The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Suspension upgrade options for a '52 3100

Hello,
First time poster here. I want to build an early 50's 3100 and upgrade the suspension. Also thinking of installing a V8 and T5. I've been reading the forum and other places about my options. This is what I've come up with so far.

1. Keep existing suspension and embrace that 50's pickup truck feel
2. Buy an S10 chassis and convert accordingly. Cost $2500-3500 (guestimate)
3. New performance chassis from Art Morrison, Progressive automotive, Swartzpeformance, etc. $12-15K.

Does anyone sell a retrofit package to install new independent suspension on the stock frame?
Does anyone sell an S10 chassis already converted to fit a 3100?
Any opinions? or other options?
Thanks in advance,
Ken

Look at Classic Trucks for Places that sell Mustang 2 IFS for the AD series chassis.

We went with #1 for our '49 Burb, with disc brakes and completely rebuilt steering. We have had it since 1972 - was our daily driver for several years. It's a lot easier to drive without 30 deg of play in the steering and 4-pump brakes.

Thanks stryder, I see some aftermarket IFS setups and rear 4 links that will work with a stock frame. A good alternative to an all new aftermarket frame and suspension.

it might also depend on how you want to use it. You can put a disk brake kit on the existing front, change out the rear end and leaf springs to something more modern with better brakes and a bit higher rear end ratio, add power steering box, and after your engine/tranny swap, still have a fairly stock looking truck, and be able to drive it down the freeway no problem. A lot depends on your plans for it, how much money you want to spend, and your level of ability, whether you want to or can do the fabrication work needed for some of the mods, or want bolt-on stuff or are paying someone else to do it all.

Here's a possible solution for option 3. Check out code504.com. They sell a conversion kit that allows you to use your s10 frame, suspension, etc and they've taken all the guess work out of the body mounting. I haven't researched them much but have seen their advertisements a few time in classic trucks magazine.

Check out the "Hi-Po" Forum. This discussion belongs there.

I prefer option 1 but then again I rarely venture on roads that require 55 and above speeds.

re. option 2: Theres a shop local to me where they specialize in swapping out the original AD frames and drive train to an S10. All the trucks I've seen them do had V8's and in one case they squeezed a small Cummins diesel in one. No V6's or I4's in their creations.
The bed boards raise 6" or more higher due to the S10 frame and they relocate the fuel tank under the bed. The trucks look somewhat stock to the untrained eye but the bad does look mighty high.

Good luck
Dave