I talked my neighbor into updating his 50 Chevy Pickup with newer suspension and engine. What are his options on the front suspension - mustang IFS, Camaro subframe, any other choices, pros and cons
Thanks

I like using a late 70's Trans Am sub frame, not just a regular Firebird. The T-A has heavier sway bars, big rotors and a quick ratio steering box. And if you car find a parts car look at the GM 10 bolt under the rear it may have disk brakes. That would be a double whammy!

Then grab the brake booster and your set.

Also the Pontiac motors were big blocks so the spring can hold up pleanty.

Just my .02 cents. Hope it was helpful.

nova, camaro, firebird clips are great. they give you motor mounts,steering, etc, but you want to know what you are doing when installing them. they are not easy if done right. once you cut that frame off the truck is junk if not done properly.i generaly use mustang 11 front ends,you can use stock or aftermarket components, fairly easy to install,and tidy.
this is not gospel only my opinion. good luck on your project.

I completely agree about clips. Many ways to screw one up but only one way to do it right. I used a Mustang II kit on my '53 and my '41 and they are pretty much no brainers. Install easily and you have the option of big disks and power steering without the hasstle of trying to mount the front sheet metal on a clip that wasn't designed for it. My $.02

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"Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

generally, if it's a truck, it'll get used like one and a MII has NO PLACE under a truck.
BTW, you can screw up a MII install,too.
kinda depends on what the end result is gonna be used for...
if bucks aren't an object, get a heidts superide.
upgrade the coilover springs to about 550-600 lbs and forget it.
i've seen them take a beating that NO MII would hold up to.

Been using a MII unit under a '45 Ford PU for a long time and it will stand the abuse of daily driving and pulling a trailer and whatever else you want to do with a truck. And the only sheet metal work was trimming the inner fenderwells to clear the upper a-arms.

I agree completely. Mustang II kits are for the most part much stronger than many people think. That said, I also agree that if you're going to use your truck as a "working" vehicle driving over back roads, pulling big loads etc. you might want something a bit beefier like the mid 70's Chevy pickup suspension. It will bolt on fairly easily and doesn't require any frame butchery. However in my opinion its just a little bit wide for the AD trucks.

Although anything can be screwed up its pretty hard to mess up a Mustang II kit. I suppose if you can't read English or measure with a yardstick you could mess one up and I’m sure someone has but given the number of successfully installed kits out there the number of poor installs would have to be very low. Heck, if you use the fat guy’s stuff you don't even need to know how to weld. I still say that for the vast majority of "street rods" including trucks, the Mustang suspension is more than adequate.


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"Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

...and that's what i'm saying.
jalopy45, how big a trailer?
a small tagalog ain't what i'm talking about.
i'm talking 18' cartrailer, loaded(overloaded usually).
keep in mind even with a 11" disc upgrade, it ain't enough to stop it IF the trailer brakes crap out

hey if yer just hauling an engine or something occasionally, it PROBABLY won't be a problem.

BTW, don't use a pacer, too wide+parts are a ***** to find plus $$$.
plenty heavy, though...

Tow a 16 foot car trailer with a sometimes complete altered on it and usually a spare engine, parts, fuel and tools in the bed. I've upgraded to 11" brakes up front and I'm using an 8.8" rearend w/discs out of a 96 Mustang. All I got is surge brakes on the trailer. And I don't drive it any different than I drive my 18 wheeler.

I just put a Must II in my '46 Chevy panel truck, haven't got it finish out yet but it was very easy. And the kit I got was made to fit my truck so that made it better. Got the 11" disc and the right springs for the weight

[ February 17, 2003: Message edited by: Bluepen ]</p>

Thanks to all those who replied. It looks like the MII won. He wants to fix it up for his wife with V8/auto. Now it has the 6 with 4 on the floor, it is very nice but not fast enough for her, as far as hauling/towing...maybe suitcases.