The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Suspension for 1946 panel?

I have a 1946 Chevy panel that I plan on turning into a daily driver and need advise on selecting a front end. I live off a dirt county road and suspensions take a real pounding getting from the highway to home, therefore, the suspension has to be very robust. The various options I have looked at so far include:(1) Mustang II kits, but they seem too light weight for a 3300lb panel, and I can't find any for a '46 anyway, (2)IFS kits from TCI, Heidts, Fatman, RB's, but there aren't any for a '46, (3) Dakota IFS from Industrial Chassis, but doesn't fit '46, (4) Chrysler torsion bar setup from Gibbon, but doesn't fit '46 (5) AMC Pacer IFS from Chassis Engineering, but don't know if it fits a '46 and have seen posts on other forums expressing concern about inadequate spring rates and availability of parts, (6) Volare/Camero clips, but that's beyond my welding skills and I think they're in about the same class as a Mustang II. I've considered a newer truck chassis but don't yet know which would be suitable and am concerned about the amount of firewall/inner fender/mounting point surgery that might be needed. What's a fella to do? I want a good ride but something that can stand up to a washboard road.

I should add that I won't be doing the work, it'll be done by a shop.

Don L- I have installed an 84 GMC front crossmember in my 49 sub. Its one heck of a lot of work but you will end up with a TRUCK front end which includes independent front suspension, power disc brakes and power steering. Also the radiator and front sheet metal will bolt back on using the original brackets and holes. There may be some difference in frames between 46 and 49 so I don't know if it is possible on your panel. Mine isn't on the road yet but I would be glad to send you some pics of the installation. Weeds

Don
I put my 46 PU on a 76 1 1/4 ton army issue GMC 4x4 frame with a 350/350 combo. What I did was widen the fenders 4 inches each. Have a look at my photo album ,one of the folders contains the pics. of the cut
Stuart
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sublime589/album?.dir=d9d2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sublime589/my_photos

Like you, in the past I have found less things available for the '46 and older Chevy trucks than for the '47-'54 trucks.

However, I am looking at a Fat Man ad now. It has a list of all the kits they have available. On the list it has one that says "'34-'87 Chevy Trucks".

You might want to give them a call. (704-545-0369)

Or here's a link to their website. fatman

P.S. have you found a restoration shop yet?

Last summer I saw a '38 Chevy pickup sitting on an 4x4 S-10 frame. I don't know how much modification was involved, but given what you desribe as your needs, I'd look at swaping the whole thing onto an S-10 frame.

Thanks for the input guys. I talked to Fatman and was told the Stage II hub-to-hub would work with the '46. According to the sales pitch, it should be strong enough but I am a little concerned about the design. There have been a number of posts in various forums, especially hotrodders.com, discussing front ends with strut rod eliminators and the actual and potential problems they create. There have been some failures, though not many, but it is still a concern. My wife's going to be driving this thing.

No, I still haven't hooked up with a restoration shop yet. I've talked to a couple and gotten ballpark estimates of $50,000 to $80,000 to do what I want done. About $12,000 to $15,000 for the body restoration and the rest for everything else. Seems pretty expensive, so I'm still looking.

The '38 I saw last summer was sitting at a shop in Idaho. I got the impression it was a very long term project.

I don't know what you're telling these shops the finished product needs to be, but when I recently priced a new Suburban it was going to be more than $50,000 for what I wanted.

If you want something outfitted like a new one I'd expect it to cost at least as much, not less, because it's not being built on an assembly line, but by hand.

Don... Have you checked out Jim Meyer Racing? I am currently doing a 1941 GMC 1/2 ton and I'm using one of his I.F.S. kits. The kit uses 70-81 Camaro spindles, hubs, 11" rotors and brakes. These are a little more heavy duty then Mustang II stuff. I dont have it installed yet, but the "A" arms and cross member look very stout.I just got the frame ready to weld the cross member in last weekend, so it should be done soon. If you would like I can e-mail you some pictures of what you get. Check out his website at www.jimmeyerracing.com or give them a call, they are supper nice to talk to and very informative. Good luck with your resto job!!

Don...Unless you're going 4 wheeling with a 2 ton load in the back of your Panel...MII IFS is more than robust enough for what you need...remember somebody drove your '46 around with it's stock suspension for almost 60 years and it still works! Also remember that your original truck had a 216 engine that weighed or weighs nearly 700 lbs...I assume you're going to swap a SB Chevy or its equvalent...they weigh under 600 lbs.
If you're still concerned box your frame, find an original MII IFS with Struts.
I have original MII IFS in both my 49 & 52 Suburbans (which weigh 3800 lbs)...outstanding.

Don, here's my 2c: my 54 1/2 ton daily driver (327/400) works just fine with reconditioned Pacer IFS from a junk yard. (A bolt-in on the 54 so it's an almost idiot-proof install--it needed to be!-- and the Chevy frame remains uncut.) I got HD coils from Eaton--you tell them the application and the ride height etc., they tell you the spring to spring for. So no spring rates probs. The Bendix discs are big and powerful and well up to the job, and the steering ratio is just right (through a Grant wheel on a tilt on mine).

Replacement parts reasonably priced and readily available for the whole shebang and it's very robust.

I don't know if Pacer is the best solution for a fifty thousand dollar 46 Panel--maybe someone who's been there will post if they can still afford a computer--but you mentioned it and that's my experience with it.

Good luck!

Christian

I have an 87 Chev truck front end on a 46 half ton. It has the power steering setup and power disc brakes. Haven't tried it yet as I'm still building it up but the fenders and front clip fit fine.
Bob T

bobt any pictures on how it went together?