The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs IFS & Disc Brakes & Lowered 1966 Suburban

I have searched and searched the forums on dropping, converting to front disc brakes AND swapping out the IFS on a 1966 Suburban. I can not find much on the forums on doing this.

Basically wanting the least expensive way of lowering my Burb, and have disc brakes on it too. I have more time than I have money.

Thought I could swap out the IFS to a later model in order to get the disc brakes off of it. Than drop it using drop spindles.

Anyone know of this process and the least expensive way of doing this. I would like to hear from you.

The IFS used '63 through '87 on pickups and a few years longer on Blazers and Suburbans is the same basic design. Depending on exactly what years you are dealing with some holes may need to be enlarged, but its basically a bolt in swap.

Starting in 1971 disk brakes were available, so all you need do is find a '71 or later and swap the complete crossmember with suspension. I'd subbest looking for one with power steering and swapping that too.

You can find these things nearly free, so establish a budget and look for the one in best condition that you can afford. Remember even the newest ones are nearly 20 years old and likely to need ball joints and bushings.

If you could find one in a wrecking yard that already had dropped spindles that could be your best bet for doing this on the cheap, though the drop spindles aren't real expensive.

If you have more time than money I'd suggest spending time finding good parts cheap.

The disk brake trucks are all 5-lug, so you are either going to change the rear also, so have both 5- and 6-lug wheels going this route.

I have found a 1980's suburban and took out the IFS and the Power Steering and PS Pump. It was an easy swap so far. Had to drill out the three holes per side, to a bigger size on the frame. Than had to drill two new holes on each side too and that was it! It was super easy and saved me a ton of cash.

Here is a NEW pic.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj120/Chevanman/1966%20Chevy%20Suburban/IFSswap1980to1987pic2.jpg

Another pic:
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj120/Chevanman/1966%20Chevy%20Suburban/IFSswap1980to1987pic1.jpg

The motor mounts off the 80's IFS will not work, but the 60's ones look like it will work out fine. Next is to figure out the Power Steering unit and steering.

The 80's power steering pump might mount off the head. If that's the case it won't mount on a '66 motor. Either you need an earlier pump (at least the brackets) or later heads.

I have found out the truck I got all this off of is a 73-80 model. Plus I am rebuiling a 350 and putting it in the 66 Burb.

Thanks for the advice. Next I will be doing the power booster. Any advice here??? What works best? I am looking for a booster that is not very big but will do the job of stopping this truck. How do you hook one up - never done this work before.

I am also installing the power steering box. Seems easy so far. Just put in some spacers and grind off the old steering joint and than attach it to the newer style that bolts on.

(Just check out the pics up above, or here are the links again.)

Here are pics of the new disc brakes going in:
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj120/Chevanman/1966%20Chevy%20Suburban/IFSswap1980to1987pic2.jpg

I used a trans jack for this and it worked great!
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj120/Chevanman/1966%20Chevy%20Suburban/IFSswap1980to1987pic1.jpg

It is now bolted in after doing the drilling.