Question between front clip or IFS

[jaws61]

HI Guys
I'm curious on what people think is a better way to go between front clip or IFS in a 55-59 truck,
I"ve read that clips are getting pricey and might be better off with the IFS,
I plan to drop a LS engine and make this truck my daily drive. I have yet to buy the truck so just looking for people opinions and thoughts what the plan best plan of action would be and thought this would be the best place to ask...
If there is any good sites or stuff spend it over I appreciate it.
Side note should I run a the 6.0 or a 5.3 LS??
THANKS!!!

[Speedbumpauto]

Search is your friend. The subject has been discussed ad-nauseam by lots of posts and hundreds of "opinions." I, myself, would never do a clip again in today's world even though I'm happy with what I have.

[Advanced Design]

Jaws 61, my input is to go with the IFS package and forget doing a subframe. The 5.3 is a great engine, more plentiful and probably cheaper than the 6.0. I have one of each and am really impressed with my 5.3.

[_Ogre]

like speedbump says... this has been discussed to death here
the guys with ifs say ifs, the guys with clips say clips

it's a lot easier to mount the sheet metal with ifs and i prefer using new vs 40 yr old parts

my 09 sierra has the 5.3L 310 hp and it gets decent mileage in a 5200 lb truck

[franken]

You might buy the truck and drive it a while before tearing it apart. One of the surest ways to make sure something never gets put back together is to take it apart.

[mr48chev]

I rather have to agree with Frankin on that one.

I've owned two rigs that I have subframed and while both drove great and I put a lot of miles on each including a road trip to Texas in each one I doubt seriously If I would subframe another rig unless the parts just fell in my lap and the vehicle was going to be a daily driver beater. The exception would be a 49/51 Mercury where a rear steer Camaro or Nova subframe works really well.

The big problem with subframes is that you end up spending a lot of time fitting the front end sheet metal on most rigs. The inner fenders on my 48 still have gapping holes where I trimmed them out to fit the Camaro stub in 1981 and it has run an I beam since 1989. The front end wasn't the reason for going back to a stock frame though. The problem on that frame was at the rear where we hung a coil spring suspension and warped the frame welding in spring buckets with the frame not being tied to a frame jig. Basically too much heat from farm boy welding in one spot for too long.
I didn't cover setting it up so the bumper fits but that is also a challenge.

Add to that is the simple fact that the majority of the 70 something subframes you find are worn out. Even with the most serious bargain hunting it runs close to 300 for just the parts and you are looking at around a thousand to have most tire shops front end shops do it. At least the one here would want that.

[2tractors]

I've purchased c4 vette ifs and irs for my 57 and hope to use the stock front cross member in order to SAVE the 1100 bucks for an after market one.
So far the only build I've seen in the archives is on an earlier chevy which has narrower rails. Flatout Engineering wins my vote using c4 and Heidts for the coil over stile. Progressive puts a ford steering unit under a chevy and besides that they were not very friendly to me.Took 2 emails before getting a response.

[Moline]

Keep in mind your re-sale options when you do a clip. As soon as the frame has been welded on (ir-regardless if it's been done right) it will no longer pass an alberta out of province inspection until it has a complete new frame under it.

[BIGglaSS]

Mr48 hit the nail on the head. 20 years ago, there weren't many affordable aftermarket options. Clips from donor cars were cheap and plentiful. Now the donors have dried up and are becoming "classics" commanding a higher premium. With that said, I will never do a clip again. I did a gen 2 camaro. It is too wide for what I want it to do. Took a lot of time and engineering to make it a seamless graft into the frame, and fit the front sheetmetal. Next one I do will be C4 corvette with a crossmember kit. But, there are a lot of recommended crossmember kits on this forum. Heidts, Fatman, TCI, Scott's to name a few.

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by Speedbumpauto

I, myself, would never do a clip again in today's world even though I'm happy with what I have.

I agree
Posted via Mobile Device

[Indian113]

Oh No don't tell me a clip is the wrong way to go!
I have a 76 Camaro clip beside my garage I want to put on a 58 Apache I'm dealing on. I've had this clip for 3 years just waiting on the right place to put it. My goal is to put 55 sheet metal on the front as I've found a parts truck with a good front end.

[fine69]

Too many IFS options nowdays to spend time welding on a subframe.

[ChuckDriver]

IFS, my vote would be C4!

[OrrieG]

Bolt on IFS. If you, or the next guy to own the truck, decides they do not like the ride, look, stance, etc. easy to reverse and change. I know around here the donors for clips are getting very hard to find.

[Indian113]

Orrie, that's why I have hung onto my Camaro Clip for so long. I've done Clips and I like the way they Look, Ride. also the stance is the main thing I like the most. It is a little bit of work hanging the sheet metal but I have a few tricks I use. I just need to buy a vehicle to put it on. My 64 has so many aftermarket suspension parts available I'm just going to upgrade it.

[Scottshotrods]

We have several option for all trucks and we pass on some forum discounts packages to all members on this forum.If you are in the market for a Quality built ifs that is made for your truck let us know.You can send us a e-mail at scotts@scottshotrods.com and we can help you out.

Justin