I am building a 52 chevy pickup and trying to do it on a budget. I have heard of using the front components out of a mid 70's chevy 1/2 ton pickup. Has anyone heard of using the front components out of a mid 70's impala or similar car??

Yes, I've seen it done & it's too wide. Even w/special off set wheels & narrow tires you can not get the tires in under the fenders.

I have used 3 IFS under these trks. The front steer Camaro,the front steer G body cars(1978-88) & the Must II.

The G body car & camaro IFS ride & handle the best(use the F-41 springs-$60) & it's hard to beat the price. The Must II works well & is easier to install. The Camaro is 3" wider than the G body.(Malibu, El Camin, Buick Regal & Olds Cutless), thus you have to be carefull of wheel selection.

Good luck....if you need picture of the G body IFS installed let me know.

My current trk(48 GMC) has a Buick Regal IFS installed.

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Thanks for the info!! I'd love to see some pics. My email is olsen2544@yahoo.com

Hello-

I am building a 54 chevy 1/2 ton truck and I decided to use 88 corvette (C-4) front and rear suspension, the cost for the front and rear components as well as a front kit I bought from progressive automotive was less money than the cost of a Mustang II front suspension alone. I bought the suspension off of ebay for 1000 and paid 700. for the front crossmember kit as I dont like the stamped stock vette cradle. now this is just for the parts it does not include the fabrictaion and labor. however you are still going to be doing fab work with the the MII front and whatever rear end set up you choose. it just made sense as the vette stuff has IRS rear, and much bigger calipers 12 or 13", you will need to use a bigger rim to clear the caliper 16 or 17" min. and use a newer T bird steering rack as tyhe vette front is about 3" narrower. here are some links that I used during the "head scratching phase and research. I also have some pics. on my journal under "Roadsire"

http://www.seattlestreetrods.com/co..._suspension.htm

http://www.progressiveautomotive.com/default.htm

http://www.linger.com/nomad/Chassis.htm

Good luck

That's not cheaper than a Mustang II IFS. The Mustang II IFS on my '53 Chevy pickup cost $1000 complete including the Heidts crossmember kit, new upper and lower control arms, a set of swap meet strut rods and an 11" GM disk break kit. From what I can see you spent $1700 just for the parts and you didn't mention what it cost to rebuild that Vette front suspension either.

Don't get me wrong, the Progressive kit is a bargain if you want to spend the extra money for the Vette suspension but it's not cheaper than a basic Mustang II IFS by any stretch of the imagination. Now if you're talking one of the Heidts Super Ride kits with all the polished aluminum and chrome goodies, then you're probably right.

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That was for front AND rear suspension had 4000 miles on it added new ball joint and tie rod grease covers, yea i was lucky and your right if you had to do rebuilt it would get pricey quick. I was not aware that you could get a MII kit for 1000.00 in that case thats a good option, then add the cost of a rear end set up and I think you will see that they are at least comprable and they both require fabrication work, just my 2 cents worth, but thats what makes this site so nice is everyone has different ways of doing things that helps out every one.

You DID get a great deal! The big advantage of the Vette over the Mustang is of course the handling. For those interested in good handling over just cruising then the Vette kit is a great way to go.

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Olsen,

I know about doing it on a budget, of course mine was necessity and I'm a little cheap. I was very lucky in the fact that I had a very good friend give me a MII front-end. I paid only for the rebuild and brake parts, about $500.00.

Barry

Yeah I know how that goes!!!! My wife only agreed to letting me do this (the project) if she could manage the budget, so I am trying to scrape and claw together what ever I can. Actually, I lucked into a MII front end. It needs to be rebuilt, but it should be pretty simple other than that.

Thanks every one for all the input!!!!!!!!!!