4x4 conversion, IFS or not?

[Rogier]

Hi Guys, just to introduce myself, I bought a 81 c20 and want to build the ultimate truck for my usage.

I want to spend 90% of time on the highway with the cruising speed being about 85 MPH and I want to use it 10% of the time for driving it through snow and icy roads. I will never take it out into the mud or on a trail. I will not lift the car and I will use the max tire size available over here, 31inch. This requires 4x4 and a locker and overdrive. I've already got a 4l80e and 4x4 NP unit. I will find a locker.

Before stepping into straight axle or IFS for my front end, I'm curious about your opinion! IFS drives great..

[Pyrotechnic]

IFS would be a lot of work to swap in. I'm sure it's possible to adapt the IFS from a 88-98 truck...maybe even the whole front section of the frame, but I just don't think it would be worth the time and trouble for what you would gain. The frame width is wider on a 88-98 truck so you would be looking at a good amount of fabrication.

I would recommend a solid axle for sure, and if you are concerned about ride quality then build a custom 4 link front suspension with coil springs, much like you see on Dodge trucks and Jeep SUV's. This way you get the durability and simplicity of a solid axle with a smoother ride.

[andrewmp6]

There is a bolt in 4 link kit for the front http://offroadltd.com/mm5/merchant.m...ct_Code=ORLK6C or if you don't mind welding http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/Fro...Conversion.htm

[Rogier]

Thanks guys, that is an impressive piece of kit. Also quite an expensive option... Something I can do to make the standard solid axle perform better on highway? I've been looking and the only thing I found was velvet ride, this appears to be off the market.

Anyone other suggestions?

[andrewmp6]

There is kits to run the 52 springs in the front they are normally the rear springs.The 52s in the front do flex a lot more so it might smooth out the ride but not sure how much smoother.Look around on the 4x4 part of the forum they might know better then me how to soften up the ride for you.

[meter swinger]

Kinda sounds like you want to increase the handling and control of the truck as well as a smooth ride. Good shocks and spring set ups as mentioned should help some. I would get get on the 4x4 section of the board and talk to the guys that run trucks in the winter and see what tips they may have. I park mine when its icy... I hate winter.
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[Rogier]

Ended up going for the solid axle from a K30 donor truck. I've got several shocks and springs available to test. When that is all 'perfect' I will look into support air bags to smoothen the ride.

Isn't this a great hobby!

[Mr. 250r]

Although i have no personal experience with b52s I've seen a lot of people say they increase body roll a lot and flex obviously and someone on here has them and he likes them quite a bit i think

As far as riding smooth on a straight axle that doesn't exactly happen but your best bet is soft ride springs from rough or tuff country or whoever makes those and then this nifty setup on the front http://coloradok5.com/ranchoreview.shtml

And as far as air bags i don't think they're much for the ride as compared to help the ability to haul loads from my experience on two different trucks they ride didn't change

[Edahall]

For a smooth ride, use undersized front leaf springs (such as from a 1/2 ton truck) and use air bags to lift it up to the right height. Also, use larger size air bags that have lots of volume.

[cumminclouds]

I have to agree with Edahall I didn't think you could put airbags underneath the front but I would stick with a Straight front end. Alot of the bouncing and beating you to death comes from the rear end of our trucks, if you want proof of it put weight in the back of your truck and see how much better it rides. Try putting worn-in leafs in the back or air-bags..

[Rogier]

Originally Posted by Edahall

For a smooth ride, use undersized front leaf springs (such as from a 1/2 ton truck) and use air bags to lift it up to the right height. Also, use larger size air bags that have lots of volume.

Exactly my plan, but first I want to make sure all the parts work in standard setup. Only thing I don't see is a kit made for the k30 front suspension..

[Edahall]

For the rears, take some leaves out of the spring pack and use air bags to lift it back up to the proper height.