[rodz]

Me and my son are building a father and son project 48 gmc hot rod truck. I just got the old suspension stripped out and the entire frame sandblasted. I have bought a 10 bolt rearend out of a 74 nova ss for the rear suspension. Does anyone have any idea on a front suspension I can use. I really don't want to clip it. Would like to keep it fairly low. Hope to use a 4 bar rear set up. Where should I start? This is my first truck.....Ed

[advanced design]

Ed,

Welcome to Hotrodders and good luck with your father / son project. My suggestion would be to go with a MII based unit from Heidts or Fatman. Centerline, one of the members here, has a nice article on his web site about installing one of these units.

Now if I could just get my daughters interested in the building process .....

Have fun!

[Deuce]

As one of the Moderators here......let me be the first to

WELCOME YOU HERE........


There is a lot of useful information here on these trucks..... just not from me.........


I am a old Ford type myself......

DEUCE

[Centerline]

I don't have all the answers but if you're looking for possible suspension ideas for AD trucks check here.

Centerline

[H2Os50]

You might also want to check out Industrial Chassis in Phoenix, AZ. http://www.industrialchassisinc.com/

My project is a '50 Chevy pickup. Not too far removed from your '48 GMC.

They use the Dodge Dakota front end for their setup. I liked it better than the Mustang II setup. When I looked at them, it was a little heavier duty than the Mustang. The Dakota is a small pickup after all. The crossmember fit well and I was able to find a complete front clip at a wrecking yard to get all of the other parts for $250 (price for the clip), control arms, brakes, spindles, power rack, etc. Hope this helps.

H2Os50

[Driven]

Another choice is a graft. Grafting the Nova or Camaro front end isn't all that difficult. Just take your time and double check your measurments.
Don't forget to check out other Corporate cars that had the "stub" frame frontends. They are basically the same and sometimes overlooked and their pricing is cheaper.

[523100]

H2Os50: so you were able to put a Dakota front end in your '50 PU? How much cutting and fitting? What year Dakota?

[murry42]

ed if you havent done anything to your truck yet.i used a suspenson,set up from a 81 c10 1/2 ton chevytruck .this unit unbolts from doner trk and will fit great in your trk,my trk is a47 chevy with a big blok in it and this setup bolts in with 1/2 in spachers on the out side of the framei,ll find the web sight for you and get back with info you need

[murry42]

go to 50chevy.freeservers.com this is all you will need trust me

[H2Os50]

532100,

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. My job takes me out of town a lot.

Didn't need to do much cutting. Just a little trim up by the radiator mount. The unit does require it to be welded in. About 20" top and bottom on both frame rails for the crossmember and on top and outside the frame for the spring hats. All the parts came with center lines marked and instructions. They do offer a complete unit. I just bought the front crossmember, spring hats, motor mounts and bump stops. About $800.

If I remember correctly, Industrial Chassis uses '87 to '97 Dodge Dakota front ends. I went with the '87 because it used a 5 lug bolt pattern on the wheels. Dodge went to a 6 lug bolt pattern in '90 (I think).

Hope this helps.

H2os50