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Hi all,

Well, I think I am going to buy a barn fresh '56 big window half ton for my first truck project. Before I tell my friend I want it, I want to know what I am getting into with this kind of project, so I have been lurking here trying to learn a few things.

My questions are:

1. I could wait a year to save for the Mustang II from TCI or find a pacer front end to graft on. Is the pacer front end the smoothest fit of all of the sub frames I could find salvaged? What front end is ideal? (S-10???)

2. Are there any specific options out there that I should make sure are included in the clip (I am thinking sway bar, etc, but is there a better year to get it from?

Thanks in advance! And by the way, this board is amazing, I can't believe how much info is out here for these trucks. This board itself is probably the main reason that I think I can tackle this project!!!

How about get it running and drive it the way it is, you might like it stock. At least it would be on the road! Mine has the straight axle and factory springs, it drives as good as my '03 Toyota, runs 70 mph, has disk brakes, and I'am working on a swaybar now. How much more will a different clip get you? There is so much you can do with out cutting the frame, and once cut, you now have to fabricate all the mounting backets for the radiator, fenders, bumpers, etc..... are you ready for that!

Don't tear it all apart before you get to drive it, thats a go way to loose interest in a prject of this size. Go around to a few shows and look at all the other trucks of the same size and year. Ask them why they did what they did or didn't do? 50 miles of driving will tell you just what you want to know!!!!

There were a few threads on here years ago about MII front ends and not being strong enough for some trucks. Ask before you purchase, what is the weight limit??? They are pretty small, and as far as the Pacer clip goes, when was the last time you even saw a Pacer. Here in the midwest, there are gone... Someone on the board went to a lot trouble once installing a Pacer clip just to find out he couldn't get ball joints any more!

Do a lot of homework before committing to any cutting.....

Of course this is all my opinion and does not include the rest of society, so take it as is and have fun with what ever you decide is right for you, after all, its your truck..... Joe

i hear the monte carlo clips line right up with the frame. i am using a 77 nova clip for mine.

it will be a lot of work, but cheaper. and at this point in my life i have a lot more time than money. plus i think i like to overcomplicate things sometimes while trying to keep it simple.

Thanks Joe and 1-Ton, very good advice and very appreciated.

I guess I was under some kind of impression that the truck would not necessarily be overly safe as is, and that replacing the older generation equipment such as brakes, etc, would be much more difficult than getting newer stuff. So, I thought I should just make the switch in the beginning.

I like your idea better though, just try it first and see if it is what I expected, or if I need to change something. Although I have done a fair amount of fabrication work as a hobby, I am not a fan of the frustration that accompanies it!

I would like to keep the door open for the conversion at least from a research purpose of gathering as much info as possible to know what is involved etc., and what I should look for if I do go ahead with the conversion.

I just like these old trucks, and more importantly, want to be safe in one. Anyone else with ideas/opinions is certainly welcome too!

Tobin - from a task force lover/driver:
there are easy [not cheap ] kits to put dual MC disc brakes on the task force trucks, but if you make sure all the steering gear is #1, and the springs and shocks are good, and get quality radials on it, you'll be as safe as a level headed driver can be - I just took a 300 mile round trip, highway and byway, uphill and down, rough roads and smooth in my 58 w/ no concern about safety except all the yahoos on the road w/ me - had to even make one quicker stop than I like - no problem w/ good stock brakes

you can get all the brake parts at the parts stores [like NAPA], and the steering isn't powered, but w/ proper alignment and good tires, works as well as necessary - nothing is "overly safe", and IMO a lot of the problem on the road today is too many folks who think their ABS brakes and cushy suspension and power steering that doesn't let'em know the road conditions, will keep them "totally safe" no matter how stupid they are!

Bill

there are really three ways to go:

-aftermarket mustang II kit

-donor clip from a camaro/nova/monte

-rebuilt the stock front suspension. if you go this way, I would reccomend a power disc brake conversion, especaily if you ever want to drive on the freeway/highway. you'll be glad you did at the first sudden stop you have to make to avoid a wreck. an anti-sway bark kit should help with the hanlding also.

i guess the real question is: how do you want it to ride and drive? like a 1955 truck, or a more modern vehicle?

i want to drive my truck a lot. i enjoy spirited driving, and a 1950's truck suspension just won't cut it. i want it to handle as well as it can. maybe my ford lightning has just spoiled me.

The old straight axle is hard to beat if everything is in good shape.

i have a pacer IFS and have had it on my truck for 20 years it works fine. but at the time all the things available now were not then. i would have kept it stock but very little parts were available without cut and fit and you really had to know what you are doing, and i didn't. after market is really amazing now, so take your time and enjoy. safety first. ron

I have a stock straight axle with a dual master cyl. manual disc brake kit. Drives and stops great. The ride is a little rougher than an IFS, but it still feels like an ole truck. Just right for me. I just had to learn how to drive it. That's the key. Just ask yourself honest questions on how your gonna use it and the answers will be a little clearer than mud

Again, Thanks all for the advice. Believe me, this really helps.

I am going to take a good inventory of what parts I have and what I can reuse. I think I will be driving it as it was born, at least for a good while. Just have to get my copy of Tom Brownell's New Edition, and begin breaking things down. I like doing things myself, and at least trying to do them right (learning tends to get in the way). So it will be a traditional frame off that will start by shipping stuff to the media blaster to build it as Chevrolet did some 50 years ago.

Thanks all for the advice, it makes me more excited than ever to 'join this club'.

Thanks again,
Tobin.

I have a 51,put a 79 Camaro clip on.The clip cost me 50 bucks.Took 6 hours to complete the job.One thing before you put the front fenders on.Have the frontend lined up first.if ya have to do any twikin you'll have the room.Parts are cheep and easy to find.Now ya got your dis breaks.power steering,mounts ready for a V-8.As one fella said where ya going to get Pacer parts now+ they set to low to the ground for me.Shop around.Good luck

If you can find a decent Pacer front end, it's worth considering. Great brakes, steering and suspension, you get a cool low stance on the front end (if you're into that) and you don't have to cut the truck's frame rails. I'm happy with it on mine and it feels more robust than the ADs I've driven with e.g. Mustang II clips. But I have no experience of the front end kits from the specialist manufacturers. (Guess I don't know anyone with that much dosh.) I should think they're pretty danged good.

All the best with your project. It'll drive you nuts and bliss you out in about equal measure.

Christian

The camaro clip works well with task force trucks and if you have the fabrication skills is a good way to go. There is a video from No Limit that details the installation if you need assistance which is recommended if you have never done this type of modification. The IFS kits are also good but the initial cost is higher. There are additional costs involved in brake lines and steering connections that often get overlooked in this installation.
If you want to wait there are plenty of other items you can work on while you save money for your choice of front suspension. Do the body work first. Re-build the engine. Find a new rear axle - 74-81 camaro work well - and install it. Drive it as is while you do other things as long as it is safe.

The best thing to do is develop an overall plan to work to. This will help keep everything on track within budget and makes it easier to finish.

For some in process pictures, check out my picture trail album to see what you are getting into.

dan-pa,
I have a 51,put a 79 Camaro clip on.The clip cost me 50 bucks.Took 6 hours to complete the job.
. when you put this clip on did it drop the front end down? and if so, is there a way to keep the stock height if some one were to go this route?
jim

The IFS kits seem to be pretty expensive after you get all of the work done. I've seen complete rolling--minus the wheels--frames for $7000-8000. That seems like a better deal since you're getting IFS, rack and pinion steering, power disk brakes, a rear end with many gearing options, and a brand new, stronger frame.

I would rather spend the extra $5000-6000, and get everything new, than spend $2000-3000 and have to hack up my old frame; but that's only my opinion.

I am inagreement with the people who are saying to get the truck running and see how you like it first. I wanted to start modifying my truck with all kinds of things, but I decided to do safety and reliability stuff first. Now I'm pretty happy with it.

i bought a 77 nova for $500. i was going to use the motor after i rebuilt it because i was told it was a 350 when i bought the car. well i should have checked the casting #'s because it turned out to be a 305. i gave it away.

i am using the subframe, steering column, and rear axle from the nova. i was going to use the front seat, but it is pretty beat up. the rear could use a lower gear and a limited slip diff, but it will work for now, it is an 8.5" 10-bolt.

that is one way to get a fair amount of parts for cheap. i have a lot more time than money at this point in my life, so i chose to go the clip route.

I went the TCI M2 route.I like it very much.Look at the overall cost,rebuilding the donor frontend,etc.if I ever do another one I will go the same way.A lot of guys here have went the donor route with good results.I am not knocking any of them,just telling you what I would do.Good luck no matter which way you go.

the rebuild kit for my nova is around $250 for all new bushings tie-rod ends. springs are $120 for heavy-duty ones. shocks maybe another $100.

Tobin,

Where abouts in Madison are you, I grew up there?

-Chris