Guys, don't worry, you haven't hurt my feelings.....yet.
The last P30 I worked on was a straight axle, and I'd rather have the comfort and handling of an independent front end. Same with the Isuzu's. That being said, both of those were trucks from at least ten years ago. I did a similar static drop to an '03 F150 that was used heavily as a truck, but I know not hauling loads this heavy. And the current donor chassis is currently being used to haul the aforementioned crushed concrete loads. I figure I'll have to back half the frame and plan on making it out of 3x5 tubing, and boxing the front half, so I'm not worried about the frame taking the loads. But you mentioned brakes, so I think I'll check into what the current 1-ton's use for brakes.
