The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop IFS vs Sway

I have a 1950 Chevy PU 1/2 Ton with a 350 Chevy SB and auto transmission. I have not modified any of the suspension.

I took it out on a test drive and it rides real smooth. The acceleration is nice. However, when releasing the accelerator the truck dives to the right (obviously reacting to the lack of torque).

I know its 1950 suspension built for a 235 and not a 350. I do not plan to race the truck.

What are your suggestions for suspension upgrades? Should I bite the bullet and just buy an IFS? Install a sway bar and air shocks?

As much as I like to install the Mustang II suspensions the straight axle will handle the V8 just fine. I ran my truck from the mid 70's up to 1990 with a small block and various transmissions. If you want to keep the straight axle then just go through all the suspension components and get an alignment at a shop that can actually bent the axle to bring it back into spec's......usually a big truck repair shop.

The two upgrades that I wish that I had back then was Disc brakes with a dual reservoir master cylinder and a sway bar.

I would agree...front disc brakes and a substantial(preferably over 1" in diameter) well installed sway bar are essential for a decent ride. You might also want to consider a slight lowering of the front end and "boxing" & reinforcing (w an add'tl cross member)the stock frame to reduce torsional flex.

Looks like I am outnumbered here,but if you can afford to put in an IFS do it.The ride and handling are just great.I put a TCI mustang 2 in my 55 with a 350 eng.and 700R4 tranny.What a difference,it rides and handles very well.I also went with the power rack&pinion steering.If you want to keep the old truck feel stick with the standard suspension,but if you want it to handle like a late model the IFS is the way to go.

IFS is the only way to go.This is of course the opinion of a hot rodder. My first MII was in my 34 FOMOCO. I had a drop axle, it looked good and drove dangerous. I installed a Heidt's MII and now I drive with 1 hand on the wheel. My 53 truck has a Camaro subframe. It truely drives as good as my 2000 Impala, but is really a little to wide. I had to use 5" wheels with rear off set to position the wheels in enough. My other truck, a 48 Chevy, I installed a MII on it. It's a long term project and I probably won't drive it for years, but it fits great, puts the wheels in exactly the right position if you want it low, and fits the frame perfect. Especially after my experience with MII on the 34, I think it's the way to go.

Are sure your real axle is in good shape? My '85 Dodge had a posi-trac that did the same thing, it would change lanes when stepping down or letting off. I found the axle splines were worn where the side gears meshed. The side gears were a harded material than the axles. It ate the right axle faster than the left which made it pull to the right on take off, and jump left when letting off. After a swap to standard axle it drove as good as new!

Don't give up on the straight axle yet. Make sure everything is in good working condition before commiting to drastic work. JOE

I installed the sway bar offered at Chevy Duty. It was a thick u-shaped sway bar that mounts under the front cross member (requires no drilling) and the ends attached via a bolt and bushings to a plate you install under the lower piston shock mount. It worked like a charm!! It does not bounce nor rotate to the right or left under acceleration or deceleration. I might now be able to go tremendous speeds but I certainly can travel highway speeds confidently.