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51 chevy truck suspension

5798 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  packratwrecker, 
J
just bought old 51 1/2 ton truck. the seller said i should replace front end with camaro front end. what is best?
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O
Knowledge base

Try looking through all these threads..should answer most of your questions..

http://hotrodders.com/kb/suspension-brakes-steering/clusters/frameswaps.html

OMT
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J
I have a 54 chevy truck. Looking to do the same thing. Been looking at RB's obsolete bolt in system. Sells for around 1800.00. Still saving for it. Only one I have found that bolts in. Keep me posted on your progress. My project won't start until Spring.
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C
The Camaro is too wide. If you must go with a clip use a Nova. They're a bit narrower and you tires won't rub the inside lip of the fenders.

Centerline
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K
Use the Nova clip. The other stuff will still drive like an old pinto. Check the forum on Must 11 front ends for horror stories on malfunctions. Some kits are good, other mfg. should be in prison. Just make sure that whoever does the clip knows what they are doing.
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Kurt said:
Use the Nova clip. The other stuff will still drive like an old pinto. Check the forum on Must 11 front ends for horror stories on malfunctions.
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99% of problems with Mustang II IFS systems are caused by people eliminating strut rods. Why some people and manufacturers think they know more than Detroit's engineers really escapes me.

Mustang II IFS systems are very safe and work well on AD trucks and a whole lot of other vehicles as long as the strut rods aren't eliminated and the system is installed properly.

Centerline
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S
I will vote with Centerline, when you get it in place add a set of Bilstine shocks you will love it !!

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K
I agree as well that the must 11 system is very safe if left as Ford intended it. I personally like the ride of the Nova system better, and I have some issues with the bigger brake kits for the Must., though I'm not sure it makes a difference in real life. G.M. designed their calipers to be supported on both sides of the rotor. The conversion kit{just like almost any conv. kit out there} only supports it on the inside. My concern is over time the caliper could twist under braking, causing uneven pad wear, and some interesting braking problems. I have never experienced this but I wonder if it would happen. Maybe some one with a ton of miles on one could chip in on this one?
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O
It really comes down to the individuals judgment as to which front end or clip to use..How much is the vehicle to be driven..What kind of loads are contemplated..those sorts of questions..once that is answered then a particular part can be chosen..

I know this is not much of an answer for anyone who wants to know "what to use" It just takes study and being honest as to what end result is desired..

Personally I go with the systems used in IMCA racing as they have beens shown to hold up better to hard use..

For a pickup I would use the nova and for a lite street rod the mustang II is fine... Something I consider if it is a trcuk is that I know I will be told that the owner will never haul anything but then the truck gets pressed into service to haul engine blocks or something..I woudl rather be on the safe side of the deal myself

Thsnks

OMT
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R
I helped a friend install a `79 camaro front sub into a `50 chevy pu about 15 yrs ago, yes its was just a tad wide with 7 inch rims, but after we were done and all bushings replaced and new brakes it handled like a dream power steering to boot, in-fact everything out of that camaro was used, front clip, rear axle, gas tank, steering column, wiring harness, engine/trans, bucket seats and one months time! Rick :welcome:
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P
I don't see why everyone thinks that rustang II front ends are so great. If you want to put a compact car front end under your fullsize pickup, why not get one from a Toyota, Mazda, or Mitsubishi.
While your putting Ford parts under your Chevy, why not just slap in a 289? It will bolt right to the crossmember.
It amazes me continuosly, why people that wouldn't walk across the street to take a leak on a burning Ford, will butcher up their pride and joy, so they can stuff a MII under it.
Just so I'm contibuting and not just grumbling, I'd go with the Nova sub. A lot of the parts interchange with a Camaro. I know the swaybars will, because I helped a buddy put the big bars on his Nova.
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packratwrecker said:
I don't see why everyone thinks that rustang II front ends are so great. If you want to put a compact car front end under your fullsize pickup, why not get one from a Toyota, Mazda, or Mitsubishi.
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Spoken just like someone who has never checked into the engineering of the Mustang II IFS. Don't get me wrong, it's not something I would expect 99% of "Chevy" guys to have done.

Just so you'll know in the future, the Mustang II IFS is so popular for several reasons. They are easy to install, easy to get parts for, and most importantly they're designed to support a lot of weight. You may think of the Mustang II as a compact car but the suspension was designed to support a fully loaded Ford small block (approximately 475 lbs.) mounted (centered) directly over the crossmember. In street rods the engine is typically mounted behind the crossmember (front damper aligned at or near the center of the crossmember). The further back the engine is mounted the more weight is transfered to the rear. When using a Mustang II IFS, even with a 750 lb. big block Chevy mounted with it's front damper over the crossmember the typical Mustang IFS system only needs the same springs that the 4 cylinder Mustangs used. If you try to install the V8 springs you won't be able to get the suspension to even move they're so strong.

This pic explains why the Mustang II IFS actually supports less weight in a typical street rod than it was initially designed to carry. In the top image the stock Mustang V8 carried 1850 lbs on the front suspension. The Pinto carried somewhat less at 1700. The street rod only carries 1600 lbs. due to the location of the engine. The Hotrodders.com logo blocked out the numbers on the photo but you can confirm this by going to the Heidts site, which is where the pic came from.


Not that I expect to convince you, I understand that some guys are very loyal to a particular brand, but I just wanted you to understand why they are so popular. My Chevy pickup for instance has a Ford front suspension with GM disk brakes, Dodge rear suspension, Pontiac rear end, Chrysler engine, Chevy trans, Miata door hardware, an Oldsmobile seat, AMC windshield wiper mechanisms and an Oldsmobile drive shaft. As you can see, I'm not all that brand loyal except for power.

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poncho62
I can only go by personal experience, but I used a 76 Nova sub under my 51 Ford pickup.......probably similar width.

I did this 10+ years ago and it handles/drinves/brakes very well. I have towed my house trailer thousands of miles with it.
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poncho62 said:
I can only go by personal experience, but I used a 76 Nova sub under my 51 Ford pickup.......probably similar width.

I did this 10+ years ago and it handles/drinves/brakes very well. I have towed my house trailer thousands of miles with it.
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Oh....MY.... GOD! A Ford with a Chevy clip???? The horror of it all! :thumbup: :thumbup:

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poncho62
Centerline said:
Oh....MY.... GOD! A Ford with a Chevy clip???? The horror of it all! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Centerline
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Put a HEMI in it and I would be all set......................lol
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poncho62 said:
Put a HEMI in it and I would be all set......................lol
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I've got a spare if you need one. :welcome:

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I got a better one.
My neighbor has a 56 Ford F-150, with a Mopar torsion bar frontend under it.
What did he say....Cordoba, i think.
It's the one with lateral torsion bars, instead of transverse ones.
Anyhow, it has pretty good stance with the steel front end, and a 460 sitting on top of it.

Personally, I still think I'd stick with the Nova sub, if you aren't going to rebuild the straight axle.
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