The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Task Force IFS swap

So I have a '57 1 ton panel and the IFS from a 75 suburban. I want to add the IFS for the power steering and disk brakes.

One way I have found to do this swap is found here
I like this way because it does not involve fully cutting the frame.

However, after taking a few measurements I have found the 75 frame width is exactly the same as the 57 at the point at which I cut it. The thoughts with this is that it would be easier because it would be sliding one front end out and one in. Knowing that a significant amount of gusseting and plating would be added for strength.

I would plan to use this as a daily driver.

Any suggestions?

You probably know this, but just in case you have not thought about it--If you do cut the front frame off and weld in a new one, make sure you know where your radiator core support was on the old one, and get it back in the same place. The front clip (hood, fenders, and grill) will fit up to that core and it must be in the right place.

I do have that on the back of my mind, thank you.

I'm not understanding why you are cutting the frame. Just bolt the '75 IFS to you existing frame.

Like Rob said "Bolt it in"
Unbolt the 57's let it drop to the ground clean the frame up and slide the 75 IFS under your frame, measure and remeasure, drill the holes and "bolt it in"
Check out Robs truck
Here's a link to Steve Andereggen's site ( he's a fellow bolter) AND it's the very one that Rob installed in his 1950 3600.
With your frames both being the same width it sound's like it would be easier and a real clean install ?
Be sure to post some pictures ! I think using the 57 as your daily driver is awesome !!

Now that's a great link Todd. ...makes me want to get a 57 and do the same swap.

I think that bolting it in is the way to go but we are going to weld for extra strength and the Andereggen swap is for 47.5 to 55 1st series trucks because of different measurements. Here are some pictures of the truck I took in order to help me put it back together correctly.

Thank you for your opinions and advice

I think you would be adding alot of extra work by cutting and welding the frame. In your original post you said "However, after taking a few measurements I have found the 75 frame width is exactly the same as the 57 at the point at which I cut it."

That being the case, why not just unbolt it from the donor vehicle and bolt it to yours? If you want extra strength just weld it after bolting it on and forget about it. You gotta remember that there are thousands of C10's around from the factory that had the IFS just bolted to the frame with no problems.

What I am thinking of doing is switching the front ends from the firewall foreward. I cut the C10 frame at the firewall and it is the same width as the 57 at the firewall. However, where the A-arms and other IFS parts mount to the frame, the C10 frame tapers to be narrower(about 28.5" I think) whereas the 57 frame is 34" bumper to bumper.

I think these pictures will help visualize what I am dealing with.