Help choosing IFS/IRS install kit for 54

[jevonniespapi]

Have been learning a lot from this site for some time now, and just got the funds to finally get my 1954 Chevy Truck project under way. Im starting with the chassis, and wanting to build a roller. Its stripped to the frame, with 85' vette front and rear suspension waiting to be grafted in.

My question is: which "kit" to get to install the suspension pieces.
I've taken a liking to what Progressive Automotive has to offer, but am also considering Flat Out Engineering who sells the coil overs that must be dialed in.

Ill be running a LY6 6.0 with 4L80, fully boxing/reinforcing the frame.


Please give your advice!

[solidaxel]

That 4L80E is a LRGE trahsmission for the center of a 54, just say'en !!

[duwem]

I have not done mine yet but I'm collecting parts to do a C4 vette front and rear suspension.

Here is the thread on my frame:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456481

Flat out had a rear kit, progressive says you need to build a whole new rear frame section.

Progressive's front is slightly narrower but requires you to run a different rack. Might give you a little more room for the wheels to turn in corners, but its not that much narrower than the flat out front kit.

[blu52]

I have both of flat out's kits installed and found the front kit went in very smooth but the rear didn't go in as smooth, found don's customer service to be slow. Again would not hesitate to buy the front again but not the rear. My perspective may be a little skewed, I just expected a little better service after spending almost 3,000 in parts
Rafael

[duwem]

What kind of problems did you run into?

I have talked to Don a number of times on the phone and email and he seems like a great guy, but is a little hard to get ahold of.

[blu52]

the rear bracket that holds the aluminum structure of the rear end was welded wrong and not centered in the frame, as well as not being wide enough for the frame. we concluded that this was partially because i had moved the rear end back about an inch and a half so the rear would be centered in the wheel wells. This is a common situation on these trucks as the instructions tell you. When I called don I wanted to just order and pay for another one so I could continue on the build, he wanted me to send it back have him look at it decide what to do and either send my old one back or maybe send a new one. I explained that all that mailing would set me back at least a week if not closer to two, which i felt was unacceptable. I wanted him to get his drawing out off of which his piece was based off of so we could check some measurements, he would have none of it. I told him that I would run into town (20miles) send him the piece next day air and would expect his other one back the same was as to not hold up progress. His response was that there was no need to send it next day as there was no rush. I told him that that was where he was wrong he had my money and the rush i was worried about wasn't his it was mine, I was the customer and needed my part as I had the truck in someones shop and couldn't hold up some one else as well. All this was around 2 pm local time and after talking for about 30 minutes he said he needed to do some other things but would get back to me. He called me back around 6 pm local time 5 pm his time and said he had found a longer cross member and he would send it out if i wanted it. I said sure, he explained that the differences were due to manufacturing tolerances. Ok cool send the piece. It didn't show up the next day or the next day, it showed up the 3rd day at around 6 pm local time. needles to say i was not happy. also one of the brackets that hold the coilover was hitting one of the half shafts. easy enough fix just annoying. Again the front went in smooth enough. If you do get a kit pm me and i will give you some pointers that should make the install easier.
later
Rafael

[jevonniespapi]

Wow, I know that there are obsticals to overcome, but customer service is not one that I want to deal with. Its a shame that flat out will be the easier product, but not if I run into a problem.

Any other thoughts, please chime in. Its not often I get money for a project, this is one step I want to hear from more people on before shelling out the $$$$.

[duwem]

I wouldnt let that one bad experience turn you away. If your like me, this will be a week-month-multiple month project.

I think Don is a one man show there, or at least it appears that way. Given a reasonable schedual I'm sure he would be willing to correct the situation.

[jevonniespapi]

How do the above kits affect ride height?

[jevonniespapi]

Nothing on ride height?
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[NICK51]

I am working on a 51 half ton. I ordered and installed both the front and rear suspension kits from Flat Out Engineering. I also boxed both sides of my frame rails. I am putting in a modified SBC 350 and a Turbo 350. I have some pics if you would like to see. I also have several questions for Don and he responded nicely, even sent him pics and he reviewed them, etc.

[duwem]

Yes, please post pictures!

Thanks

[jevonniespapi]

Pics please.

[Houston54]

If you have the tools and the desire you can make your own rear brackets. I did this for my in progress 58 using a 89 C4 rear.

[jevonniespapi]

Houston54, thanks for the pic! I followed your picturetrail.com and WOW, great work. I may be calling you when I start cutting metal (hopefully in a few weeks).

I havnt seen too many people install an IRS without a "kit", its refreshing to see someone do it.

[NICK51]

I just setup photobucket you can take a look here of what I started with and how I did it. The kit is from flat out engineering.

http://photobucket.com/NICK51

[tmoble]

I just installed an 85 rear in my 57. love the ride and Posi. Don't love the camber problems. seems like the adjuster just doesn't want to hold. Last time I tightened it up with a Snap-On 1/2" drive impact with 120lbs line pressure.

Anybody know if there's some kind of generic problems with these things? Looks pretty simple, eccentric bolt like some cars have on the front end.

[Deabt54]

Hi Gents, I thought I'd share what I've been doing. Just finished welding up the rear. I put the big-o-notch in order to get the frame as low as I wanted. It seems that the 54 frame rails in the rear are almost flat,so without the notch the frame would be alot higher. As it sits the top of the rail at the rear measures about 15 inch to the ground. Hopes this helps, check out my build thred as I will be posting more pics in the coming weeks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=419646

[jevonniespapi]

Deabt54, GREAT PICS!

Im following your build by the way, thanks for the inspiration!