55.2-59 IFS stock height spindle or 2 inch drop. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PDW HOTRODS · 01-23-2022, 03:41 PM

Does anyone have pics of 55-59 trucks with stock height spindle compared to 2 inch drop spindles? Some of the IFS kits offer the option but don't have picks to compare. I like it lower than stock but don't want to drag on speed bumps. Thanks.

**bosco** · 01-24-2022, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDW HOTRODS

Does anyone have pics of 55-59 trucks with stock height spindle compared to 2 inch drop spindles? Some of the IFS kits offer the option but don't have picks to compare. I like it lower than stock but don't want to drag on speed bumps. Thanks.

I started out with a stock height spindles with my IFS, then changed to the 2" drop spindles. Really like the stance. Also when I dropped the front I also dropped the rear 2".

PDW HOTRODS · 01-24-2022, 11:31 PM

Is the top pic M2 ifs with stock height spindles? I thought it would look more like the bottom pic.

_Ogre · 01-26-2022, 12:23 AM

Look at my build thread, TRUK has a fatman mustII with stock spindles.
I dare say that TRUK would probably bottom out with 2" drop spindles
I'm traveling and don't have access to any pictures

**bosco** · 01-28-2022, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDW HOTRODS

Is the top pic M2 ifs with stock height spindles? I thought it would look more like the bottom pic.

Correct. Top pic is M2 IFS stock height spindles. I replaced spindles with the 2" drop version. Even though the wheels changed they are the same diameter overall.

**mr48chev** · 01-28-2022, 07:15 PM

True it takes some work to swap spindles after the truck is all together and driving but I'd do just as Bosco did, put it together with the stock spindles, drive it and decide if I wanted it lower. On all clean parts you are looking at between a half hour and an hour on each side to swap them.

**bosco** · 01-28-2022, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

True it takes some work to swap spindles after the truck is all together and driving but I'd do just as Bosco did, put it together with the stock spindles, drive it and decide if I wanted it lower. On all clean parts you are looking at between a half hour and an hour on each side to swap them.

Spot on it took me an hour per side, but worth the new ride height.

PDW HOTRODS · 01-31-2022, 01:20 PM

I used M2 on the red 1950 and stock height spindles and I liked how it sat. no space over the front tire. I was thinking of getting a 1957 Shot bed truck and trying to make a plan before I even looked at it. I went and looked at it Saturday and got it. It came with a Camaro subframe so I might use it. I have done quit a few subframes on trucks so I know how it would sit. Just haven't done M2 on a 55-59. I like the subframes and attaching to the frame is easy, but it's always a pain up front for the core support and bumper. Name: IMG_1126.jpg
Views: 492
Size: 66.3 KB

Name: IMG_1126.jpg
Views: 492
Size: 66.3 KB

**bosco** · 01-31-2022, 04:43 PM

I have not dealt with a sub frame install before, but the M2 went right in easy. Looks like you should go with the Drop spindles based on the ride height on your red truck. You can get M2 IFS with adjustable coil overs and lower exactly where you want the height. Either direction look forward to following your project.

57tailgater · 02-02-2022, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosco

I started out with a stock height spindles with my IFS, then changed to the 2" drop spindles. Really like the stance. Also when I dropped the front I also dropped the rear 2".

Bosco - what size and diameter tires do you have on the front? I am thinking a 2" drop is about what I would like as well but with a straight axle. Thx.

**bosco** · 02-02-2022, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57tailgater

Bosco - what size and diameter tires do you have on the front? I am thinking a 2" drop is about what I would like as well but with a straight axle. Thx.

I am running 235/55 17 with diameter of 27.2"

Missyblue · 02-03-2022, 12:09 PM

So I did fulltilt coilspring kit with stock spindles. And mine sits way lower than the previous. It's still in pieces but I'll attach some photos for ideas. I pulled 2 rear leafs and did 2 I ch drop shackles in the rear and I'm hoping ill only have minor rake. And my body can barely squeeze under the truck and I'm only 140 lbs. My front crossmember is only 7.5 inches off the ground currently
I'm hoping to get fenders on soon and can get you better photos. But you can see my front tire is seated into the fender not having the top visible like the other truck. Not sure why they would be so different. Photos of my mustang ii just in case it shows differences.

57tailgater · 02-03-2022, 12:25 PM

Here ya go:

Missyblue · 02-03-2022, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57tailgater

Here ya go:

Thank you. Do you know how I can fix it? Not sure why they flip on me sometimes?

57tailgater · 02-03-2022, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosco

I am running 235/55 17 with diameter of 27.2"

Thx!!

57tailgater · 02-03-2022, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missyblue

Thank you. Do you know how I can fix it? Not sure why they flip on me sometimes?

Are you using your phone? If so is an iPhone? Look here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=818026
After you take your pic, open it up on your phone and see how it’s oriented. You should be able to edit and rotate it on your phone.

dsraven · 02-05-2022, 10:12 AM

I suggest to anyone doing an IFS install to first read up on IFS steering geometry so you get the thing right. when at ride height pay attention to the angle of the control arms. the lower control arm should be level side to side, now look at the upper control arm. some are already at a pretty steep angle downwards towards the pivot point. now, when the suspension goes up over a bump, the wheel angles inward quite a bit due to the arc that the short upper control arm makes in comparison the longer lower control arm. this allows the tire to miss the fender but also can affect the steering and cause the tires to scrub across the pavement, if you follow what I mean. on the MII I installed I was given the wrong cross member so it didn't fit the frame properly. with no real help from the supplier I got out some of my old mechanics trade books, looked at many online sites and delved into the geometry thing to understand how things should be set up to work and be safe. I fitted and tacked in the cross member, assembled the parts, checked angles and changed some things to be more like what is suggested by steering engineers. on the heidt's online catalogue site there is a tech article that helps "undertsanding IFS" and it is really worth the read. of course there are lots more online articles if you really want to get into it.
my 57, with a TCI cross member and kit, modified slightly so it would fit the frame, with 28" tall tires, sat at about 6 inches off the floor at the front of the rocker and with a rake angle of 2 deg. I think the cross member was pushed up into the frame about three quarters of an inch more than it was supposed to be in order to get it to fit properly.
hope that helps somebody tuned in here

01-23-2022, 03:41 PM	#1
PDW HOTRODS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sutherlin Oregon Posts: 502	IFS stock height spindle or 2 inch drop. Does anyone have pics of 55-59 trucks with stock height spindle compared to 2 inch drop spindles? Some of the IFS kits offer the option but don't have picks to compare. I like it lower than stock but don't want to drag on speed bumps. Thanks.

01-24-2022, 11:31 PM	#3
PDW HOTRODS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sutherlin Oregon Posts: 502	Re: IFS stock height spindle or 2 inch drop. Is the top pic M2 ifs with stock height spindles? I thought it would look more like the bottom pic.

01-26-2022, 12:23 AM	#4
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: IFS stock height spindle or 2 inch drop. Look at my build thread, TRUK has a fatman mustII with stock spindles. I dare say that TRUK would probably bottom out with 2" drop spindles I'm traveling and don't have access to any pictures __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

01-28-2022, 07:15 PM	#6
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: IFS stock height spindle or 2 inch drop. True it takes some work to swap spindles after the truck is all together and driving but I'd do just as Bosco did, put it together with the stock spindles, drive it and decide if I wanted it lower. On all clean parts you are looking at between a half hour and an hour on each side to swap them. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

01-31-2022, 01:20 PM	#8
PDW HOTRODS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sutherlin Oregon Posts: 502	Re: IFS stock height spindle or 2 inch drop. I used M2 on the red 1950 and stock height spindles and I liked how it sat. no space over the front tire. I was thinking of getting a 1957 Shot bed truck and trying to make a plan before I even looked at it. I went and looked at it Saturday and got it. It came with a Camaro subframe so I might use it. I have done quit a few subframes on trucks so I know how it would sit. Just haven't done M2 on a 55-59. I like the subframes and attaching to the frame is easy, but it's always a pain up front for the core support and bumper.

01-31-2022, 04:43 PM	#9
bosco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Temescal Valley, CA Posts: 234	Re: IFS stock height spindle or 2 inch drop. I have not dealt with a sub frame install before, but the M2 went right in easy. Looks like you should go with the Drop spindles based on the ride height on your red truck. You can get M2 IFS with adjustable coil overs and lower exactly where you want the height. Either direction look forward to following your project.

02-03-2022, 12:09 PM	#12
Missyblue Registered User Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Fruita, co Posts: 243	Re: IFS stock height spindle or 2 inch drop. So I did fulltilt coilspring kit with stock spindles. And mine sits way lower than the previous. It's still in pieces but I'll attach some photos for ideas. I pulled 2 rear leafs and did 2 I ch drop shackles in the rear and I'm hoping ill only have minor rake. And my body can barely squeeze under the truck and I'm only 140 lbs. My front crossmember is only 7.5 inches off the ground currently I'm hoping to get fenders on soon and can get you better photos. But you can see my front tire is seated into the fender not having the top visible like the other truck. Not sure why they would be so different. Photos of my mustang ii just in case it shows differences. Attached Images Last edited by Rickysnickers; 02-04-2022 at 11:24 AM.

02-03-2022, 12:25 PM	#13
57tailgater Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 309	Re: IFS stock height spindle or 2 inch drop. Here ya go: Attached Images

02-05-2022, 10:12 AM	#17
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 8,323	Re: IFS stock height spindle or 2 inch drop. I suggest to anyone doing an IFS install to first read up on IFS steering geometry so you get the thing right. when at ride height pay attention to the angle of the control arms. the lower control arm should be level side to side, now look at the upper control arm. some are already at a pretty steep angle downwards towards the pivot point. now, when the suspension goes up over a bump, the wheel angles inward quite a bit due to the arc that the short upper control arm makes in comparison the longer lower control arm. this allows the tire to miss the fender but also can affect the steering and cause the tires to scrub across the pavement, if you follow what I mean. on the MII I installed I was given the wrong cross member so it didn't fit the frame properly. with no real help from the supplier I got out some of my old mechanics trade books, looked at many online sites and delved into the geometry thing to understand how things should be set up to work and be safe. I fitted and tacked in the cross member, assembled the parts, checked angles and changed some things to be more like what is suggested by steering engineers. on the heidt's online catalogue site there is a tech article that helps "undertsanding IFS" and it is really worth the read. of course there are lots more online articles if you really want to get into it. my 57, with a TCI cross member and kit, modified slightly so it would fit the frame, with 28" tall tires, sat at about 6 inches off the floor at the front of the rocker and with a rake angle of 2 deg. I think the cross member was pushed up into the frame about three quarters of an inch more than it was supposed to be in order to get it to fit properly. hope that helps somebody tuned in here



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