New here. Might need some help...

Hey everyone, my name is Jamie, im 23, from Cincinnati Ohio. I bought my first car (1970 nova) when I was 15, and now just got it finished. I wanted to buy another project since the nova was done so I just bought a 1954 chevy pickup truck. It has a 235 engine with the 3 speed column shifter. It runs and drives but needs some work. I really dont know anything about the older street rods because I have always been around late 60's cars growing up. I dont even know where to check the oil (if I even can) on this truck, thats how little I know. lol

The things the truck needs first is new brakes and to get the steering to be more tight. Is a disc brake kit the best way to go since im on a budget or where can I find out what brakes and master cylinder will work on this truck and then just buy the mounts to change it over. Can I put power steering on the truck with the original 6 cylinder in it? Can I change the steering wheel and the column without buying an expensive aftermarket one? Can I get new suspension and steering parts with keeping the straight axle in the front, will it ride ok? I know these are dumb questions to most of you but this is all new to me so any help would be greatly appreciated. Ohh and where do I check the oil?!?
Thanks,
Jamie Bender

Jamie, first off, welcome to CHR. 2nd, there are no dumb questions.

Straight axles will never be a top notch ride and good handling setup no matter what you do to them. Others here may argue the point, but how many modern cars are built with straight axles vs. A-Arm suspension??? An IFS set up for the front could in the long run be the best way to go. You will get good handling, good steering, and good brakes. I put an IFS under a guys '54 chebby panel last year, he had to machine a pulley on the water pump pulley to get the power steering pump to work on the car.

I'm not a chebbie guy, but if I remember correctly, the dipstick is on the left side of the motor, not sure but some chebbie guy will be along to correct me shortly, I'm sure.

Welcome to the site Jamie! They have straight up bolt on disk brake kits for this truck without having to change the spindles, etc. Go check out www.chevyduty.com. They have everything you need. 54 Chevy trucks are nice, I am trying to get my hands on a 53 for an everyday driver and did a lot of research on these kinds of trucks and found that chevy duty is the best place for most things so far.
Also some people say that changing the front end to an IFS doesn't help and that the straight axle rides basically the same. I would keep the straight axle if I were you. To drop the front end you can take the leaf springs out and move them on top of the axle (I think it's on top, either way you will put them the opposite of what they are mounted like now so if they are under the axle then put them on top and visa versa) but like I said, Chevy Duty has everything. They have things for the steering to convert to power steering to stabalizers. Good luck!

Shawn-

[QUOTE]Originally posted by FMXhellraiser Also some people say that changing the front end to an IFS doesn't help and that the straight axle rides basically the same.

i hope thier wrong or i just wasted alot of time and money:mad:

Jamie, you may want to research putting a camaro or nova subframe on your pickup, cheap as your going to get and you have disk brakes and power steering. dont start jumping up and down yet, there is alot of fabricating to be done with this task.;)

Chevy, I have heard it a few times and some people swear by it. I also red it in a book or something that I have a few times too like in a chassis book and in a cataloge and magazine. Now whether it's true or not for sure I don't know but I think a IFS is only better to upgrade better suspension and brakes and there are much more parts out there for them. If I ever find the book it's in I will type it up (that is if I don't forget). I like the old straight axles myself, they may sway backand forth and all but I like them. I would be guessing a IFS has a smoother ride since each side is independant so I don't know. Your not wasting nothing though even if it's true, at least you are learning how to weld better and put a front end in. :D

Shawn, don't know where you read that at, but burn the book. A Straight axle will never ride and handles as good as IFS...... Not meaning to pick on you,. just had too many ill handling straight axle cars and good handling IFS cars.

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To drop the front end you can take the leaf springs out and move them on top of the axle (I think it's on top, either way you will put them the opposite of what they are mounted like now so if they are under the axle then put them on top and visa versa)

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FMX,

Think of it this way. The top of the axle is higher than the bottom . . . :LOL: . . . so, if you move the springs from the bottom of the axle to the top, you will raise the truck.

Jamie,

This link shows a 55, but the 53-54 are basicallly the same.

http://chevy.tocmp.com/1955truck2shop/55ctsm0308.htm

Lots of good info in these old on-line manuals.

http://chevy.tocmp.com/index.htm

On the early Chevy I-beam axles, the springs are on top of the axle, and the spring perches are cast into the axle. Switching the axle to the top of the spring wouldn't be that easy, although it could be done.

There is no question about it. A properly installed IFS will ride and handle much better than an old straight axle. Guaranfreakinteed. Straight axle is fine for an old school rod, though.

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Originally posted by Henry Rifle
FMX,

Think of it this way. The top of the axle is higher than the bottom . . . :LOL: . . . so, if you move the springs from the bottom of the axle to the top, you will raise the truck.

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Yeah I figured that after I posted haha. But yeah speedway motors carry's 6 inch dropped axles too. Talking about Speedway, I came up with a way to mount air bags to a straight axle and the guy at Speedway gave me a list of everything they have for it, and that could be possible to do as well. A couple weeks or months ago I saw that someone came up with the airbag and straight axle idea already. :confused:

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Originally posted by Dave Severson
Shawn, don't know where you read that at, but burn the book. A Straight axle will never ride and handles as good as IFS...... Not meaning to pick on you,. just had too many ill handling straight axle cars and good handling IFS cars.

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Dave I think this was in So Cal Speed Shop book, it said how some guys say that if you have a 30's hot rod then changing to a IFS doesn't make much of a difference at all. I just read it again and So Cal says that it will make a difference. So they were just saying that is a rumor I guess. :confused: Who knows I still think an IFS works better but straight axles look better.

If you like body sway on curves, wandering all over the road, and giving your kidneys a real good workout on a bumpy road a straight axle is the way to go. But I still think everyone should have to learn to drive a staight alxe vehicle, you definitely have to keep your mind on what your'e doing and you'll really learn to appreciate IFS. JMHO :3dSMILE:

My straight axle car can do something that your IFS cant.... it can go all over the road without trying or actually making it. :p

Yup, I'lll give ya that one, Shawn!!! I gotta try hard to make my car wander around the road !!!!!!!!!

Hey, thanks everyone for your reply. I have been reading up a bunch on this truck. I think I am going to keep the front the way it is and just put all new bushings and kingpins on it. Disc brakes and power steering along with new brake lines and mastercylinder. Is there a rearend out of something else that will replace the orignal one with out cutting? I need to get a few more MPH since this will be a everyday driver someday. I am going to try to get some pics of it up on here sometime soon.
Thanks again,
Jamie

Jamie, try something out of a 57 car rear... I think they are the same width if I am correct. I have a 57 rear and looked at the one out of the truck and they seem to be the same width and you can pick up a 57 from someone with leafs and all pretty cheap, I had a guy ask for mine for 200-250. Try looking at an S-10 rear end as well. Good choice though, it's cheaper to keep the straight axle and like I said ,you can help the steering a bit by all new bushings and ball joints, etc and then get the steering stabalizer from Chevy Duty.

Thanks again. I drove the truck the other day and the truck drove allright besides it pulling to the left real bad when I brake. I think keeping the straight axle and just putting new parts around it will be fine. I will start looking around for that rearend.
Thanks,
Jamie

Change the brakes all the way around. Pulling to the left when braking is because of your brakes. Either your left side is grabbing too hard or the right side is worn shoes and not grabbing enough, visa versa, etc.

First, Jamie welcome to the site. I'm new here too, and the sight looks great. I agree with FMX and think it is good for you to keep the straight axle. However, if you decide to go dropped, IMHO I think 6 inches is a bit much, 4 inches better.
As to some of the comments about straight axles and poor handling, wandering all over the road and such, I think that most of those properties are ones of worn or poorly setup parts. When you change your kingpins and bushings, make sure they are sized by an automotive machine shop. Also definitely replace the spring bushings and pins, and all the other parts that normally wear on these front ends like tie rod ends. Make sure the steering box isn't too sloppy. Check wheel bearings for excessive wear. It will all be time well spent.
My truck has a 4 inch drop solid axle with monoleafs, and it works very well in the handling department. But it is still a truck.

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Originally posted by FMXhellraiser
Change the brakes all the way around. Pulling to the left when braking is because of your brakes. Either your left side is grabbing too hard or the right side is worn shoes and not grabbing enough, visa versa, etc.

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could also mean that there is air in the line on that side/ wheel cylender and needs bled out also.

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Originally posted by 46yblock
First, Jamie welcome to the site. I'm new here too, and the sight looks great. I agree with FMX and think it is good for you to keep the straight axle. However, if you decide to go dropped, IMHO I think 6 inches is a bit much, 4 inches better.
As to some of the comments about straight axles and poor handling, wandering all over the road and such, I think that most of those properties are ones of worn or poorly setup parts. When you change your kingpins and bushings, make sure they are sized by an automotive machine shop. Also definitely replace the spring bushings and pins, and all the other parts that normally wear on these front ends like tie rod ends. Make sure the steering box isn't too sloppy. Check wheel bearings for excessive wear. It will all be time well spent.
My truck has a 4 inch drop solid axle with monoleafs, and it works very well in the handling department. But it is still a truck.

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46yblock,
6 inches isn't a ton because that is off the stock height already and the stock axle is I think either 3 1/2 inch drop or 3 1/4 or so. So going with a 6 inch will drop it around 2 1/2-3 inches. That is what I was told on chevy talk...

Oh yeah and Matt is right about air in the lines. For some reason I had already thought in my mind that they were bled, etc and didn't even really think about air or not. But yeah I would fully bleed the brakes and bench bleed the mc if you plan to put a new one in too.

That will be a fun truck. '53 is a good year. We're just finishing one up for a friend of ours. Redid the electric, brakes, new 235, 2 inch drop out back. Should be fun when it's done.

Let's start with axles. this depends on what you want to do. everything that has been said here is true, to an extent. You won't really notice a difference in your ride between the straight axle and IFS, when you're driving down the road in a straight line, but you will when you're pulling into a corner. So the decision here lies in what you're trying to do with the truck. The power steering question has seemed to be answered pretty well and same with the brakes. First thing I would do is bleed everything real well and make sure it's all adjusted properly. We had some problems on my bud's truck with the adjusters. his just didn't work, so we were constantly adjusting, but new adjusters and all was well. Out back blocks are the way to drop. You can get all you want in a couple of hours. Very little work. I would go drop axle if you keep the straight. Taking out springs may bring your truck down, but they will affect the way it handles and the amount you can carry in it without hitting the bump stops on each and every bump, not much fun. The drums will work fine as long as you keep them adjusted and pay attention when you drive. Don't get me wrong, disc are a better setup, but the factory drums will more than get the job done. You can also buy after market boosters that fit under the cab that will help with stopping.

Other than that, have fun with it. Those are great trucks. And I would agree with Dave, there are no dumb questions. A wise man once told me the only dumb question is the one not asked.

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Originally posted by FMXhellraiser
46yblock,
6 inches isn't a ton because that is off the stock height already and the stock axle is I think either 3 1/2 inch drop or 3 1/4 or so. So going with a 6 inch will drop it around 2 1/2-3 inches. That is what I was told on chevy talk...

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Maybe there is a difference in "drops" between Chevy and Ford, I dont know. But the 4 inch drop axle I have has only 1.5-2 inches clearance above the scrub line, measured at its lowest point in the center. Wheels are 15 inch.

Alright I see what your talking about, I am not saying your wrong or nothing at all so please don't think that.

Thanks everyone for your comments. The truck is allready lowered and I wont be changing the stance or anything. If keeping the drum brakes all around will work fine I might do that and just get the power steering setup for the truck. Then change to a better master cylinder along with the new front end kingpins and such. I think a 68-72 truck power steering box will work with a couple kits for changing it over but what will work for a new tilt wheel column beside an aftermarket one? Here are some pics of the truck for you all.
Thanks,
Jamie

Ohh and the truck is a 12 volt system with a gen. can I convert that to an alternator by just switching it or do I have to do something else. Ohh and here is another pic.

Jamie, www.inliners.org. Go there and look at their tech section, it will tell you all about converting to 12 volt in a few different ways and it has the alternator way on it. Really sweet truck to! You should be able to find a late C-10 tilt as well...