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I have a 39 Chev pickup that I would like to use occasionaly as a driver to putt around in. I have a 305 engine I am going to use with 350 transmission. I am undecided to what to do with the front end. I have been told to use a Camaro clip for the best driver setup. I know about the M2 front setup.
I have looked at the original front setup however how does it ride and drive? I would think that it would not drive very well in traffic and on these great Texas roads.
What has been tried and how does it drive?

Thanks for all the input.

Ed Taylor

In good condition that original suspension will be just fine. Its the same design as a number of modern vehicles. That same basic design was used by Chevy through '59 on pickups.

I looked at a brand new motor home a week ago that has leaf springs and a straight axle front suspension. If you look around you'll notice that larger trucks have gone back to straight axles after some years using an IFS. The owner of the motorhome bragged how nice it goes down the road.

A Camaro clip will be too wide under your '39 so its not a good choice. The Mustang II approach is probably better than most the other IFS options, though exactly what you mean by putt around might drive toward one decision over another.

I just hate to see you toss the original suspension when its likely it will satisfy what you want if worn parts are repaired or replaced.

I'll second Steve's motion for the original stuff.
Grigg

I have an 89 F&%$ E350 passenger van that has a solid front axle. The ride compared with an IFS sucks. True, the ride of the original suspension will be fine and will serve you well, however a swap to an IFS will improve your ride and control considerably. Unless your a good welder I wouldn't attempt the clip or the MII. If you want the upgrade and lack the welder skills find someone else to do the install.

Big Chevy,

Does your ford e350 have a true solid front axle?
Or is it just the "twin I-beam" front, which is a sort of independent suspension, (although not a great one)?

If it truly is a one piece I-beam, has disc brakes, and 8 lugs, then I am very curious, as I have been looking for one,

Grigg

Grigg,

I have two 89 Ford E350 vans. Both have a solid axle and are not Twin-I Beam.
One we drive daily and one is for sale.

The stock fronts are of a design that is still in use 80 years later....so there can't be much wrong there !
As long as the King pins are in good condition and the springs still have a decent amount of compliency in them........
you'll have no problems pottering around the countryside.

The only parts to watch are the ball and spring type joints on all your steering components. These can become quite worn and mal-adjusted after a period of time and can develop a fair amount of wandering through the steering wheel.

A few miles of having to continually correct the steering over uneven surfaces will give you a fair indication as to the condition of your front end.
Only look at an IFS set up if you plan to do many miles each week,otherwise the cost and time is just not viable.
Don't forget it will probably completely change the look and stance of the vehicle a fair bit as well.
Hope this helps out some...all the best,

Thanks for all of the input. I am going to leave the original in and rebuild it back. I am going to redo all of the rod ends as well.

Thanks again Ed

Don't forget though, just because you reuse the original parts does not mean you are limited to 1930's technology. There are now power disc brake upgrades and polyurethane bushings available for those suspensions which will give make it more comfortable than a bone stock rebuild... and polyurethane is much more durable than rubber ever thought about being.

Eric has some good points there.....but be wary of eurethane bushes. True they are very hard wearing, but also very hard riding !
The only places you could put poly bushes in your truck is the spring eyelets.Remember this is the only thing insulating all the road shocks coming through your suspension and into the chassis of the truck.
New stock rubber will last an easy 20-30 years with care and provide a better ride than the worn originals.
A good place for eurethane bushes is on any lateral suspension components such as reaction and torque arms similar to early F@#& front ends', or on parts attached to a frame insulated from the chassis rails.
Best of luck with the truck Ed & many miles more.