Project: dumping the IFS

ryiguy · 11-15-2007, 03:45 PM

If the mods don't mind i would like to start a build thread. with pictures of course on how to straight axle a ifs chevy. I have never done this but i have started. i have a dana 60 for the back and a dana 44 for the front..both axles are out of a 78-79 ford f 250. I'm sure i can't be the only one interested in seeing how this is done and what all you need to do it. I will post up pictures of the axles tonight. there striped down and being cleaned right now. I work at a fab shop so i am making the rear caliper mount for the dana 60, at work. Both axles have 4:11 gears, both will be welded. I am going to make a high steer system, waiting for the tubes, I am also going to be running heims not ball joints on the steering. If anyone else has down this project i would love to hear some ideas. I will have lots of pictures as the days go by. I will start to remove the IFS when i get my leaf springs together. I also plan to run 40 - 42/15 ish../16 Super swamper tires. no smaller than a 40 inch tire.

72'CaminoKid · 11-15-2007, 07:33 PM

cant wait to watch the progression of you're ride

75K30 · 11-15-2007, 07:47 PM

It is the way they should be done.
I do them all the time. Those ^^^^^are D60 fronts, 35 spline outers, etc, etc, and 14 bolt rears with 5.13 gears and Detroits.
Just so you know, both the D60 rear (only 30 spline and small axle diameter) and the D44 front axle though high pinion and disc brake will be quite small with 40 inch boggers.
You will have a sever problem with carnage if you weld them up and run them hard.
Boggers are not very forgiving when it comes to traction, and having a locker in a small axle vehicle with big tires is asking for trouble.
At least with an open diff, the axle stands a chance. Get good traction on one wheel and if it can't give because it is "locked up", it will break something.
The 60 has a chance, locked 60's with stock axle shafts tend to snap them like twigs when the going gets rough.
I just came back from a trip to my local rock garden, and I broke a ring and pinion on a D60 front axle, and that was only with 40 inch boggers.
My next piece of advice would be to strongly consider stepping up in gears. 4.10's with 40 inch rubber is not gonna run so well. Gonna tear up transmissions, and the engine will work very hard to turn rubber that size.
Anyway, make sure you get the caster right, and the spring angle correct. Make real sure you get the shackle angle correct, or the truck will not flex, nor will it ride very well.
Much to do when considering a SAS, but it is worth it in the end.
The way they should have come from the factory.
An IFS 4x4 truck is nothing more than a car with a big open truck.
You are doing the right thing, just make sure that te things you do are right. Lots of scary stuff on the road, so be safe during the build.

ryiguy · 11-16-2007, 11:40 AM

The axles where a start at 250 dollars. The steering is what i'm working on right now. Thats what i'm most worried about. I do plan to do everything safe. I will be running hubs on the front, so on the road its not bad. as far as gears go 4:11 is what came with them, i am not sure what i'm going to run yet. With the auto tranny i don't want to much gear but i'll address that as i come to it. thanks for the input i will deff keep that all in mind. Nice pictures those your trucks? trying to get up some pics tonight. might start taking off the IFS this weekend.

junior3382 · 03-09-2008, 09:39 PM

You know this would be a great idea for usable thread. Lots of good info out there with a picture by picture display as well. Did you complete it ryiguy? Do you have pics? Before and afters, even progress ones. I for one would like to see it.

Hayden · 03-10-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

With the auto tranny i don't want to much gear but i'll address that as i come to it

with 40 inch tires your gonna want more gear to help turn those monsters so you dont wreck your tranny and well, the whole driveline like 75K30 said and everyone else will most likely tell you. Can't wait to see the Pics though

75K30 · 03-10-2008, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayden

with 40 inch tires your gonna want more gear to help turn those monsters so you dont wreck your tranny and well, the whole driveline like 75K30 said and everyone else will most likely tell you. Can't wait to see the Pics though

You can't ever have too much gear.
If you run a chevy rear axle, you will be limited to a 14 bolt, and gear selection will be limited to 5.13:1, and even with 40" rubber, this is still not enough gear.
Please understand gear ratios, and how they relate to your application.
I too run 39.5" tires, except I have 5.13:1 gears, and I would run 5.38's if I could.
Interested to see if the OP actually started cutting up his truck.

11-15-2007, 03:45 PM	#1
ryiguy Full Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 26	Project: dumping the IFS If the mods don't mind i would like to start a build thread. with pictures of course on how to straight axle a ifs chevy. I have never done this but i have started. i have a dana 60 for the back and a dana 44 for the front..both axles are out of a 78-79 ford f 250. I'm sure i can't be the only one interested in seeing how this is done and what all you need to do it. I will post up pictures of the axles tonight. there striped down and being cleaned right now. I work at a fab shop so i am making the rear caliper mount for the dana 60, at work. Both axles have 4:11 gears, both will be welded. I am going to make a high steer system, waiting for the tubes, I am also going to be running heims not ball joints on the steering. If anyone else has down this project i would love to hear some ideas. I will have lots of pictures as the days go by. I will start to remove the IFS when i get my leaf springs together. I also plan to run 40 - 42/15 ish../16 Super swamper tires. no smaller than a 40 inch tire.

11-15-2007, 07:33 PM	#2
72'CaminoKid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,329	cant wait to watch the progression of you're ride __________________ 99 suburban xlt 96 silverado 91 wrangler (my baby ) 08 Honday shadow 750 (my mistress)

11-15-2007, 07:47 PM	#3
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,628	It is the way they should be done. I do them all the time. Those ^^^^^are D60 fronts, 35 spline outers, etc, etc, and 14 bolt rears with 5.13 gears and Detroits. Just so you know, both the D60 rear (only 30 spline and small axle diameter) and the D44 front axle though high pinion and disc brake will be quite small with 40 inch boggers. You will have a sever problem with carnage if you weld them up and run them hard. Boggers are not very forgiving when it comes to traction, and having a locker in a small axle vehicle with big tires is asking for trouble. At least with an open diff, the axle stands a chance. Get good traction on one wheel and if it can't give because it is "locked up", it will break something. The 60 has a chance, locked 60's with stock axle shafts tend to snap them like twigs when the going gets rough. I just came back from a trip to my local rock garden, and I broke a ring and pinion on a D60 front axle, and that was only with 40 inch boggers. My next piece of advice would be to strongly consider stepping up in gears. 4.10's with 40 inch rubber is not gonna run so well. Gonna tear up transmissions, and the engine will work very hard to turn rubber that size. Anyway, make sure you get the caster right, and the spring angle correct. Make real sure you get the shackle angle correct, or the truck will not flex, nor will it ride very well. Much to do when considering a SAS, but it is worth it in the end. The way they should have come from the factory. An IFS 4x4 truck is nothing more than a car with a big open truck. You are doing the right thing, just make sure that te things you do are right. Lots of scary stuff on the road, so be safe during the build. Attached Thumbnails

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11-16-2007, 11:40 AM	#4
ryiguy Full Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 26	The axles where a start at 250 dollars. The steering is what i'm working on right now. Thats what i'm most worried about. I do plan to do everything safe. I will be running hubs on the front, so on the road its not bad. as far as gears go 4:11 is what came with them, i am not sure what i'm going to run yet. With the auto tranny i don't want to much gear but i'll address that as i come to it. thanks for the input i will deff keep that all in mind. Nice pictures those your trucks? trying to get up some pics tonight. might start taking off the IFS this weekend.

03-09-2008, 09:39 PM	#5
junior3382 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Currently, I live in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Posts: 3,040	You know this would be a great idea for usable thread. Lots of good info out there with a picture by picture display as well. Did you complete it ryiguy? Do you have pics? Before and afters, even progress ones. I for one would like to see it.