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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 42 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 42 | Hi Guys: I've been thinking for the last little while that the next vehicle I'd like to own would be a 47-53 advance design 1/2 ton, preferably 5 window.
I'd like the truck to be my daily driver and therefore upgrade or change the suspension and drive train. I've seen advertisments in Classic Truck magazines for I.F.S. systems using Mustang II front clips and also somewhere on the web where mounting the cab and box on a Chevy S10 rolling frame. If I go with the clip I can see that I will also want to improve the gearing in the rearend and probably the the back brakes as well. Any thoughts from the members on this list would be appreciated.
Thanks | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 707 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 707 | Depends what you'll be wanting it to do. An S-10 is no more a truck than a Mustang II in my opinion, and if you ever want it to work as a truck, you would be well advised to freshen up the existing suspension and go with an unaltered drivetrain except for gear ratios. There are endless options you can explore, but the most tractable and versatile might be a rearend ratio change to, say, 3.55, and a transmission change to a T-5 from that S-10.
1951 3800 Be the change you want to see. -hotshoe
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,441 Moderator - The Electrical Bay | | Moderator - The Electrical Bay Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,441 | Welcome to the 'bolt...
"disk to disk" IFS kit... $2500.00
9" rear end with new spring kit... $1500.00
SBC and 700R4... $2000.00
= daily drivability... Priceless
(all prices approximate, not including labor)
Another quality post.
Real Trucks Rattle
HELP! The Paranoids are after me!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | Hey, welcome to the 'bolt you old coot.  RR you've been watching too many commercials. :rolleyes:
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 69 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 69 | Welcome to Stovebolts. What side of Canada are you from? An I.F.S. is easier and get an old car for donor parts.
New deal for old steel
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 42 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 42 | I see alot of 4 banger mid 80's mustangs in the local rag. Can you use the front end from one one these as a doner or does it have to be from one with 6 or V8 in it? I live on the sunny Wet Coast. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,317 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,317 | Mustang 4 banger weighs in at 418....235 at 630...sbc...575.....Welcome to Stovebolts...home of the numbers crunchers! Do you feel lucky?
Dave....I'm "Just another one of those old straight axle farts!" | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | 80's mustang won't work, has to be '74-'78. the '79 '94 use a srut type front end-no upper control arm. The kits that use Mustang parts are based on the '74-'78 body, as well as the Pinto, which has the same components. Best bet would b to use an aftermarket crossmaber, then add your own control arms if you need to save a few $$$. Personally, I'd go the S-10 route. you can get S-10s pretty cheap, and doing an SBC swap is easy. Plus later ones have 4-wheel disk brakes factory installed. Or if you want something crazy, find a wrecked Syclone to strip the drivetrain from. Turbo all-wheel drive 'Bolt, anyone?
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 | From one old coot to another WELCOME. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 299 | Hi fellow Canuck,I live in Aldergrove ,BC.Another way some of the Stovebolters speak about is useing the 73-87 truck suspension.Apparently it's pretty much a bolt in and you get to stay all GM with wheels and disc brakes.I printed it out in case I decided to go that route.I ended up redrilling my spindles and installed an Olds 442 differencial as I'm just going to drive it as I would an El Camino- mostly as a car.I also went V8/auto, next step "THE WIRING"(argg)
Lothar | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 622 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 622 | oldkoot: If Jay Leno can drive a steamer to work, IN LOS ANGELES, then you can drive an original stovebolt as a daily driver. Nobody says that you have to go fast. Keep it original.
delete my account and pictures
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 14 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 14 | hotshoe36 is speaking from experience when it comes to loading up an old stovebolt! Welcome to the club, oldkoot. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 | He old koot. The wet coast you say? Can't be Victoria that's for sure! There is a company in Alberta that makes a super IFS kit. Name is McGyers (spelling could be wrong on the name). Disk to disk about $2400. My question is why? A lot of trucks being built today have solid front axles. | | |
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