The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop IFS Install Cost?

Hello all,
I was just curious about install costs for a mustang II type IFs. My truck is down to the frame only and I am getting ready to put on either the rebuit straight axle or a new IFS.
It is a 1949 1/2 ton.
Thanks

Assuming you do it youself, stop here and get out the calculator:
http://www.progressiveautomotive.com/street.htm

Don't forget the brakes:
http://www.progressiveautomotive.com/WWBB.htm

And what about the rear - stock out back will have the truck at a 45 degree rake:
http://www.progressiveautomotive.com/rearleaf.htm

Gotta hook up the steering:
http://www.progressiveautomotive.com/IFSparts.htm

Plus all the miscelleany to go with. If you pay someone to do it, multiply times two.
It isn't cheap, but when you get done, it'll sit like this:
http://www.chuckthetruck.homestead.com/files/pass_sun_small.jpg

I was planning on buying the thing complete and having someone else install or weld it in.

I was concerned about the price of that tpe of labor.

Thanks,
Sean

When I did my 46 I wanted to keep the stright axle. By the time you buy the mono leaf springs, disk break kit, change to the tube shocks, moved the steering box ect. there isn't much of a cost differance. The MII may even be less labor or hours to do. Will it be or is the stright axle a nostalgia item.

Sometimes I think it might be just as cheap to buy one of those new frames with the IFS ,brakes etc already installed,than to let someone else work on your old frame.I have seen them advertised in "Classic Trucks" magazine,check it out.

Print this page and take it to your local fabricator for an estimate. That will give you the bare minimum cost for IFS. Higher performance = higer pricetag and more time in the shop.

Actually I was meaning the total kit like the ones you see for about $1600 in magazines.
I just want someone who knows how to weld to do it and was curious if anyone had done one or could guess a price.

The 2 retailers I spoke 2 will not reccomend a welder or speculate on price.

thanks,
Sean

I was quoted $6000 by a local chassis shop to for front and rear suspension, installed. A MIG welder got real attractive at that point.

I bought a $400 73 half ton and used it as a donner for my 53' 5 Window IFS disk brakes 12 bolt rear power steering, etc.. The alighnment shop hardly had to adjust anything and it drives like a dream, at a fraction of the cost of a MII and it is all GM!

Personal preference I guess. Lotta folks seem to either want or have an IFS on these older trucks amd yes, it costs some money to revamp the straight axle-- what with disk brakes, better springs, new kingpins, and rebuilt steering box. Learn alot about ur truck doing this stuff though. I like the straight axle --rides like a truck; stock stance and look; tough--handles the ever increasing pot holes due to excessive SUV usage here in Dallas.

Before implanting an IFS do all the reasearch--I've heard too many stories about bumpsteer, wheels not centered in the wheel wells, too wide axles, can't align properly etc.

I don't want to hijack this thread but,

Does an IFS install have to mean a drop or is it possible to keep a stock height?

All the IFS clips and installs I've read about yeild a drop around 4-6" and while I would like IFS I don't want to drop my truck even more so...

When I swapped in my IFS from a 73 donner I had to cut 1 1/2 coils off each spring to give me factory ride hight.

I couldn't find an IFS that didn't drop it. I was worried it would be too low, but it sits right and I like it.