The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Pinto IFS on 51 3100

Sup fellas, does anyone know if a Pinto IFS would work on a 51 3100? My front end is really really sloppy! From the wheel bearings to the tie rods to the alignment

I know a guy that has a junked Pinto and was tinkering with the idea, instead of rebuilding the front end.

Too lightweight for truck use. A Camaro clip or one of Scott Danforth's S10 based crossmembers would be better.

Thanx Longbox55. Where can I find more info on that Scott Danforths crossmember?

It would probably cost less to rebuild your front end and it would still be a truck.

A stock factory Pinto IFS is made out of stamped sheet metal, and I agree with Longbox55. It's too light. The aftermarket Mustang II IFS cross members are quite strong. The OEM MII spindles are forged and very strong. They use the same wheel bearings as the full size Ford cars. I have 2 AD trucks with Camaro clips that I installed and the ride is better than the MII. I put an MII IFS in a '51 Chevy Bel Aire and it rides stiff. But there are thousands of AD trucks running around with aftermarket Mustang II IFS in them. My friend has one in his truck and put 85,000+ miles on it with no problems. The S-10 crossmember is another good choice, but replace the factory style steering box with a rack and pinion steering set up. The S-10 steering box is too far forward. If cost is an important factor, I agree with cletis and would just rebuild your stock front end. I did that on my 3rd AD truck. The road handling of a straight axle truck vs. a IFS truck is quite different.

There was actually a recent thread on here about the M2 suspension and safety issues. Seems some of the big name suspension builders have been using incorrect parts to built them, causing premature failure. Namely, they've been using Chrysler threaded style upper balljoints as lower balljoints. That's subjecting the parts to loads they were not designed to handle. Plus on top of that, they press them in, instead of threading them in, so if you replace them using the proper procedure fo the balljoint, you destroy the control arm.
On a pesonal note, I do agree with cletis about the stock suspension. Properly rebuilt and with a few modern upgrades (sway bar, gas shocks, radial tirs), you would suprized at how well they really do handle. No road race corner carver by any means, but definetly up to the task of driving on todays highways.

Thanx for the input fellas. I guess that makes sense if the pinto IFS is made of stamped steel , it would be way to light! I can look into rebuilding my front end but adding a dropped axle?
Just a lower stance is kind of what I was aiming for.

you can ask me about my kits. if you want just a lower stance, talk to Sid.

the issue with pinto based parts is that the upper a-arms are located in slots on the spring perch. the sheet metal there fatigues and fails under repeated street use.

I have one of Sid's 3" dropped axles in my '52 and its perfect!
You get to keep your stock steering column,etc....
Plus, if theres any technical questions along the way,he's right there on the phone with the proper answers to help you thru it.
www.droppedaxles.com

the pinto IFS is made of stamped steel

Sort of like all the other cars on the road.
Sort of like the truck frame.

True, but it made of far lighter material that a control arm for a vehicle of equivalent weight and load capacity. Same goes for the balljoints and brakes on the Pinto/Mustang 2 frontend. There's much better options out there for a truck IFS.

I agree that a Pinto is too spindly for a truck.
Structural shapes made from sheet and plate are entirely reliable - if they come from a vehicle with a similar weight or load rating.

Agreed 100%. Most folks don't realize that stamped control arms are plenty strong for day to day use, and are even ok for harder use if properly reinforced/boxed. I gues it's because the aftermarket constantly shoved the "you need our tubular control arms for strength" bit.

Those dropped axles are awesome! wish I could just call and order it!

I just saw him at Turlock swap meet and sold him 20 core axles.
When i bought mine 2 yrs. ago, i had him fit new king pins for me also. Sid does awesome work!
Have it shipped Greyhound or Amtrak, youll have it in a week!!

Bro so what would standard shipping cost? Those axles arent very light!

I doubt if theres a "standard shipping" cost for those.
I would call him and ask him how he usually ships from Ok. to Tx.
Or go online and check "Amtrak Freight".

So I would have to do some heating and bending to the steering arm on the LF wheel correct? Or does he carry those as well?

The best thing to do would be to call Sid and ask him all the technical questions. He has the answers,he knows his product.
Years ago, when i installed my first dropped axle from another company,I had the front end alignment shop do the final fit for me.It got to be very expensive for work i could have done myself.

Thanx Marty. I will give him a call as soon as I get clearance from the financial dept.(wifey) lol