The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Front suspension advice needed

Hello, I'm doing a frame off restoration of a 57 Chevy truck stepside. I currently have everything off the frame, it's sandblasted and primered. I'm ready to decide on what front and rear end to put on it. I'm leaning towards the Mustang II front end (new) and am wondering what your thoughts are? Any really good ones out there for a good price? Also what about rear end? I've got the stock one made for the original V6, but I'm putting a small block Chevy V8 in it. Any help or advise would be great! Thanks. David

Dave,
Welcome to the bolt. It sounds like you have a plan for your truck but need the details fleshed out. There are several good IFS systems out there and some good deals such as free freight. Look on ebay for a TCI IFS kit as I see some out there pretty regularly. The price is about $1,600 but I have seen others in the magazines for a bit less.
For a rear axle you might consider either a GM 12 bolt truck axle or a 10 bolt from a 2nd generation camaro/firebird. I think the outside to outside dimension that would work well for a task force series truck like yours would be 60-62 inches.
Before you go too far I would suggestion you make a build plan that specs out what you want to do and the order in which you plan to do it. This will keep you from jumping around.
Keep us informed as we like to see other peoples efforts.

I am currently putting a corvette front suspension from a 96 corvette under my 56 1/2 ton. It comes from Flat Out Engineering.
heres a link of an article classic trucks did on it:
http://www.classictrucksweb.com/tech/0302CL_independent/index.html

And this is for an artilce about the rear end:
http://www.classictrucksweb.com/tech/0303CT_IndThinkII/index.html
I thought the rear was a little too expensive for me but if you go the money it would look awesome. both of these kits go in pretty easy because Flat out takes all of the guess work out of it.
i especially like the 11" inch disc brakes up front and the all aluminum parts
for the rear i am using a f**d 8.8 from a 97 explorer with disc brakes. i believe the width from rotor to rotor is about 58". it fits really well but i haven't had the bed on yet.
Another axle i've heard people using is a 9" from an oldsmobile versailles. as it has a width of 58" also.

anyway have fun with your truck. hope i helped some

houston and brent had some good ideas. i have seen that front end on a truck before and it looked pretty slick. i would look for a chevy 12 bolt rear end out of a camaro or something. i would also find a tranny that i liked at this time. good luck on the project.

Thanks for the reply Houston54, I am reading about the GM 12 bolt vs. the Ford 9" and it sounds like the Ford is easier to work on and the wheel bolt pattern would match the Mustang II IFS if I go that direction. Any thoughts on the 9"? for the 57 chevy truck?
Thanks, David.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, being a beginner I can use all the help I can get! The corvette front and rear sounds great, and after reading about it I might even be able to afford it. Any idea what the cost difference would be between an IFS with a Ford 9" and the corvette IFS and IRS? Also the corvette stuff looks a little more complicated to install? True?

The Corvette front and rear ends both take a bit of engineering to install, and very important make exact measurements. Measure at least 2 or 3 times before drilling or welding anything. If you don't get it just right the truck will not track straight, that is the front and back wheels won't go in the same tracks. Definitely go with the Corvette suspension, it is so much better that the f**d stuff. Your truck will handle and ride like a dream. Besides it is Chevy stuff and you can brag it is all bowtie.

I have a TCI Mustang II in my 55,2nd series which worked out very nice.If you are going the V/* route I would reccomand the power steering,for a little more money.You probably have a 3:90 rearend in your truck,which will work out fine if you go woth an overdrive tranny.(thats how mine is set up).If you are going with a standard tranny,or a 350 or 400 turbo you will want to change that ratio to around,3:42,0r even a 3:08,which will give you better fuel economy,and allow you to drive at freeway speeds.I am currently installing a TCI rear suspension kit in it,which includes new four leaf springs,new mounts,shackles ,shocks,spring perches to flip the rearend,etc.Buying the aftermarket kits is more expemsive,but it saves a lot of engineering on your part.good luck.