best suspension for the buck

[clemdaddy]

I am building a 48 half ton as a street rod, V-8, 700R the usual stuff and I would like to know your opinion on which IFS and 4-link makes the best conversion out there for the money.
Share your experiences... good or bad.
Name drop your favorite company and why.

Thanks for your time

Clem

[whitedog76]

I just recently bought an IFS crossmember from CPP. It came with boxing plates, upper hats, and lower crossmember. I measured with a caliper, it's 3/16 steel. So, it's fairly stout. My only complaint is that it's the narrower crossmember with the pivot points 22 1/4" apart. For $210, I don't think you can argue about that.

I picked up some control arms from Jegs. They claim to be 9 gauge steel. Again quality looks good. Only complaint, it needs a better lower ball joint. It was a Christmas time deal so, they were right around $300 all together with free shipping.

I haven't gotten to install anything yet, but money wise, I think I'm doing pretty good. I know there is a tone more to get, but it's a start.

There are some complete kits out there thay may be just as economical as piecing it out. Plus you're not chasing parts from all over.

As far as rear, can't help you. Plans are for leaves.

[Erics51chevy]

Keeping my truck a truck. Seeing how the stock type suspension is for the front. Leaves in the back with traction bars. Depends what you want to do with your truck.

[clemdaddy]

I'm a complete novice at this conversion and I agree with keeping it a truck but I'm tired of the ride. This is my truck, originally rebuilt in the late 70s and driven her daily for 15 years. Seriously ready for a change without breaking the bank.

[whitedog76]

Try Gayle Bridges in Hot Springs he sells JW Rod Garage stuff.

http://gaylebridgesco.com/

When I was looking into front ends, I came across Full Tilt Street Rods. They look to be top notch. They make their stuff in house. They claim to have some of the strongest control arms out there.

http://www.fulltiltstreetrods.com/

Street Rod Engineering makes top notch stuff too. They kind of have their own spin on the MII frontend. Again, they build their stuff in house.

https://www.streetrodengineering.com/products

Of course there's always Heidt's and TCI.

I don't think you'll go wrong with any one of them. Price will probably vary 100-200 bucks.

[ptc]

There are many out there - you just have to shop around and see all the details that YOU want and like to have on YOUR truck.... Keeping it stock is really not an option and does not make it NOT a truck.... The old front ends with their kingpin straight axles are just not up to par with the roadways we have nowadays...

On the low price end check out Speedway... they just did a great restoration project with all their own components; frames start at $4,000 for all the basic needs to get a truck chassis going the right direction.

Or try Fat Man Fab if you got a few more bucks and want to go an extra amount...

Or try Art Morrison if you want tried and true fabrication of the best products out there. Also their tech department is second to NONE and always willing to help out with whatever questions you have.

There are many more good ones out there - just dont have time to list them all....

Good Luck on your build.

[whitedog76]

Your truck has such a cool look the worn and weathered patina on top of the whitewalls.

Not to mention the old school OFFY valve and side covers on the 216.

[Fiftee3]

I was going to comment on the patina also. Looks cool! If I lived closer, Id take that motor off your hands! But Whitedog, looks like a 235 or 261.
Your gonna love driving that with updated suspension! Love mine now!

[GMC-YA68]

I’ve heard good things about Speedway and Fatman both. Haven’t decided what I am going to do yet.

[whitedog76]

Originally Posted by Fiftee3

I was going to comment on the patina also. Looks cool! If I lived closer, Id take that motor off your hands! But Whitedog, looks like a 235 or 261.
Your gonna love driving that with updated suspension! Love mine now!

The center bolt valve cover through me off. After I sent the post, I saw the oil filter. I was hoping noone noticed. LOL

[54 LS-3100]

I would stay away from the CPP crossmember. I had nothing but problems with mine and returned it. The crossmember was warped and twisted. There was not a way to find the true center. The weld were also terrible.

I went with a Speedway unit and it is much better and installed without any problems.