Thread: Suspension Advice

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I got my new project home ('34 International) and need to get a rolling chassis going. I would like to keep as much of the truck stock as possible but need a safe ride. Is this front suspsension worth keeping as far as being safe, converting the brakes to hydraulic and getting parts? I would also like to keep the stock rearend with leaf spring supsension. Would I be better off going to a normal drop axel style? This is my first hot rod build.

thanks

scott

IMO there is not a lot of the stock suspension stuff worth keeping. If you have to have a straight axle, I would recomend a new one with a nice four bar set up and vega cross steer, or maybe the new Uni-steer rack. If it were mine, it would be an IFS front and a 9" Ford rear with a triangulated 4 bar. Looks good, rides good, handles good, and good resale....

Before you go too far, you need to step back and decide what you are going to build....is it a full fendered truck or a fenderless one? Is the theme nostalgic or more modern? What is the engine and transmission choice? The theme is important to your choice of front suspension.....I agree with Dave that the existing stuff is probably unuseable. A period 50's rod would not have independent suspension, etc. Also, your choice of motors will dictate the rear axle....if you have a modern engine, the old '34 axle will not make it far. Besides, the old axle probably has really low gears....not a highway cruiser style. Parts for a 34 International axle are in short supply this week so it may be cheaper to swap in a 9inch Ford or similar. Remember, a part that is cheap to acquire may cost you more in the long run as compared to buying the "right" component at the start.

Let the project simmer for a while....you can organize, plan, clean, disassemble, etc. while you are thinking about what to build. Dont buy too much stuff right away.....your ideas will morph as time goes on.

mike in tucson