Front end swap help

just dave · NIXON, ONT

Front end swap help

captainq · ST GEORGE, ONT

My buddy did the same thing on a 54 chev. Made a spacer up for the width, I put the crossmember in a 60 and used 2 inch drop springs and drop lower A arms, brought it way down, If you need i can get my friends email for you Steve

BARRIE, ONTARIO

Yeah x 2 . Even tho I haven't done it myself . I know a few guys who have used spindles an springs to get the ride height they want .
I know one of the guys put the frt end together , then with out frt springs in , put a floor jack under frt x member , then took pics from the side , at different heights to figger out how he wanted it too look ..77.

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

chev caprice upper and lower control arms will fit the chev truck front frame and are 2 inches narrower, using the springs from the car as well should solve all your problems

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

The truck that you own is one of the best vehicles for custom options . sounds like the 73 to 86 swap that you had to cut the hole thing down or run offset wheels to get them back under the fenders. Really how many times do you think its possible to hack something off and weld it back on. Search the net find a kit you like and install it or have someone do it. god you can even buy a straight axle thats drooped 4 " with a power rack and pinion for that model. A lot of the IFS conversions were done when there was no other option . In the end you can mess around with bits and pieces spend countless hours and probably close to the same amount of money as a properly engineered front end that you know will work. The end look is up to you but trying to fix what you have is like buying 30 $ socks to make your 10$ shoes feel better smile smile

BARRIE, ONTARIO

My 50 axeually has a AMC Pacer frt end under it , similar to pinto mustang 2 but heavier duty every thing . The Pacer has a curb weight of approx. 3500 lbs . unequal length upper an lower c arms , sway bar , power rack an pinion strg , an 10 .5 inch power disc brakes . and a bolt pattern that matches a ford passenger car 9 inch reaR END .
Truck handles aces , on corner ,s high way , turns , braking , wind , parking lots , u name it .
And a very easy swap . Finding one is the problem , I run a 14 inch x 6.5 inch wide zero offset rim on the front , works fine . you just gotta eggsperiment an figger out what is gonna work for you an get you to where you want to be .
But , Guy is right you gotta make sure the cuts an welds an brackets are well designed and welded ..77.

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

Theres a pacer wagooooooon 3 houses north on center road just past carlisle rd . carlisle ont north of waterdown. On the front lawn for sale. Sweet ride for sure some on kijij way to much for just the front end. 3500-9000

just dave · NIXON, ONT

Hi guys.

Thanks to everyone thats replied.

Theres some helpful info here and it's appreciated greatly!

I'm gonna have to do some more research and see whats affordable.

Thanks a lot for the info, keep it comin

Dave

34guy · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Dave

Have you still got the I beam set up and would you be interested in selling it

thanks joe mac

just dave · NIXON, ONT

@ 34guy

yes...... and yes!

i tried to pm ya

34guy · MISSISSAUGA, ONT

Hey Dave

is that axle got 5 bolt hubs or 6 bolt thanks joe mac

just dave · NIXON, ONT

Hey joe

its a 6 bolt pattern but has 5 bolts only

looks like 1 on each hub was cut off at some point

Dave

Builderrhys · SARNIA, ONT

Do you have any pictures? I would like to see how this is set up. I don't think it would be much of an expense to get it lower. As an example, here is my 86 GMC lowered with drop pocket tubular upper and lower control arms. Not the best pictures but they lowered it a ton for cheap. Rhys.

atomsplitter · NEWCASTLE, ONT

Try this site.

67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/forumdisplay.php

And this site.

www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php

Ask lots of questions!

parklane · St THOMAS, ONT

77 wrote:
My 50 axeually has a AMC Pacer frt end under it , similar to pinto mustang 2 but heavier duty every thing . The Pacer has a curb weight of approx. 3500 lbs . unequal length upper an lower c arms , sway bar , power rack an pinion strg , an 10 .5 inch power disc brakes . and a bolt pattern that matches a ford passenger car 9 inch reaR END .
Truck handles aces , on corner ,s high way , turns , braking , wind , parking lots , u name it .
And a very easy swap . Finding one is the problem , I run a 14 inch x 6.5 inch wide zero offset rim on the front , works fine . you just gotta eggsperiment an figger out what is gonna work for you an get you to where you want to be .
But , Guy is right you gotta make sure the cuts an welds an brackets are well designed and welded ..77.

I had the same thing in my 54 5window way back when. As 77 said, ride, handling, braking, steering was excellent. Because the spindles bolt on, I could lower and raise the front end easily and quickly with a 1/2" plate I made up. The clip was almost a drop in.

just dave · NIXON, ONT

Here's a few pictures.

The first 2 sho how the front end is too high as it sits

3rd pic is a shot of frame resting on x member

Last pic shows overall width where tires probably will hit fenders.

Builderrhys · SARNIA, ONT

Hello Dave,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the wheelbase on the 52 would be identical to the 73 to 87 frame. Why not just make a late model frame swap instead of the front stub? All you would have to play with are cab subframe supports I think and the odd box mount or box crossmember. You can then play with ride height to your hearts content with aftermarket stuff. If you want to go with a narrower track width I would stick with the tried and true 70-81 camaro or nova subframe. Lets see if anyone else can comment on frame interchangeability, Rhys.

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

by the look of what you have going on there, i think that gm crossmemeber is ripe for the notching. find some caprice arms to narrow it 2 inches i think that would be pretty easy and effective

just dave · NIXON, ONT

builderrhys- I dont really knnow enough to attempt a frame swap, to me it seems like a big job

fatstax- would these caprice control arms be the same year ( 1981 ) as the x member, or is there a wide year range that'll fit?

Thanks for the help everyone!

Dave

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

i think any caprice or other similiar big gm car right up to the 90's even.

just dave · NIXON, ONT

Awesome

Thanks for the info man

Really appreciate

I'll have to research it and hope it works out.

Sounds like an easy peazy fix

Thanks again

Dave

just dave · NIXON, ONT

Tonns of info coming in here.

Thanks guys

I think i'll hold off on frame swaps for a later project

I think whats going to be easiest for myself is cut a 2' step out of the x member then grab some drop spindles and the narrower caprice a arms.

Going with a 1/2' spacer on each side of the frame will be easy to do as well

Thanks so much to all the knowledgeable folks here.

I'm glad i found this site!

Take care guys

Dave

DaveM · ONTARIO

2003 and newer Crown Victoria's have a bolt in (bolt out) front cross member that will sit the front much lower.

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

Builderrhys wrote:
Hello Dave,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the wheelbase on the 52 would be identical to the 73 to 87 frame. Why not just make a late model frame swap instead of the front stub? All you would have to play with are cab subframe supports I think and the odd box mount or box crossmember. You can then play with ride height to your hearts content with aftermarket stuff. If you want to go with a narrower track width I would stick with the tried and true 70-81 camaro or nova subframe. Lets see if anyone else can comment on frame interchangeability, Rhys.

Track width on the A D trucks are 59.5 front -60 rear 73-87 65 .8 front - 62.7 rear Not a good fit some buicks and latter camaros are much closer .

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Wheelbase,_track_width,_and_differential_measurements

atomsplitter · NEWCASTLE, ONT

No offence but I wouldn't take the advice from the guys on here regarding you IFS swap unless they have done it before on OUR model of truck!
Talk to the guys on the sites I posted that have done this before and do your research.

You'll find alot of guys have done multiple AD's with different set-ups. There's a crap load of diffent IFS configurations that have been used: Pacer, Dakota, Corvette, Mustang II (OEM and Aftermarket...they are different!), Chevy car clips, Suburban/Truck clips, Complete frame swaps like S10 and Dakota or complete aftermarket ($10,000).

The track width is 60", and S10 is too narrow and the track width of the Crown Vics is too wide and you need 2" spacers between the frame and the crossmember to make it fit.
The guys on here probably will not know that the S10 needs cab and bed spacers and there is only 1 rear end from S10 based trucks that fits properly on the original frame. Or the Suburban works but you need 3" offset wheels to fit between the fenders! Dodge truck spare tire rims fit & look like OEM artillary style wheels on the original straight axle. Etc, Etc.

A friend at work has the a similar IFS to yours, it sits like an OEM truck with the 16" rims...way up in the air with a way to wide track width!

-- Edited by Atomsplitter on Tuesday 27th of August 2013 08:31:06 PM

captainq · ST GEORGE, ONT

I have a truck rearend from an early 80s Chev halfton. 50 bucks if you are interested then your bolt pattern will be the same

just dave · NIXON, ONT

Hey steve

i have one from the same truck that i got the front end out of.

Thanks though, its a later on down the road project at the moment

Dave

427CARL · CLINTON, ONT

fatstax wrote:
by the look of what you have going on there, i think that gm crossmemeber is ripe for the notching. find some caprice arms to narrow it 2 inches i think that would be pretty easy and effective

x2

:

Chris Stapley · CAMPBELLFORD, ONT

I would do exactly as Fatstax is suggesting too, why only notch 2" when there is so much meat there to drop that frame rail right in to the crossmember,add the Caprice a Arms and spindles,no need to buy aftermarket spindles and such..

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

Atomsplitter wrote:
No offence but I wouldn't take the advice from the guys on here regarding you IFS swap unless they have done it before on OUR model of truck!
Talk to the guys on the sites I posted that have done this before and do your research.

You'll find alot of guys have done multiple AD's with different set-ups. There's a crap load of diffent IFS configurations that have been used: Pacer, Dakota, Corvette, Mustang II (OEM and Aftermarket...they are different!), Chevy car clips, Suburban/Truck clips, Complete frame swaps like S10 and Dakota or complete aftermarket ($10,000).

The track width is 60", and S10 is too narrow and the track width of the Crown Vics is too wide and you need 2" spacers between the frame and the crossmember to make it fit.
The guys on here probably will not know that the S10 needs cab and bed spacers and there is only 1 rear end from S10 based trucks that fits properly on the original frame. Or the Suburban works but you need 3" offset wheels to fit between the fenders! Dodge truck spare tire rims fit & look like OEM artillary style wheels on the original straight axle. Etc, Etc.
A friend at work has the a similar IFS to yours, it sits like an OEM truck with the 16" rims...way up in the air with a way to wide track width!

-- Edited by Atomsplitter on Tuesday 27th of August 2013 08:31:06 PM

i dont need practice to customize stuff, i can make anything fit any vehicle you can think of. thats why i buy zip cut wheels by the case

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

not as drunk as you thinkle peep I am wrote:
i thought those trucks fit well on a s10 chassis.

ive seen alot of these on s truck chassis, the benefit is you can run ungodly wide wheels and still steer it

just dave · NIXON, ONT

Hey guys

I think i've got her sitting pretty good at the moment.

I went ahead and cut 2' notches to allow the frame to sit into the front end

it hasnt bene boxed yet, as i've had limited time lately.

i'm happy with the stance at the moment.

I'd like to thanks everyone for their advice/ideas on this topic.

I can c notch the frame, drop spindles, springs etc once it gets closer to being road ready to get the actual driving stance i want.

Thanks a million everyone

Dave

just dave · NIXON, ONT

bad cam angle.

was in a rush to get the pics.

lol.

But good eye!

Dave

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

lots of room to move that crossmember forward or back, looks good. notch isnt deep enough though, well for me anyways haha.

parklane · St THOMAS, ONT

fatstax wrote:
. notch isnt deep enough though, well for me anyways haha.

Ya, what he said. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Get a nosebleed ridin that high. biggrin

hemi43 · ONTARIO

Check to make sure you have the proper caster before you weld her in, or it will bite you in the a$$ when it comes time to align the front end. Ask me how I know !!! LOL

apachomatic · PARRY SOUND, ONT

What would you guys recommend for IFS for a 1959 chev apache truck?
Looking to get rid of the I-beam front end and get front discs and power steering without dropping $2000+ on aftermarket IFS.

Many thanks

Patrick

wolfman1 · ST GEORGE, ONT

A friend of mine used the Fatman Fabrications IFS kit on his 54 Dodge truck.
Works amazingly well and he didn't have to hack his his frame up
The kit comes with everthing you need ,crossmember, control arms, rack, spindles ,springs, ball joints, brake rotors calipers etc and is engineered properly
Cost is about $2000 but you have to consider you have a completely new everything

entourageguy · BARRIE, ONT

mine came from Hortons

Apache pics 009.JPG

Ziggy · TRENTON, ONT

Now that is a SWEEEETTT looking ride Brian!!!