1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Coach529

How am I supposed to make millions selling these things if I give away all my secrets.

Well, 'ya know at $1 each you'd have to sell a couple million. I suggest you shoot for selling only one for a couple million!

Coach, Maybe this will help you some:

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

The KYBs are great shocks. You might want to save the leafs you pulled and watch the current pack after you drive it a week. If the start to flatten, put the others back in. Stance looks great, how about a full shot?
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I love the stance.....as long as it doesn't rub. I guess I will know in a couple weeks when my Hurst's show up!!

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Well, 'ya know at $1 each you'd have to sell a couple million. I suggest you shoot for selling only one for a couple million!

Coach, Maybe this will help you some:

Thanks for the pick....make sense now!!

[G&R's57GMC]

Here's a friends AD check out the wheels they match the running boards.

[NEWFISHER]

Very nice
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[focusedontheprize]

I really like the stance Coach. Haha when I first put the truck down on the ground after doing the swap, it sat a lot lower than I originally expected, but it grew on me.

Can't wait to see Henry with the new shoes on.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by focusedontheprize

I really like the stance Coach. Haha when I first put the truck down on the ground after doing the swap, it sat a lot lower than I originally expected, but it grew on me.

Can't wait to see Henry with the new shoes on.

I love it as long as it does not rub. I only have about 2" of front travel after I cut the bump stops. My gut is telling me I will have to add at least 1 of the springs back into the spring pack.

[Coach529]

I am overthinking this for sure.....but I will have to add those leaves back. Right now I am 7" to the bottom of the front bumper.

I will loose another 1-1/2" to 2" with my new Hurst Racing Whitewalls.

Low is good.......but I need to be practical!!

Thoughts....comments...concerns!!

[NEWFISHER]

Comments: I originally pulled leafs and immediately put them back in. They are new packs, but just didn't feel right ( thought they would sag out) and I reinstalled them. The Burb is low enough to look good and high enough to clear everything.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

Comments: I originally pulled leafs and immediately put them back in. They are new packs, but just didn't feel right ( thought they would sag out) and I reinstalled them. The Burb is low enough to look good and high enough to clear everything.

Ultimately this thing has to be a driver= Meaning practical.

Even with my leaves back it's still going to be pretty awesome I think. The springs are 63 years old and sacked out anyway.
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[Dan in Pasadena]

Have you researched having them re-arched? Then everything under there would be fresh. I always wonder; if they sag will it be evenly.

Coach & Newfisher: Care to comment subjectively for us guys that are on the fence about an I beam front axle vs. a switch to IFS? I KNOW IFS is "better" in most ways but I see early cars; street rods mostly and I think they're running (mostly) stock suspension. I beams, transverse springs, hairpins, etc. I wonder if in 20 years guys in this hobby will be cursing us who cut the front of our frame off for a Camaro clip!
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[Russell Ashley]

"I wonder if in 20 years guys in this hobby will be cursing us who cut the front of our frame off for a Camaro clip!"

Dicer is doing that already, LOL.

Just ragging you a little, Dicer. I always enjoy reading your posts.

[focusedontheprize]

Originally Posted by Coach529

I am overthinking this for sure.....but I will have to add those leaves back. Right now I am 7" to the bottom of the front bumper.

I will loose another 1-1/2" to 2" with my new Hurst Racing Whitewalls.

Low is good.......but I need to be practical!!

Thoughts....comments...concerns!!

Correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't your main concern be the axle as it is the lowest point?

How are you losing another 1 1/2 to 2" with the new wheels? You have that tall of a tire on it now?

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Have you researched having them re-arched? Then everything under there would be fresh. I always wonder; if they sag will it be evenly.

Coach & Newfisher: Care to comment subjectively for us guys that are on the fence about an I beam front axle vs. a switch to IFS? I KNOW IFS is "better" in most ways but I see early cars; street rods mostly and I think they're running (mostly) stock suspension. I beams, transverse springs, hairpins, etc. I wonder if in 20 years guys in this hobby will be cursing us who cut the front of our frame off for a Camaro clip!
Posted via Mobile Device

I have not research having them rearched. I would probably just get a new set or scavenge some off a junked truck!!

Personally I am not a fan of clipping or even the whole S-10 chassis thing. I like the fact my truck is sitting on the stock chassis.

IFS vs. Solid axle. 50% of my decision was based on $$$$. A Fatman IFS system was double what I paid for my Sid's front set up. Plus then you have to deal with power steering, and if I had IFS I would want to be on bags. More $$$$. If I had the budget I probably would have went IFS, even though it would have been a moral struggle.

My Dad always wanted this thing restored original. Unfortunately he is not around for me to debate about it. I came up with the best compromise I could I on the matter. I think he would approve!!

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by focusedontheprize

Correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't your main concern be the axle as it is the lowest point?

How are you losing another 1 1/2 to 2" with the new wheels? You have that tall of a tire on it now?

That is true......the axle height will still differ if I change the springs. The tires on it now are 28" and change. The Hancooks are supposed to be 26" and change.

Thinking i need more than 5" at the bumper and 2" of travel.

Plus I want the running boards to be very close to parallel with the ground. Little or no rake front to back. I do not think I can get the rear end that low without affecting bed floor height which is not an option..\

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Have you researched having them re-arched? Then everything under there would be fresh. I always wonder; if they sag will it be evenly.

Coach & Newfisher: Care to comment subjectively for us guys that are on the fence about an I beam front axle vs. a switch to IFS? I KNOW IFS is "better" in most ways but I see early cars; street rods mostly and I think they're running (mostly) stock suspension. I beams, transverse springs, hairpins, etc. I wonder if in 20 years guys in this hobby will be cursing us who cut the front of our frame off for a Camaro clip!
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Straight vs. IFS, If you do it like Coach and I , it does cost a bit. I even have 4 completely new leaf packs, shackles, plates, shocks, tapered bearings, new kings/pins etc. So I am very close to IFS. I like how the springs in the seat feel when driving the Burb or the Apache I had while looking out across the hood. I drive the Burb most every day and park my 2005 Crew Chevy, because I feel good driving an older rig.

If I was to change to IFS, I would have to change how I feel about an older truck. Sure it would ride smoother, drop lower etc but I have that and and a few others in the driveway. To me, IFS is superior in ride, handling and parts replacement once installed and probobly safer. 27 OEM companies building cars and 1/2 ton trucks didn't change because it wasn't any of these right?

If you like the look and feel of an old truck-go straihght axle

If you like the look , but feel of a new truck -go IFS

If you are like me and have an old truck that you like, but want something bagged and laying frame--own 2

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

If you are like me and have an old truck that you like, but want something bagged and laying frame--own 2

I can see that 100%. I am already searching for project #2.

[Coach529]

OK.........my Fire Bird rear end turned up no good. Bearings shot and a pound of metal stuck to the magnet. It was the wrong ratio anyway, 2.73.

Sitting just a couple vehicles down was a 1997 4 x 4 blazer with a GU6 rear end. 3:43. Perfect!!

Ran out of time today....had to pick up the kids at school. Tomorrow AM hopefully!!

[NEWFISHER]

Same bolt pattern as the front?

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

Same bolt pattern as the front?

Good question. It is 5 bolt.

Google search turns up 5 on 4-3/4".

[NEWFISHER]

I love google

[Coach529]

Now help me with my driveshaft question......google is failing me. :-(

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by Coach529

IFS vs. Solid axle. 50% of my decision was based on $$$$. A Fatman IFS system was double what I paid for my Sid's front set up. Plus then you have to deal with power steering, and if I had IFS I would want to be on bags. More $$$$.

I just wanted to chime in for Dan that they do also make manual racks for the IFS's. Coach is right that power stearing can be a headache to set up so there is always a manual rack option if you go IFS. Power just makes it easyer to turn going slow (parking).

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Root2812

I just wanted to chime in for Dan that they do also make manual racks for the IFS's. Coach is right that power stearing can be a headache to set up so there is always a manual rack option if you go IFS. Power just makes it easyer to turn going slow (parking).

Good to know.....thanks!!

[Coach529]

Henry's old HO72 is out........heavy bugger.



New rear end mock up tomorrow!!! :-)