The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Mustang II IFS for 3/4 Ton 53 Chevy Pickup?

I would like to put a Mustang II IFS on my 53 3/4 Ton Chevy Pickup. What modification, if any, will be needed to use the kit on the 3/4 ton frame?

The truck still has the original six cylinder engine. I am considering dropping in a 350 engine and swapping to a 350 or 400 transmission. I plan to use the truck for a daily driver and only haul light loads.

I am new to rodding so I appreciate your recommendations and advice.

Welcome to the Stovebolt. I am also working on a 3/4 ton truck. Mine is a 52. Have you considered a cross member made by one of the members here?

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=688682&page=1

I bought one from Scott for $480. I didn't have to pay shipping as I met him on his way to his new house here in WI. So far this one seems to be the best bang for the buck, you use all stock parts for suspension and brakes. OR you can go complete aftermarket.

I can tell you the kit seems top notch. I am looking forward to trying to install it this winter.

But to answer your question you have to attach the Mustang II front end to the existing frame. Someone will be along shortly to explain some of the ways other members have done it. Here's a thread on it:

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...ds=mustang+II&Search=true#Post679855

Mustang 2 suspension is far too light for a 3/4 ton truck. A better solution would be to use a complete crosmember from a full size '73-'87 Chevrolet truck, which not only has the load capacity, but will also have brakes capable of stopping a 4000# + truck.

60Vette
This is what I have on my 52 3100 http://www.progressiveautomotive.com/sweet.htm
I like it very much and would do it again.

That's what I used on my 3600. Got mine from a '79 and narrowed it so that I didn't have to use spacers and the wheels wouldn't stick out.

I think longbox is considering a pinto ifs when he says it's too light for a 3/4 ton. I installed a Heidts system and it works well for my 1951 3/4 ton. Actually there is little difference between a 3100 and a 3600 AD except heavy duty springs in the rear, heavy duty front end, and rear rails 11" more narrow than a 1/2 ton.
When you swap the original front end for the IFS you basically have a 1/2 ton.

No, I was considering any Pinto/M2 suspension. The design is for a car that weighs under 2500#, far too light, even with the aftermarket parts, for truck use, especially if one is going to carry a load in it. A better choice, other than the truck crossmember mentioned, would be to use a crossmember that uses GM A or G body components. It would still down grade to capacity, though.

Cracked Head,

Thanks for both links. I plan to read a lot of the threads to get up to speed on what's available, but I appreciate you pointing me in the right direction.

I will definitely give Scott a call.

Thanks,
60Vette

LONGBOX55,

I appreciate the info and especially for letting me know which model years will work. I will check around to see if I can find a donor truck.

websterhotrods,

I read the thread that Cracked Head provided on Mustang II front ends. I am willing to use a front end from a donor truck if I can find one reasonably priced, but since I don't have a lot of time to search, I like the idea of buying a kit.

Do you forsee any problem installing the Sweet Ryde kit on the 3/4 ton frame?

Thanks for the link.

MobileOrtho,

I was looking through project pics of your truck.

Any particular problems that you experienced on your install?

Thanks.

BIG CHEVY 3600,

I am glad to hear that an IFS kit will work on the 3/4 ton frame. I was not sure what the specific differences were between the frames.

I did not want to order a kit only to find out that it would require extensive modification.

Thanks for the info.

There is very little difference between 1/2 & 3/4 tons. The front suspension is a bit heavier and the rear (not the front) rails are closer together (11") on the 3/4. Otherwise it is a 1/2 ton. Some of the vendor parts, like the rear sway bar from ccp are made for the 12 ton and will need a bit of adjustment to install but overall most stuff are not a challenge.
http://www.classicperform.com/tech_articles/SwayBarChevyTruck/SwayBarChevyTruck.htm

Nah, everything was pretty straight forward, I chose this route because it was simple and relatively inexpensive. I did some swapping for the IFS but you can get them for around $150 in any bone yard. It cost me about $60 or so to have it narrowed plus the cost of replacement parts like tie rods & such. There were a few articles I used as a reference. If you're thinking about doing this let me know and I'll shoot them your way.

Don't use a 71-72, or 73 Pinto front end... use the 74 and up stuff!

I've got a Heidts IFS kit in my 39 chevy Pickup, but I dont use it as a truck either... It's got 11 inch chevy disk brakes. I originally had 2 inch drop spindles, but it sat pretty low, so I put on the stock height spindles and I like it now.

My 37 Binder has a 73 Pinto Station wagon front end in it, which is too light to use as a truck. I put the 2 inch drop spindles that came with the Heidts IFS along with 11 inch disks.

Mobileortho,

I asked a local guy who owns a small bone yard to check on a front end and rear end for my truck. I would like to get started on the truck for a winter project. If you don't mind sending those articles, I would appreciate it.

BIG CHEVY 3600,

That's good to know. When I first called one of the IFS kit manufacturers, the sales guy did not know whether the kit would fit the 3/4 ton frame. Now its just a matter of deciding whether to order a kit or to find parts from a donor vehicle.

Thanks.

Rusty Rod,

Because I am completely new to rodding, I really appreciate specific information on which make model donor vehicles to use and which ones to steer away from.

I appreciate the info.

This is one by Jon C Peters. Hope it helps.

Mobileortho,

Thanks for the article.

Took a while to reply - I managed to get out of town over the Thanksgiving holiday last week.

the 63 and up front end is to wide and hangs down too low here is a link to a 52 chevy 3/4 ton that i made into a short bed street truck with a hiedts mustang ii front end http://www.chevybombs.net/forum/index.php?topic=12518.0