[Crakums_GT]

I've read many different threads about suspension on pickups. I've decided to look for a doner IFS which will give the front of my 1952 Chevy 3600 a low smooth ride in the front. My question is what is the best way about dropping the rear end? Any help on this much appreciated as I am hoping to finish the suspension soon so I can begin the hunt for engine/tranny. Thanks

-Greg

[NEW INTERIORS]

The nova clips are nice.I had a Camaro clip in my 51 Chevy truck,It rode great,A very big difference in the ride.The good thing about the Nova clips,They are a little narrower then the Camaro.About a 1.5'' hub to hub.The back,You need to put the rear end on top of the spring,Then you can add a bock between the spring and the rear end to set the rod.There is other ways,It's just how far and how much you have to spend..

[Flipper_1938]

I put my 48 chevy flatbed on a 1991 extended cab S-10 frame and love it. It is plenty low in almost stock s-10 configuration. Some people don't like the really narrow front end, but I can tuck my 20's and drive just fine.

If you are going to run a bed. The standard cab long bed is the S-10 to get.

My rusty/ratty 48 chevy truck build (w/ pics)

[techinspector1]

You can have a low-stance vehicle with any front or rear suspension, but you need to adjust your thinking and consider the car/truck as three separate and distinct units. Front suspension, body and rear suspension. The front and rear suspension can be placed anywhere you want them by "Z"-ing the frame rails. All the geometry can remain the same as stock, but the ride height will be wherever you want it.

[Flipper_1938]

Originally Posted by techinspector1

You can have a low-stance vehicle with any front or rear suspension, but you need to adjust your thinking and consider the car/truck as three separate and distinct units. Front suspension, body and rear suspension. The front and rear suspension can be placed anywhere you want them by "Z"-ing the frame rails. All the geometry can remain the same as stock, but the ride height will be wherever you want it.

The S-10 basically has a Z from the factory. That is why they are nice to swap into stuff. ....and narrow enough to keep the front tires off of the fender lip.

My truck is low, but goes down the road like a stock S-10. My suspenion is stock except for cutting a coil and a quarter off of the front.

[techinspector1]

Yeah, but when you cut the coils, you screwed up the stock geometry.

[NEW INTERIORS]

I agree with Techinspector1....Cutting the springs isn't the right way..It can be done.But not right.As far as the s-10 you can make it work well under a lot of things.I just don't like the narrow frame rails.You have to fight with headers to much.And the rear end won't hold up to a lot of hp.Don't even think about putting a big block in front of it.. The best way to do it,Is like Techinspector1 has said.when you zee the frame up front,you can set any ride height you want.I'm not knocking your truck so don't take it that way.It came out nice.Greg ..Good luck with what ever way you go..

[Crakums_GT]

Where can I find help on "Z"ing the frame? I've actually neve heard that term. I am not a welder but have a lot of help in that area from the auto-hobby shop here on the Air Force Base.

-Greg

[NEW INTERIORS]

here's some shots of my 41 willys frame.I put a arrow pointing at the zee..


Here's a few more that I have done..Hope this helps you..

[Crakums_GT]

Thank you. I wouldn't know where to start with that though. I'm thinking, if there's nothing wrong with doing it, that I will find a Mustang II IFS with drop spindles, and then lowering blocks for the rear w/conversion to disc. I don't think I'll need to z the frame with an MII IFS. As said before this is my very first project so I'm learning as I go. Thanks again..

-Greg

[techinspector1]

$350 is a lot of money for dropped spindles when you can Z the car for a tenth of that and put the tire anywhere you want it, not just 2". Just a thought.

None of us popped out of the womb knowing this stuff. You can learn too.

[Crakums_GT]

That's a good idea, thanks. So does this sound like a good plan then? Z the frame, put a MII IFS on it, and add lowering blocks on rear with disc brake conversion. My only question now is, will the stock rear track with the MII suspension? Also what's the easiest way to go about finding gears for the rear so it doesn't have a melt down during freeway speeds? Thanks again for all the help guys.

-Greg