IFS for 31 Chevy car?

I have a friend who has a nice 31 Chevy 2 door sedan, 350/350 . He's considering changing over to independent front suspension. Does anyone know of a setup for this that doesn't cost $4000? That is going to be prohibitive.

thx,

.bjb

 

Does he want the front end lower than it currently is? If so I think he could get rid of the parallel leafs and axle in front and adapt an aftermarket dropped axle and radius rods for less money.

 

He currently has the parallel leaves and a Speedway dropped axle, I've forgotten if it is 2" or 4". I don't know what his goal is. I just think the ride isn't what he would like.

 

mu 2

 

Buddy of mine had a '31 Chev 4door with a Corvair ifs. Was built in the 70's? Rode great, he drove that thing all over.

 

I haven't found a vendor that lists 31 Chevy.

 

What is his skill level?

Having the ability to design / fabricate / and install an IFS will go a along ways in reducing the cost. If he can't do those things, then you have to pay someone, and that is much more difficult on a tight budget.

I would look for a "generic" MII crossmember (A welder's series kit) and make the necessary frame changes to make it work, but like I said above, you have to be able to engineer and fabricate your way through the problems that will inevitably arise.

I have done such things on both a '51 Ford F-1 and a '32 Plymouth. Kits were not available for either of those chassis at the time. However, If it is strictly a ride and handling problem, I would strongly suggest moving away from the IFS idea if the budget is the primary concern. Tweaks to spring rate, shock dampening curves, and bushings can go a very long ways to improve the ride for much less cash then a complete front suspension swap.

 

I have seen MII fronts on those before. It usually requires modifying the front fenders. The A-arms are above the frame rails and the way the fenders are shaped you need to pocket the fenders

 

He should seriously consider buying a 50's car. They really have a far superior ride compared to the glorified stage coaches that the early cars are. But I know the heart wants what the heart wants. As oldolds stated, I've too seen some horribly modified front fenders on this era car to fit in IFS. Its a snowball job too, modified steering shaft components, starting over with brakes, hoses and lines, possibly new wheels, engine mounts, radiator mount, exhaust also. I did it on a 47 and the stuff I needed to change to make it fit was never ending. How about new leafs with teflon sliders or a Ford crossmember and new transverse spring/wishbone set up?

 

This car rides pretty good and I have sliders in front and back springs. I also removed a couple leaves in both springs.