Steve:
Three years ago I installed a TCI IFS in my '56. I agree with all the
responses from list members regarding the 'best' ways to find the
centerline, but want to pass-on a couple of experiences I had with the
install and subsequent problems.
1.) Be especially careful when locating the upper shock tower mounts. I
carefully measured mine three times before welding them in and still had
problems with alignment. After they were installed and everything hooked
up, I took it to a front end alignment place and found I had the towers too
narrow. I couldn't get enough adjustment out of the slots for the upper A
arms to get everything within spec. I wound up grinding the slots wider,
but still did not get enough adjustment. I'm barely within spec because of
this.
2.) I had a friend weld in the lower crossmember and uppershock towers. In
my zeal to have a clean looking installation I ground the welds to clean
them up. Turns out the lower crossmember has had cracks in the welds on
both sides and one of the shock towers came dangerously close to separating
from the frame. I think in retrospect that the weld penetration wasn't deep
enough combined with me grinding away too much.
I learned two things from this:
a.) Don't overgrind structural welds to make them look pretty.
b.) Unless you are an accomplished welder and confident of your skills,
consider having a professional weld-in your crossmembers.
The last thing you want is something coming loose while your traveling 60-70
MPH down the road.
In my case, I took the truck to a professional street rod shop and had them
inspect, grind a re-weld all the critical areas. I also drilled a 1/2 inch
hole through the top shock towers to the bottom frame rail and installed
grade 8 bolts in case I had any future fatigue weld fractures with the
towers (kind of a band-aid fix, but I didn't want everything coming loose at
once while driving).
Sorry for the lengthy reply. Hope this information helps. Good Luck with
your install!!
Carl Ham
'56 Chevy Stepside Pickup
Hopewell, IL
>From: Steven Stuckmeyer <slstusmc@yahoo.com>
>Reply-To: Steven Stuckmeyer <slstusmc@yahoo.com>
>To: oletrucks <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
>Subject: [oletrucks] IFS Install
>Date: Sun, 14 May 2006 10:46:41 -0700 (PDT)
>
>Hey all,
> I'm getting ready to install a TCI custom IFS in a 51 Chevy 3100. It
>says to mark the front axle center-line and go from there. What actually is
>the front axle center-line? Is it straight done from the frame to the
>center of the axle as it passes under or is it the actual center at top of
>the kingpin measured across? I sure want to get it right.
> I've found directions for 47-54 with the two piece ifs (with spring
>towers) that says to measure 18 1/8" back from the center of the forward
>spring perch hole, but that does not look right to me. Any help would be
>appreciated.
> On another note, I have me four link and rear end all painted and
>ready to put in. I just need to paint the pack of the frame and get some
>buddies over here to get the cab off to do the rest. I sure miss the son
>and his football buddies. It was amazing the help you could get for a few
>sodas and burgers. Grocery bill is alot less now though.
> Thanks in advance!
> Steve Stuckmeyer
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