So I'm finally gonna really start diggin into my 53 Chevy Business Coupe! Lookin for some input on the front end? I know Must II is my best bet but wanted to find out other options too. I want to bag it for sure. Has anybody bagged a stock 49-54 Chevy IFS? Can it be done? How about a mid 80's Jag front end? I was told they are a good fit and easy to install airbags? Any input would be appreciated. Car has a SBC if it makes a difference.
Did you do a search, LOTS of posts on this subject. Your suspension just bolts in and there are some replacements made that bolt in too. I have a Jim Meyers racing in mine, but it's pricey (I got a deal). I think I just saw a thread in the last couple days about bags on the stock setup. Here it is http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=152076&highlight=bag+54+chevy
Thanks guys. Thats a good start. Looks like by the time I use the stock setup and do bags, spindles, brakes, and steering, I'm real close to a Must II setup.
Not to mention the cost of rebuilding. I wanted to keep the stock setup, but I gave up when I heard the price of wheel bearings, dropped uprights and arms, etc.
www.chevytalk.com has tons of info on your car plus online manuals. there was somebody here in texas that put a jag front end in a 51' chevy, heard it works pretty smooth.
Didn't say it was "better". I was makin a comment on the cost involved and lookin for some input. With the work and cost involved seems like it might be more time and cost effective to go with a new hub to hub kit considering i want to airbag it. This is my first rod build and I'm trin to get as much info as i can before makin decisions and forkin out cash...
Thanks I'll check it out. I heard the Jag setup was a pretty easy swap and good fit. Anyone ever bagged a Jag frontend?
if you are looking for a straight bolt in application look at Chasis Engineering. http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com/page28.html I put it i my 53 business coupe and would do it again. All you need is a drill wrenchs and jacks and it can be done in a weekend. Rides like a dream. Much better responce then factory
If your going to be a bear.....be a grizzly bear. My point being....I know its a easy swap to a mustang II or even a jag but even though its more in my opinion (and opinions are like assholes....etc) but the reason Fatman and sorts make the parts to keep the stock front end is because its period correct and thats what makes these cars so kool. I thought about all the angles too when I did my 54 front end but if the design wasnt broke....why fix it? I get why your considering it but even through your spending a few dollars more for the fatman dropped uprights and steering arms I think youll find your plenty happy with it. its money well worth it to keep it original (in my opinion). Either way....best wishes to you but I would rather push my car than put a british Jag front end in my american chevy. Its an american car bro....keep it american. I hope you at least consider it and Im not trying to push your buttons or "rub your rhubarb" but I hope you seriously at least consider it.
LOL, I just don't get it. It's nothing with you. There are posts on here all the time with people wanting to take out perfectly fine suspensions in place of one out of a Mustang. I simply don't get it. Why replace a perfectly fine item for something that was used in a Pinto?
you stand to be correct my fine man. Its not out of a pinto nor a mustang. It is designed based on those cars suspensions and only because the design is so simple. Why upgrade a perfectly fine suspension. Well look at all the newer cars and trucks, if the suspension in these old cars was so perfect why isn't it still being used today? You can't compare rack and pinion to the "old style" worm gear. Theres s reason why when my Dad drove "the old clucker" he had almost 1/2 turn play in the wheel. Besides, if the rack and pinion isn't someone elses cup of tea, it is easily removed and the old steering can be put back in.
Thanks for ALL the imput. As this is all new to me I definitely respect everyones opinions and advice and it is appreciated. Everyone has some really good points for me to consider. And take my word....I will take them all into consideration! I actually contacted FATMAN right off the bat a couple months ago when I first picked up the car. I like what they offer and I've seen a couple 49-54's with the dropped uprights and they look real good. So yes it is still an option in my book. One thing I guess pushin me away from keepin the stock susp in as of now I'm stuck on baggin it. I read through a thread from another member who recently did the mods to bag the stock A-arms and to tell you the honest truth the work is well beyond my fabricating skills as of now. Thanks again for all the info!
I hear ya. Its hard to be in a spot were your reaching.....been there, done that. I do now that Alex Gambino will answer his phone rain, snow or shine AM or PM anytime and is very helpful in a bind. Dirtbag54 did a lowering job in his 54 and ran fatman and bagged it, 4 link the whole bit and I can tell ya......changing out the drive train, 4 link and all the drop suspension work and steering work is really alot of work for anyone. You dont have anybody you can have lend a hand close to ya? My drivetrain would do 75 @ 2200RPM, which is why I decided to not change out the torque tube setup and stay stock. So I didnt have to worry about having the overdrive. Once you bag it, you have to change out your tranny (s10 5 speed seems to be the best option...I believe its out of a 4x4, early 90's) and your driveshaft, cut out your trunk and put in a shallower gas tank (mustang) I do believe and 4 link from fatman....so looking at the front end is only the beginning. I love the way bags look but dont like the pain and hassle of dealing with the maintenance. So once you really get to looking at it, its actually cleaner and easier and cheaper to keep your stock setup, run a hard drop and buy the fatman and jamco stuff and run it. But it depends on your drivetrain and if you need that 5th gear. Not an expert by any means but thought i would share what ive found up until now. I am a huge fan of simplicity is better and clearer....maybe not kooler but still helps me sleep easy. Either way, good luck with it and if i can help at all let me know.
Your entire car is outdated. That's sort of the point isn't it? Newer suspensions make the Mustang/Pinto based suspensions obsolete also. I don't really care why or what other people do to their cars. The cars are theirs. I guess I just finally decided to ask. Why? I agree but you can upgrade even further and you can upgrade everything. The engine out of my wife's new Dodge is virtually maintenence free.
Understandable. As noted, to bag one of these you are into far more work than just swapping front suspensions. There are likely a 100 threads and pics here to show you all that needs to be done. It's been done so many times that you won't have any problem finding help which ever way you go.
OK I found multiple threads to go through and read up on everything.......But, I'm not understanding swapping out the drive train to bag it. Everything else is understandable. My car has a 350/700r4. It had hydraulics in the rear which I already took out. But this car sat LOW in the rear when I got it. Tryin not to beat a dead horse cause I found threads on this topic, but couldnt find anything explaining a drive train swap. Thanks
You are already miles ahead then on getting to where you want to be. Your car originally came with the 235 straight 6 and an enclosed driveshaft. The tranny, driveshaft and rear in one of these cars has to be swapped to get the car real low. Yours has already been done. Not trying to state what may be the obvious but I'm going to ask anyways........ Are you sure yours has the original suspension? Most who do a V-8 swap do it by clipping the front end.
MY buddy has a complete dropped spindle FE out of a '50 Chevy that was rebuilt FE as well - if 53 is the same, call him at 757-903-7208 - his name is Bert and tell him Tom told you to call. Good luck ....
Yes positive it is stock FE. I figured the "swap" meant from the straight 6 setup but just wanted to confirm. The motor/tranny/rear swap was just done before i picked it up. Never ran it, just mocked it all up. Thanks. I found more threads on this so I can stop buggin yall now>
""Most who do a V-8 swap do it by clipping the front end."" that makes no sense whatsoever. V8 swaps have nothing to do with the suspension or clips.
I had a 54 Chevy. Not once did the brakes fail to stop me (stock drums) and I never had to leave any place because I couldn't park it. Maybe a new Camry would be a better option for some.
another dumb ass comment. who cares if you had a 54 chevy that never had a brake failure? if you are not sharp enough to know a MII is a far superior front suspension for these old cars there is no way anyone could explain it to you.
There are many newer things that are superior to the old stuff. That's counter to what this site is about though. I have friends that insist on bucket seats, 4wheel disc brakes, modern A/C, digital gauges. All stuff that can be considered superior to what was. I still don't understand. I enjoy that stuff in the wife's car but if it's what I wanted, I'd also buy a new car. For what the OP wanted, the factory suspension will work fine. Not that a more modern suspension wouldn't work slicker but IMO the charm is that it's not newer and works just fine.
jags are a dime a dozen and very easy plus the junk yards full of them,. ive seen them bagged and used every where on every thing going to pull one today for my 59 apache. i woluld pull one and if you decide not to use it post it in the classified section some one will take it, hell get the rear too. 12cyl ones are posi and running bags not a problum
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