Strength of aftermarket IFS kits?(a little long question) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JayG · 11-18-2007, 10:59 PM

Mods - I wasn't sure to put this here or under the '47-present place. My wife has been after me lately to get started on the '54 Suburban.(Yes, boys and girls, I have the ideal mate!) This is a really clean truck. I also have available, but haven't paid for it yet, a Heidts Superglide IFS kit, made for this vehicle,with optional bigger brakes. I realize that Heidts, Fatman, Scotts, Meyer and many others have made tens of thousands of these kits. This kit looks wonderful and I know it will fit "just right" with very little difficulty.However, when I look at those tubular upper and lower A arms, they just look flimsy. I know at least a dozen guys who have these and have had NO trouble. I just start thinking about this 5,000lb Burb that I will be driving all over the US and they just don't look substantial enough. Maybe it derives from my "dirt track days",where there was always alot of reinforcing going on. Are these strong enough for a big pothole, in the middle of BFE, so that I won't have to call a wrecker? I'm sure I've answered my own question, but I'd still appreciate any input. Shortly, I'll post a thread in the '47 -up area with my overall plans for: dissection,discussion and decision making. Thanks. Jay

Inverter · 11-19-2007, 02:46 PM

I was looking at a fatman ifs the other day,on an 85 1/2 ton , and was thinking the same thing. I mean,,,the lower arms tubes are so tiny . no problem for a 32 coupe,,,but a 4K lb truck ?
Excellent question !!

XXL · 11-19-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADHDCARGUY

I know at least a dozen guys who have these and have had NO trouble.

IMO, you've answered your own question. Do you know of any who HAVE had problems with theirs? If not, go for it. If you're still not comfortable with how "flimsy" the stuff looks, do a truck-type front clip swap instead.

Tx Firefighter · 11-19-2007, 09:53 PM

I've always used Fatman stuff. The arms are in no way flimsy. They use the screw in Chrysler ball joints too, which are way more substantial than MII ones ever were.

qksilver · 11-19-2007, 09:59 PM

Nice burb

JayG · 11-19-2007, 11:56 PM

Thanks qksilver! We're pretty excited about getting the build started.

11-18-2007, 10:59 PM	#1
JayG Formerly ADHDCARGUY Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: DUNCANVILLE, TX Posts: 1,213	Strength of aftermarket IFS kits?(a little long question) Mods - I wasn't sure to put this here or under the '47-present place. My wife has been after me lately to get started on the '54 Suburban.(Yes, boys and girls, I have the ideal mate!) This is a really clean truck. I also have available, but haven't paid for it yet, a Heidts Superglide IFS kit, made for this vehicle,with optional bigger brakes. I realize that Heidts, Fatman, Scotts, Meyer and many others have made tens of thousands of these kits. This kit looks wonderful and I know it will fit "just right" with very little difficulty.However, when I look at those tubular upper and lower A arms, they just look flimsy. I know at least a dozen guys who have these and have had NO trouble. I just start thinking about this 5,000lb Burb that I will be driving all over the US and they just don't look substantial enough. Maybe it derives from my "dirt track days",where there was always alot of reinforcing going on. Are these strong enough for a big pothole, in the middle of BFE, so that I won't have to call a wrecker? I'm sure I've answered my own question, but I'd still appreciate any input. Shortly, I'll post a thread in the '47 -up area with my overall plans for: dissection,discussion and decision making. Thanks. Jay Attached Images __________________ Jay 67CHEVY SWB,355, built 700r, 5/7,9",posi 3.50,REAR BAGS,HOOSIERS, A/C. 54CHEVY - BURB, beginning construction(well, i gotta take it apart first!) 36FORD PU - WAITING 38CHEVY - 2DR SD,CHASSIS FINISHED 46CHEVY - BURB - waiting

11-19-2007, 02:46 PM	#2
Inverter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: East Texas Posts: 429	Re: Strength of aftermarket IFS kits?(a little long question) I was looking at a fatman ifs the other day,on an 85 1/2 ton , and was thinking the same thing. I mean,,,the lower arms tubes are so tiny . no problem for a 32 coupe,,,but a 4K lb truck ? Excellent question !!

11-19-2007, 09:53 PM	#4
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Strength of aftermarket IFS kits?(a little long question) I've always used Fatman stuff. The arms are in no way flimsy. They use the screw in Chrysler ball joints too, which are way more substantial than MII ones ever were. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-19-2007, 09:59 PM	#5
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: Strength of aftermarket IFS kits?(a little long question) Nice burb

11-19-2007, 11:56 PM	#6
JayG Formerly ADHDCARGUY Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: DUNCANVILLE, TX Posts: 1,213	Re: Strength of aftermarket IFS kits?(a little long question) Thanks qksilver! We're pretty excited about getting the build started. __________________ Jay 67CHEVY SWB,355, built 700r, 5/7,9",posi 3.50,REAR BAGS,HOOSIERS, A/C. 54CHEVY - BURB, beginning construction(well, i gotta take it apart first!) 36FORD PU - WAITING 38CHEVY - 2DR SD,CHASSIS FINISHED 46CHEVY - BURB - waiting

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