okay we get this 47 chevy in a few weeks , now we wonder if we should go with the stock front ifs and rebuild it or if it would a big bennefit compared to the expensiv price if we swap the whole frontend to a mustang 2 frontend. What do you guys think how much better will a mustang 2 frontend handle compared to a rebuild stock front end ?
Have a 47 Chevy too, was told I could put a power steering box in ( have to modify a bit) but it does work, have a 3.1 Camaro V6 in my 47. My front end was rebuilt, not to many options for this car.
I went the IFS route on an 47 IHC pickup. Then again, it had these twoo springs that could launch the space shuttle up front.
This is a sore subject to bring up on the HAMB. There's a lot of true traditionalists who think you ruin a car with a modern suspension swap, and then there's the guys who can't afford it, so they bash it. Me, I'm a realist. I'm into Kustoms, NOT rods, so I can accept either way as being OK. What I advise guys I build cars for is: IF you are just a weekend warrior, or go to local shows and perhaps a show more than 100 miles away occ***ionally, keep it stock. If you want to drive it hard, or drive it long distances, on modern highways, go for the swap. On Kustoms, none of the suspension shows, a lot of guys don't even open the hood, so suspension and driveline are completely optional. Use what you have, can afford, and what suites your driving style. And besides....the older you get, the more comfortable you want the car to be! I could ride a rigid bike way back when, but I wouldn't trade it for my Softail right now! Same with my cars.
Price of rebuilding versus price of MII. What do you get for the extra cost? Better ride, quicker steering, power steering option, able to lower without cutting springs. As chopolds says, decision depends on your driving intentions and also what drive line you are going with, i.e. are you keeping inline or going to V-8 power. What stance do you want? I bought a bolt in cross member from RB's, now located in Ariz. No guessing, all geometry is correct, no welding. Unbolted the stock front, bolted the new cross member in, bolted the MII set-up (guy traded me a MII for my stock set up) and had it back on the road in one afternoon. Have had it on the road for 12 years, 35,000 miles and no trouble.
Well said... I'm down with MII's, clips, rebuilding the stock stuff, whatever. Anyone that negates one of them really isn't planning on doing it right. I threw that link out just to show what can be done with the stock stuff.
Back 7 or 8 years ago I redid my '48 Fleetline with rebuilt stock suspension, later 235,etc. After just 20,000 miles I had front end problems and have been fighting with it ever since. This must be about the worst front suspension Chevy ever built. Right now it's down and will be getting a late style front end, either Ch***is Engineering or Meyer Raceing. These frames really don't like to be welded by the way. And I'm a welder by trade 35 years experience with 8 different certs.
I rebuilt the original suspension and steering on my 48 daily driver with NOS parts. I sometimes go on freeways around 65-70 mph for hours and am more than happy. I used to do that with my straight axle on my 52 truck for 13 years and was happy then. I like how they made them including the drum brakes and enjoy double-clutching my 3 speed every day. If you want a modern ride with an old looking car, swap as many parts as you please.
thanks for all the answers so i am still not shure what to do ,but i like to start the build up in august ,so there is some time left
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