a little bit out of the sheetmetal at the "underside" of the IFS, where the metal hits the frame.
No big deal, just measure a few times and then grind

I now have the engine out and took off the steering, e-brake and shockmountsbrackets.
So now we have place for an IFS



This piece of metal has to go under the framerails...



If you look closely you see what must be modified on the IFS to mount it properly



Brackets off, steering gone...

[oldman3]

Moving right along...Jim

[Kim57]

Nice progress.
Kim

[OneOffStroker]

Kees - Here is a thread of what and where I notched for the Jag to fit into my frame. About halfway down, he has pictures of the little notch he made to fit it into a 34" frame. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...o-f100.571296/

Here is mine, all welded in. I think I am going to add a few more filler pieces and do some more welding now that I have the frame up in the air.



I hope this info helps. I think it is a better way to go than removing the crossmember and squeezing the frame to make the Jag fit. If you did that, then you would have problems with the radiator support mounts and bumper mounts. It would be hard to get your front sheetmetal aligned if you did that.

[RockinKees]

Thanks OneOff,

Thanks for your pics! The thread about the F100 was known by me
I allready saw where to notch the IFS, at the bottom where the IFS meets the framerails.

I do not squeeze the frame, but I will notch it.

One thing: did you dissamble the upper A-arms before putting the axle under the frame?
Or did you slide it over from the front to where it supposed to be??

[OneOffStroker]

Kees,

I did take the upper arms off and brought the crossmember straight up. This is why I had to take the springs out the first time. That was also the worst experience ever, because I did not have the proper tools to do it, as I mentioned earlier.

I would think that sliding it from the front would create its own problems, especially since we know that the frame needs to be notched for a-arm clearance, I would think it will get stuck several times before it gets to where it needs to be.

[RockinKees]

Okay, thanks!
I thought so...maybe better, can put some paint at it at once

I also made my own tool to put the control arms together, now I have to take them apart again
At least I know how that works

I gonna try this first thing in the morning, tomorrow, and see if it's working the way I want it.
Hope to get the IFS in his place by the end of the day, so I can start welding.

[RockinKees]

I did reach my goal yesterday, I managed to get the IFS where I wanted it.

First I took the controlarms off and grinded little notches in the lower corners to clear the framerails.







Then I test fitted the IFS, it fits the framerails real good, but the stock X-member is in the way to get it at its place...



I tacked in a temporary x-member and got the X-member out





With the IFS 3/4" further to the front, I'm now happy with the way the wheel sits in the fender





The upper controlarm mount also clears the framerails





It's now 10 o clock in the morning overhere, I hope I get it completely welded in today, so I'm off now!

[Kim57]

Nice progress.
Looks good.
Kim

[reaper71]

Very cool Kees!! nice work..

[oldman3]

Looks good, will be waiting to see what you get done today...Jim

[RockinKees]

After a few hours of grinding and welding, the IFS has a new home

I first made all the gussets that I needed and tacked them in after I tacked the front axle in its place.

This the outside front gusset:



The outside back gusset:



There also are metal gussets at the inside, from framerails to the axle sheetmetal, unfortunately didn't took pics of these...
But if you look good enough, you see them.



I welded all the pieces together as I think it should







Next on the list is some boxing of the framerails, I've got two plates 18 inch long and 1/4 inch thick. I think that should do the job.
Remember, it will not be a dragracer, but more of a dailydriver...

I don't know my route yet, will put the rack & pinion and front wheel on, so I can roll a bit.
I think I'm going to make the IRS first and then the enginemounts. I then know where the engine is going to be.
Well, we'll see

[Kim57]

Looks real good.
Kim

[RockinKees]

Thank you Sir!!
I do my best

[Advanced Design]

Looks like you had a good day! Nice progress Kees.