71' D200 Searching for Eight Lug IFS

[birddog_mopar]

I dont want to ruin a perfectly good 3/4 ton truck but I would also like to have IFS and also retain my my stock frame without hacking off the front frame rails. So I have been reading on here about all the options out there from frame swaps to Crown Vic front ends I am trying to find a solution to keep the 8-lug bolt pattern. I had an 82' Chevrolet K2500 front end offered to me for free and it was perfect because everything was actually mounted to the crossmember, A-arms and all, then it is simply bolted to the frame rails, not even riveted. I thought it would be perfect.......until I measured a chevrolet at the junk yard (I havent picked up my free front end yet). I measured my frame rails and learned they tapered from 34 1/2 behind the radiator support to 37 inches around the steering box. When I measured the Chevrolet it was 24"-25" with no taper to the cab. Then I realized that is how they mounted everything on the crossmemeber by making the frame rails narrower. About the closest thing to 34"-35" was a Chevrolet 3/4 ton van. They didnt have any Dodge 3/4 ton trucks to measure so I am not sure about the 72-93 style trucks. The biggest problem I forsee is the taper in the frame at least in doing a double A-arm suspension. None of the other trucks or vans I measures tapered except for maybe the newer 90's model Dodge vans but they have a pretty complicated suspension set up at least the way it is connected to the frame. Now maybe someone here has some idea of what may work on a IFS conversion and I am all ears, but I will not cut my frame rails and add new ones and I will not change to 5 lug. I may be picky but I think someone has an idea of a good solution.

[slick]

I've thought about the Chevy conversion many times due to the fact that you can buy anything for that front end. I decided if I did it I would probably cut both frames and weld in the Chevy clip. From what I remember is that the track widths were really close. But, like you say the frame rails are way off. One of the options I considered was cutting the chevy crossmember that holds everything and widening it. Then I believe the track width would be too wide. In my crazy mind I thought it might work if you ran a wheel with enough offset. Anyway just thinking out loud

[birddog_mopar]

I appreciate the reply and I like your idea about widening a chevy front end. I haven't thought of that, but I think you are right about making the track width to wide. I will look into it and keep posting if I can make it work or if it is feasible. You know I have found this forum great for ideas and more ideas or thinking out loud would be really helpful to not just me but anyone trying to do an IFS either now or in the future.

[Outlaw]

I know this is an old post but i was curious if bird_dogmopar came or someone else came up with anything? I'd be pretty interested in something like this as well.