Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Not happy with the front straight axle

IN my 1953 Chevy 3600 3\4 ton truck. I was at world of wheel car show in Chicago I found a company that builds front end suspensions to up grade from the dreaded straight axle. BUT they don't make one for the 8 lug wheel suspension of the 3/4 ton. They only make up to a 6 lug. So my only thought left was to find a truck rolling chassis with a similar wheel base as my truck. Anyone else done this to their 3/4 ton truck?

Thanks Elmo

What wheelbase is your 3600? They were available in multiple sizes.

Also, how handy are you? Doing a body swap is non-trivial if you are not fairly well versed in fabrication. I don't know offhand is anyone makes a kit for that. Ez-Chassis Swap might have something for you.

If the goal is improved brakes, take a look at this thread over in Big Bolts.

I have a 1979 AMC Pacer front suspension on my 1/2 ton with a stock engine. It has worked great for the past 13 years. BTW there is a kit to install it.

How is your existing front axle not satisfactory? Are the kingpin bushings up to snuff? Are all the steering joints tight or replaced? Is the steering box tight? Are the axle shims
(caster)there and setup properly? Fixing all these minor jobs is a whole lot easier and cheaper than a whole new setup!

Ed

Nothing to dread about a solid front axle when all components are in proper working order. This includes modern radial tires of the correct diameter and new shock absorbers.

Are you planning to auto-cross the truck? The solid axle is perfectly satisfactory for normal driving at all speeds that the truck is capable of achieving.

I was on my way to a car show last year. Going 55 down the road and ran over a medium size pot hole. The truck almost ended up in the other lane. If I were to hit that same pothole with my independent front suspension in my car, I'd be still in my lane.
So does that mean my front end is loose? I've replaced everything on that truck. Steering box was taken apart and rebuilt too.

Elmo

I've driven over 3000 miles in my 1950 1/2 ton in the last 18 months or so. Driving is equally split between highway and local roads. I've hit potholes at 50-55 as well and never had the truck act in a manner that caused me to lose control or make me consider the handling to be dangerous.

I would check the entire steering system with someone turning the wheel slowly while you observe each link in the system for delay/play/slop. How are the springs and shocks?

Certainly modern vehicles handle much better than 70 year old trucks but that doesn't mean that 70 year old vehicles are inherently unsafe or have loose, sloppy handling.

There is a front anti-sway bar available for AD trucks that is a bolt-on part (original equipment on panel trucks, I think). They are available from one or more of the restoration specialty suppliers. Perhaps that is something to consider installing. I have not installed one but probably will do so at some point.

The front shocks on my truck are Monroe OE Spectrum 33049 and the rears are Monroe Gas-Matic 5826. I have 16" rims and Firestone radials.

Anti-sway bars do their work while in a turn. Shouldn't have much effect at a pot hole.

The leaf springs have never been replaced. Think that has anything to do with the handling?