I guess I need to toss in my two cents...
Since you are sticking with the six and using a '55 rear I assume you plan
to stay with six lug wheels, and don't plan to drive fast.
With my Suburban I put disk brakes on the straight axle, installed a dual
master cylinder, upgraded the rear brakes (finned '11 inch off a station
wagon) and it stops a lot better.
Of course it still requires some real muscle to park it sometimes, and while
it goes down the road reasonably straight, you wouldn't cruise at 70 on the
freeway and feel good about it for very long.
And corners at speed are a little scarey too. I think its because of the
narrow width of the frame in the front, meaning the springs are close to
each other, and the front of the truck can pivot quite a bit as a result.
Oh, and don't forget that it rides like a truck.
Some of the issues I have with my current setup could be improved with new
kingpins and bushings and maybe a sway bar, but I've decided the right
answer for me is an independent front suspension. Getting that job done may
lag behind the decision by a few years...
Your mileage may vary, but I'd suggest thinking real hard about how you want
to use it before you get very far into this kind of decision.
Steve@OldSub.com
1954 Chevrolet 3100
1955 1st GMC Suburban
1972 Chevrolet C-10
www.OldSub.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "William Schickling" <wschick1@twcny.rr.com>
To: "Oletrucks" <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 12:49 PM
Subject: [oletrucks] IFS vs. Stock.
> I know everyone talks about adding an IFS as a great way to move up to
power
> steering, disc brakes, lower stance and a better ride. All great things
and
> probably a must if your also adding gobs of power and top speed with a V8.
>
> What about someone like me who just wants to move up to a well built 235
> with better carbs and exhaust. I already have a 1955 1st series rear end
for
> the switch to open drive. It has a 3.90 rear end and I will have a T5
tranny
> behind the 235.
>
> What can a guy do if he is sticking with a straight axle. Are there
dropped
> spindles to get the ride down. What year axle do I need? I see disc brake
> kits for some of the Chevy straight axles.
>
> I was actually thinking of sticking with my drum brakes and having them
> drilled. There is propaganda out there that drilling drum brakes is pretty
> effective for improving the braking.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Bill Schickling
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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