Looking at the front suspension options for my 1950 3100. Plans are to go with a 350 SBC and either a TH350 or TH700-R4 and replace the rear end to make a resto-rod daily driver.
Don't want a lowrider (don't get me wrong I like the way they look) but think a 2" drop would improve the stance of my truck. Will the Mustang II systems give me the drop I want or should I look at staying with the straight axle and look at options with the leaf springs? If I stay stock I will have to put in a p/s kit to get engine clearance.
Bob

You can use the Mustang IFS and leave it stock. Just attach it to the frame with whatever drop you want. You get the drop you want with out changing any of the geometry of the unit and alignment will be by the book=stock By installing air bags you can have all the looks any time you want. Up for speed bumps and steep angle driveways. Mild 2" for cruising, and down to enjoy the low rider look. I love my air bagged 47 pu , rides good and looks good. Installation is not hard , I would recommend the shock wave , bag and shock in one unit , dont compromise on front end , if it dont ride good all else is in vain.

Here are some pictures of mine with a Heidt's Mustang II. It's got stock spindles and springs with a 25 inch tall tire.

PHATT47 - Are you saying that you can have all three High, Medium & Low ride with bags and the aignment will be good & work for all, or that you can set-up for one hieght and still go back to others with some effect on alignment?

Wow! Excellent job on the truck, especially like the flames. Gives me lots to think about. What height tire do you have in the back?

I can't see where air suspensions would keep all alignments regardless of height, Aftermarket suspensions from all I have seen drop the frontend a minamum of 4+ inches and this is with standard spindles. You could alter part of this to compensate by adding in a spacer or 2 to help lift the truck if your not wanting to lower that much, the other issue with IFS setups in these older trucks as well as mine is dealing with the Rack & Pinion steering shaft setup, it's doable but in most cases a little bit of a PIA. I certainly wont say anything bad for the rack & pinion compared to that of the stock steering because it is far superior in handling over the old setup. I like the old straight axles and have driven old trucks many years and long distances with them and never had any issues. But anyways here is an article in classic truck I found a while back.

http://www.classictrucksweb.com/tech/0306CLstraightxxlebb/

You have to pick a ride height , mine is 41/2 inches of clearance under my cross member. All alignment is done at this height and is where I ride around.After raising it to clear something it goes back down for riding. Also after dropping it down(dropped down to bottom out will not hurt bags)to be low at shows etc. I raise it back to ride height for on the road.If you ride at other than ride height you will wear out your tires prematuraly. I know I did it.

I actually don't mind how a straight axle truck rides although it's nowhere as smooth as an IFS. My original plan was to stay with the straight axle and use monoleafs to bring the front down. I read on the Detroit Spring website that they don't recommend monoleafs for safety reasons though. Could go with multi-leaf and a dropped axle but that's starting to get close to the same cost as Mustang II IFS.

If monoleafs are a problem than there are a lot of new stuff out there thats dangerous. Its just Detroit Spring running there mouth. I run and axle but the IFS is a lot better deal if you want too spend the money. The mono doesnt lower the truck that much at all. If you use the right IFS steering shafts are not a problem...fatmans stuff most times is junk.

I have driven this one with a stock axle with some mods for over 15 years and plenty lowhttp://ecurb.zoto.com/img/45/5645f1230ed77b273f43b535475c34a5-.jpg

u can get a 3in drop axle and use original springs. drop axle runs about 490 also if anyone finds them cheaper let me no i plan on doin a dropaxle and pullin 2 leafs out

3" drop axle from CPP is $419.
www.classicperform.com
Lowered leaf springs from Detroit Spring cost $369 (plus shipping).

Hey Phat, what is your steering setup in that truck?

I thank iam going with the S10 frame swap and sell my other stuff