The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk ifs vs stock suspension

I appreciate the replys on the v8 vs 235. I am going to sell the camaro and put in the 235. Next question is: Is the ifs much better riding for the cost vs the leaf springs? I would like to hear from the 'bolters who have had experience with both. Does the ifs set the truck too low for the ocasional trip to the fishing hole (gravel and dirt roads)? How easy is it for an aspiring mechanic to put in? Thanks again, Wayne

Dudes going with IFS usually do so because they:

1. Wanna make things easier for power steering (or steering in general when putting in a V8)

2. Want front disc brakes for better stopping power (usually after adding a v8)

3. Want to slam, or at least lower, the vehicle from stock height.

I've driven a few AD trucks with IFS, but all have had a v8 in them.. haven't ever driven an IFS modded truck that still had a 235 or 216 in them.

IFS sure makes a heck of a difference in handling and drive over the stock front suspension.. makes the truck handle more like a 20 year old truck than a 40+ year old one! But personally, i've come to love the way my old trucks feel and ride.. so unless I had a reason to go with disc brakes (see #2 above), I probably wouldn't hassle with it.

All the IFS trucks i've seen have been lower than stock height.. not sure if that's 'nature of the beast' or just one of the common things for folks to do when they switch.

You can buy a disc brake kit for your straight axle from various vendors. But after you rebuild the entire stock front end of that 52 with new disc brakes, tie rod ends, king pins and drag link, (which it prolly needs) you will have just as much in it as an IFS. I think if I did it all over again, I would try the IFS. I like the lower stance and it just doesn't work well with the stock axle. I have not tried a stock dropped axle which are now available. Lot of work rebuilding the original too. Got to have a special reamer to do the king pins I hear. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

I stayed stock because I have a 1 ton and I didn't want to lose the load rating. I used kevlar brake pads and they work very well. Drives like a truck tho...

I stayed with the drop stock axle mainly for looks and origionatily. Put disk brk frt end , new king pins,lost a few leafs and went with 15" wheels. Love tha look. will drive it everyday possible.Good Luck, bowties

i have a pacer IFS and i like it but if i had available then what is available now i might have stayed with stock set up, power steering kits, and disc brake kits and so on. ron

I used a Pacer clip, as some others here have. I’ve always been happy with the results. (Although it’s in pieces all over the garage now as I try to get it all rebuilt before spring.) There wasn’t much to choose from 15-16 years ago when I put it in. Never cared for the Pinto/Mustang II kits, as they seem too narrow for the AD chassis. But I would use this if I were going to do it now… http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com/page9.html
The bolt in design, available engine mounts, 2” adjustment of ride height, and they fixed the width problem. Looks like a well thought out kit to me.

(ps…This is not an ad for that company, just my opinion on the subject)

I stuck with the stock front end on my '57 GMC for a few reasons:
I was pulling a 35 foot 5th wheel RV trailer a lot,and didn't find much that had the load capacity for it.
All the ifs kits I checked out would have lowered the front by at least 4 inches,and I like the ride height as it is.
Expensive.
I donn't want a cushy ride in my truck;if I want to drive something cushy,I'll drive my station wagon.
Simplicity;easier,and less expensive to work on.
Better ground clearance-a pretty big deal for me as I do a lot of driving on bad roads,or no roads.
It's all a matter of personal preference. I just happen to prefer my trucks to act like trucks.
Speed

a guy i know summed it up in a few words. in reference to his new big truck, (2005) he said its not a truck. its a car with a bed behind the seat.