Suspension Question

[taltomare]

Still planning my build and should be started on the frame fabrication soon. Does anyone have an opinion about going with IFS or a dropped straight front axle? Which is more comfortable or is there a big difference in the two.

A little about my project. It will be between 1936 - 1940 truck. Homemade frame, Z'd (front and rear), channled and chopped. Four link, triangulated rear suspension with a ford 8" rear. Mild small block and a 700r4 trans. Ride height will bet around 3".

I ask because I'm building this project good enough to take long road trips and need a little comfort if you know what I mean.

Any advise about the two different suspensions would be great. Thanks!

-Troy

[donsrods]

There is no question that by design an IFS usually rides better, but I still don't like them on the front of a fenderless car. Something just not right about them up there.

That being said, a properly set up straight axle front end can be made to ride very well, especially with modern parts we now have available to us. Things like poly bushings for the shackles, teflon spring liner, or even Posies springs that slide easily, all help a lot.

I run about as traditional of a front end as you can find, right down to the bias ply tires on every car I build, and have driven so long distances in relative comfort. Regardless of what anyone says about how their rod "rides like a Cadillac," that isn't true. After all, they are hot rods built from 60. 70 or more year old components, and they aren't supposed to do that.

The key is in the setup and matching the front end to the weight of the car, and using good shocks.


Don


PS: Also you may want to reconsider that 3 inch ride height. I know it looks *****in', but in the real world it gets tiresome real fast. My T will be at 4 or 5, and I am a lttle worried about that. My Son drove lowrider S10's for years, and had to take every little bump like it was the Grand Canyon.

[taltomare]

Thanks Don. Yeah I want to stay as close to traditional looking as I can and I think I'm sold on the solid front axle. Speedwaymotors has a setup with four links that I think I'm going with at this point. I'll take your suggestions and make good with the poly bushing on the springs as well as the liners. I'm like you...I just can't bring myself to putting an IFS on it.

I'm sure I'll be picking your brain more as I start my frame fab. Thanks again Don.

I think my IOU beer count for you is up to a case by now! :D

-Troy

[Bonehead]

What Don said!

I think I ground off an extra inch from the bottom of my cab, with every bump... the roads around here are not smooth, and it is multiplied when you go low.

[faster4master]

Don knows best. nothing beets the look of a streight axle

[taltomare]

I'm going to raise my ride height to 4.5". That might change once I start the mock up.

Ok next question: Hairpins or 4-Bar for the front suspension? Will that dictate what I use for the rear suspension? I like the look of hairpins on the front and back but I've already got components for the triangulated 4-link rear suspension. Once again thanks for all of your suggestions.

-Troy

[fastfreddie]

What Don Said. I vote for hair pins in front cause you see em , back will be hidden i guess. Dont want to be a broken record but know your scrub line .Spend lots of time sitting and looking at your creation after all its all about looks. AND if you discover something that doesnt look right to YOU redo it. just like meas 3 times cut once , look 3 times and then build. I use lots of wood and cardboard =much easier to make and redo. If you have a good friend whose opinon you value have him check out your "look".

[LordMaximo]

Still planning my build and should be started on the frame fabrication soon. Does anyone have an opinion about going with IFS or a dropped straight front axle? Which is more comfortable or is there a big difference in the two.

...........
-Troy



Great stuff....but if you really want to be different from all the others? Here is sweet old trick that not many have ever been seen......use the I-Beam axle and cut it in half for a true old skool IFS setup. You measure out the distance for you center coluum and the actual neede space for the end pivots on your cut axle. Make a block to attach your pivots too and it will be dropped down from center of the spring hanger. Then you will still use the mono spring and everything else required for the beam axle to hang and work.

But you will have no more bump steer and it will ride much smoother.


Maximo

[Bonehead]

seems like I saw ( rod magazine of some type) an after market version of what Lordmaximo is talking about, I looked at it and said Hey, I could cut an I beam axle..........

looks high tech and old school at the same time.

[Phat]

Dont do it.(cut the axle) Lots of bumpsteer and camber gain. Nothing but the worst suspension ever built. The Ford twin I beam. Fat stuff tried it and we have removed 2 of them. If its fenderless straight axles can be made to go down the road fine. That peterbuilt that went by you the other day at 80 mph + has one. I would rethink poly bushings as they are a bit harsh in the ride department rubber is much better on light weight non performance cars/trucks. 4 bar you will be able to adjust caster much easer. Caster is real important on and axle car/truck i use allmost 6 degrees and they drive just fine. a bit tuffer to park but worth the trade off. Just make sure you mockup all your ride heights before you build anything.

[suicide-wrist red]

+1 ^^^^^ btw, phat...is your name rob?