The Stovebolt.com Forums Home | Tech Tips | Gallery | FAQ | Events | Features | Search
Help is a click away!

VEHICLE
INFORMATION
KITS


at the

GM Heritage Center
All the details are here.

Searching the Site - a click away
click here to search
New here ??? Where to start?
Click on image for the lowdown. Where do I go around here?
====
Who's Online Now
6 members (FAST55, MRMEROTH11, Hotrod Lincoln, Otto Skorzeny, carbking, TUTS 59), 98 guests, and 1 robot.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics128,051
Posts1,055,768
Members48,426
Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026
Step-by-step instructions for pictures in the forums
Brad Allen's photos

AD Chevy Trucks

Pictures galore
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!

Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!

Big Thanks!

THANKS!

For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for

over 30 years!

and not clogged down
with Ads!


Again, thanks!

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#525019 04/05/2009 9:19 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 99
C
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
C Offline
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 99
What is the difference between these 2? I know what the physical difference is but on my 1.5 ton will I notice any real changes in handling , ride or load carrying ability. I am going to swap out the original and before I go running around to every boneyard around, I want to have some idea as to what I want and why I'm laying on my back under some old truck figuring.

canuck #525023 04/05/2009 9:29 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,351
L
'Bolter
'Bolter
L Offline
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,351
In order to keep the capacity, you'll need to look for a '60-'72 C40. Thsoe are the only years that GM offered IFS on a 1 1/2 ton truck. The currenty available aftermarket IFs will be far below capacity, as they are based on passenger car designs. You might be able to get away with the '73-'87 truck style, but you'll want to use the 1 ton version, preferrably from a Dually, but there will still be some dimisished capacity.


Bill Burmeister
LONGBOX55 #525036 04/05/2009 10:06 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,878
G
.
.
G Offline
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,878
GM did offer IFS on 1.5 ton trucks much later than 72. Many P30 chassis came with IFS and a similar 5 and 10 lug bolt pattern to what you may already have?
They made these in the 80's for sure, probably even the 90's, and later??
This Tech Tip is geared toward I-beam axles, but there is a very little bit about the different P30 and similar chassis with IFS.
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/bigbolts/p30swap/

Personally I would stick with the I-beam, In my opinion they ride just fine for a truck.

Grigg


1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
Grigg #525041 04/05/2009 10:19 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,351
L
'Bolter
'Bolter
L Offline
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,351
Forgot about those P sereis vans, most of those I see around here are 8 lug 1 tons, the bigger ones I've seen had I beams.
I do agree with you, I'd stick with the I beam, too.


Bill Burmeister
LONGBOX55 #525090 04/06/2009 12:30 AM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 334
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
S Offline
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 334
I agree with Longbox55. A I beam that is in good shape, king pins, shackles etc. is perfectly fine.
Samantha


1954 Chevy 3100
Picked from the Field
Follow in the DITY
Samantha #526479 04/09/2009 5:49 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 165
A
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
A Offline
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 165
The difference between a IFS and a straight axle is worlds apart in ride, but this comes from tow ton trucks one a 57 Chev the other a 61 GMC with the ifs it rides like a Caddy while the Chev rides like a wagon, but I don't know if it would be worth the work to swap it in.


Moderated by  69Cuda, Super55 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Home | FAQ | Gallery | Tech Tips | Events | Features | Search | Hoo-Ya Shop
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0