OK so im seeing all the trucks with camaro front ends. What about drop I beam axles. Anyone running these ? Would like to see what the stance of trucks are with a drop axle,so......... pics please......
Best guess, they would be dropped the same amount as the axle. 2", 3", 4", etc., and look damn good while doing it too.
Just a quick opinion - I have just finished a dropped axle under the front of my truck, ('42ford ). Nt the same I know , but similar. By the time I paid for the dropped axle, rebuilt and dearched the springs,put in new king pins, new shackles, reshaped the arms, built a new drag link, and did a disc brake kit, i've got so much time and money wrapped up that I could have done something better. I know this is a traditional board, but if I had your truck in my shop, I would be on the phone to el pollacko at Industrial ch***is in Phoenix about one of his Dakota kits. They fit, ride well, HANDLE WELL, and are very easy to install- very easy ! My point is that you can't really just swap in a dropped axle without adressing all the stuff around it that needs doing. besides, having something that stops and handles well is a bigplus to actually driving what you have built. No insult or adverti*****t intended, i've just done this many ways and have found this to be the best out there.
.and then it still doesn't ride nearlly as well as a Camero, Dekota, or a Mustang II. Whos even going to care that you stayed "Traditional"?
before and after- 3" dropped axle and removed 2 leaves from front springs- maybe 5 inches total drop. rear springs moved under axle
i know the pros and cons of the two type of front ends. i just wanted to see the look of the drop axle. .....so thank you heatmiser
madmak, I'm in the process of finishing my 3" drop axle build and swapping it in, but no pics yet..sorry. I was hoping to see others post pics as well but as pasadena said above, the final stance is going to be the same look as an IFS. Looks aside, I feel that personally anyone with a heavy checkbook can swap in an IFS (and more power to you) but I don't want to spend the money AND I don't want to cut up the truck. To me, as close to stock as possible just adds a coolness factor to the vehicle. No disrespect to you IFS guys because I MAY do an IFS on my '58 Chevy pick-up which WILL be more finished and more of a cruiser than a rod, and FAR less stock in appearance and equipment. As far as the cost being the same as an IFS...absolutely not. I have a stock 3" drop axle with later model 5 lug discs installed (5 lug 12 bolt rear to match), removed 1 leaf from the spring and bought a drop shackle kit for $100 or so, new kingpin kit was $59, and newer style tie rod ends ran me $81 for both. I'll be buying the heavier 1" tie rod and MAY need new tapered bearings...not sure yet. I have around 6 hours total in labor so far and swapping it out, heating and rebending the steering arm and getting it rolling will maybe take another 6 to 8 hrs. In the end I MAY have $500 into new parts and 15 hrs spent. That is a FAR cry form $1,800 for a basic IFS kit. IF I had to buy the axle NEW and had the springs dearched I would STILL only be around $1000. HEY, I just realized I saved at least $1,300...time to go shopping for parts and supplies...
I'm sure there is nothing wrong with a dropped axle on parallel leafs. I believe anyone who insists on them has probably never driven or ridden in a well set up IFS installation. Most of the clips that I see are crudely executed, usually done on trucks that never get completed. My 55 pickup has a 67 camaro subframe, which rides and handles excellent. Anyone who rides in it can't believe something so low rides so nice. With the power disc brakes, power steering and a fat sway bar, it really carves up the corners at high speeds. I've had my truck for over 20 years. It was my first vehicle and its not tradditional, and will probably never be. My hood is always closed and it sits too low to see the drivetrain from underneath. If solid axles were really that good, they would still be putting them in new trucks. Dave
I don't question the superiority of IFS over I-beam axles and I don't think any reasonable person would. The question above was: "and then it still doesn't ride nearlly as well as a Camero, Dekota, or a Mustang II. Whos even going to care that you stayed "Traditional"?" posted a few down from the top post and is what I based my response on. I DO think that there are plenty who appreciate stock parts on an cl***ic car. I also think that IFS is WAY nicer to drive and handles better, but it's just not my cup of tea on THIS truck...this one is staying as close to stock as possible. I also think that IFS guys could at least be a little more appreciative of the effort it takes to keep something stock while still making it look cool and ride better than original....
so according to your reasoning we shouldn't run bias ply tires, a carbed engine w/ a 3 spd., etc. Believe it or not, some of us aren't buying a 50 year old truck to "carve up the corners at high speeds" i got an old truck 'cause i like driving an old truck- novel idea isn't it. if i want to drive a truck that drives like a newer truck, well, i drive my newer truck.
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