The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1951 cheap suspension transplant

I got a 1951 five window 3100 and found a website that says that you can update the old suspension by using a 1973 thru 1987 chevy 1/2 ton front suspension. and that it all bolts on with some 1/2 spacers between the saddle and frame has anyone tryed this and how do you like it ?

I've heard it can be done but it puts the wheels out too far because of the difference in track width. The truck ends up looking out of proportion. The best way would be to install an aftermarket IFS that's engineered specifically for your truck. The 73 on up IFS do fit nicely under the 60-66 era trucks though,
Scott

Scott

Thanks for the info, you got some great looking trucks what would you think about a sub frame from a nova or ? Im trying to keep the cost down
Thank you
Todd Coggins

If I was going for IFS, I would use the 73-87 suspension and just buy inset rims so it would look stock. I think it would be best, besides I like the widetrack look .You could always get wider rims for the back to stick out farther.Personally I prefer the stock suspension. I just switched to a 76 Cutlass rear end and had my front hubs altered.Thet welded up the old stud holes and drilled new ones to match the 73-77 Chevelle and Cutlass patern, so now I can run Corvette ralley wheels. Oh, I used 55-57 Chev car wheel drums. Everything is as I want it.

From my experience the front suspension of AD trucks should only be modified using a IFS kit designed for that application. Having done a subframe on a 54 I say this from experience. I made it work and it is cheaper but not easier when you take into account the extra time needed to fab and refit everything. The 73-87 suspension is probably the worse option for these trucks as the wheels will be too far out and nothing you can do will make the truck look right. There is only so much back spacing available and the truck will have to be set a ride height equal to or higher than stock to clear the rubber. One possible solution is to section the cross member to remove the extra width but then you are getting deeper into custom fabrication.
The camaro or F body subframe option is good but again you will have a fender/tire clearance issue unless you keep the ride height at stock level.
If you are restoring the truck and sticking with the 6 banger then just redo the original suspension and add power steering and disc brakes. If you are hot rodding it then the IFS kit is the way to go.

tabdoo,
I'm in the same boat you are. I have been researching IFS for a while now trying to consider whats the best bang for my buck. I agree with the others, the 73-87 suspension just makes the truck look goofy. I've researched the Pacer bolt in swap too. It seemed like the likely choice since it would bolt in (sort of), but from the people I've talked to its not any cheaper after rebuilding the pacer front end.

I've chosen to go with a FatMan Mustang II. Everything is included. I can get a budy to help with welding and then it will be done. I just have to save up like I would for anything else.

Tabdoo,

you may want to check this article out. This person used a 63 IFS and removed a couple of inches from the cross member. Nice picture and fairly well documented.

We're thinking of going this route myself. we're going to change the rear end out to get the open drive line, so matching the track width won't be a problem and my oldest son is a welder,so fabrication isn't an issue.We

Only concern is keeping the tires inside the wheel well.

http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/1963-1987%20IFS%20UPGRADE.htm

I put the 73-87 front suspension on my truck and did not care for the look. It raises the front end significantly and places the wheels too far out. Now I am doing a body swap onto an s-10 chassis.

Todd,my 52 3100 has a 72-72nova subframe and sits low, the wheels are chev rally with 65 series tire.If you really study it you do notice the stance is a bit wide,but the tires only rub the fender in a tight turn with two poeple in the cab.

Thanks for all the info I think im going to go with the S10 frame is there any one who has a 1982 thru 1988 S10 reg cab long bed for sale or know of one ? STOVEBOLTERS ARE THE BEST !! I LOVE THIS SITE

as luck would have it, I DO have a longbed, reg cab, S10 chassis -- WITH the 5 inch wider 4WD rear axle. I'm thinking of not putting his chassis under my '48. However, it is a long way from Vegas to Missouri. Anyone closer to Missouri want this thing. Uh, guess this should go in a different forum.

I still might me interested in it but it will be a few weeks until I can get there to pick it up Im in the middle of selling my house and could come out first week of december how much do you want for it ?

i have a 79 amc pacer front suspension on my 54 and have had for 20 years and it works just fine. one of the after market companys makes a kit to install it. i would have to look tru my catalogs to find it. if interested let me know in another post. i am running short on time this morning or i owuld do it now. ron.

Tabdoo,

I'm still trying to make up my mind for sure that I won't be using the S-10 chassis. If I decide not to use it, I'll take $350 for it, thats what I paid. It has steering box and linkage, fuel tank and all the fuel and brake lines are intact. Stock engine mounts are still in place. I've cleaned it up quite a bit and removed the cab mounts.

Have you researched this conversion well? My biggest concern is that the front track is 5 inches narrower than my '48.

Anyway, there is no hurry, I'll be here and I'll make up my mind soon. That AMC Pacer conversion sounds good but where the heck do you find a Pacer?

Tabdoo, I sent you an email answer, but your anti-spam seems to be working overtime, don't know if you got it or not...

here is the company who makes the kit. http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com/. also in the parts for sale bama1111 had one for sale. another source is www.car-parts.com. hope this helps. ron

Houston54, very good advice on when to go IFS.I agree 100%..With all the choices out there these days, after buying and helping to install Hiedts,Fatman,TCI, and even a speedway unifit, the best and most simple for the DIY'r the CE kit is by far the best choice when you consider cost,quality,fac support,and intructions, it all adds up to high value IMO.
53Phil, I really love that signature. Jon

I am thinking about the S10 frame or the mustang II IFS and want it to be my everyday driver but still want it to keep its value, its a sweet 51 3100 five window truck from Nevada "very clean" I want to redo the suspension & driveline and install a/c, the rest of the truck is clean, any more input ??
Thanks
Todd

scs65
If you decide to get rid of the s10 frame let me know, i got the email you sent about it
Thanks !!

Hey Tabdoo16,

far as I'm concerned, it is yours if you want it. Let me know if you want more details/ pics/info..

The only other input is to stop talking and start doing and send in pictures.

I'm in the middle of swapping a '79 1/2 ton suspension into my '50 3600 right now. I looked at all the options and like most us us who do not have unlimited funds, cost was definately a factor. I was originally going to use a stock mustang II unit but since I can't weld, all the shops wanted to charge me a fortune to put it in so I sold it. I also looked at the Pacer. Finding one is not the easiest thing in the world. bama111 did have one for sale on this site but he sold it. I finally tracked one down but the cost to rebuild it was more than I wanted to pay, not to mention the possibility of finding parts in the future. So I decided to use the '79. The cost.....FREE.(I traded a wrecked van for it) My only expense so far has been $40 to have the crossmember narrowed, $200 for new calipers, hoses, bearings, ect. I'm having the rotors redrilled for the smaller 4 3/4 pattern. (I already had a set of torq thrust II's and a camaro rear end) If all goes well I should be up and running shortly. I'll keep you posted.

Hey mobileortho how about some pictures?

I'll post some when finished. Will keep you posted.
Rob

to old chevy truck guy ---

Hey, Old

Last I heard, the guy from Las Vegas wanted the S-10..... but, thats been a while. Said he couldn't get here till sometime in December. That is not a problem for me but he hasn't given me a definite answer.... I'll try to contact him, but he has some wierd 'spamware' email program and I'm never sure he gets my emails.

Anyway, I'm pretty far away even for you. I'm in extreme southwest Missouri, just south of Joplin, Mo.

to tabdoo16

Hey, Tab

you still want this S-10 chassis?

hey, I stuck a picture of the chassis on a page on a website of mine,,, click on the page for s-10 chassis

also there's some pictures of my '48 Chevy 'as I found it'...

use this address:

http://oneredneck.piczo.com/?cr=7&rfm=y

To scs65
Yes I want the frame,Sorry I havent got back to you my internet got wiped out It should be taken care of by the 29th Ill get ahold of you then
Thanks
Todd

Finally got it in and as promised, here are some pictures: http://rides.webshots.com/album/557329451gKHuSm?vhost=rides

Mobileortho
NICE JOB that looks awesome ! I went with the Heidts Mustang II instead and its looking pretty good, But Wow did yours turn out great what size blazer tank did you go with ? Ive seen two sizes 25 and 31 gallon
Todd

Thanks for the compliment. I was told by the PO that it is a 25 gallon tank. I'm trying to figure out what type of pump to use to run a TPI setup. Someone suggested I use a frame mounted unit from an 89 f150. Still checking.

how much did you narrow your crossmember? looks really great nice job. what track width did you end up with and how much trouble was it to narrow crossmember?

I took the crossmember to a local shop and had it narrowed 1 1/2". I think he may have taken out a tad bit more than that because I had to do some gringing to make it fit. He did a pretty good job though and only charged $60 for the Xmember and the center linkage.

Mobileortho
Check in to converting the blazer tank with a GM intank fuel pump. I installed it on my 86 when I installed the 454 with TBI in both tanks along with the fuel lines and filter & wiring harness, the only downfall is my tanks dont have any baffels and when the tank is below 1/8 tank and Im turning a corner (it runs out of gas for a sec) Im checking into a "87 blazer" tank that already set up with it for my 51 that im going to run a 350 TBI in
Todd

I've got a 50 1-ton I'm puting a 78 3/4 camper special suspension under.It's a heavy duty unit with a Dana 70 rear.I am leaving it wide and using spacers.I've found a complete 54 2-ton front end for 75.00 that should take care of the width.
Floyd

Post pics !

I've posted some more pictures. Pogress is slow, but it's coming together. Steering is done, rear end is in, motor is in. In the process of redrilling the rotors to the 4 3/4 bolt pattern & run the brake & fuel lines. I'll probally remove a few leafs from the rear to drop it and put some dropped coils up front. Once every thing is mocked up I'll detail everything. So far, so good.

It looks like a nice job. One that will work very well when your done. Thanks for sharing.

That looks Real nice Mobileortho !! I can hardly wait to see it when it's done, NICE JOB!!
Keep up the nice work !

Todd