whats going on here?! (lowered 440) + ifs

[AJwestcoast]

hey guys, i found this picture of somebodys lwered 440, and im wondering exactly whats going on with this rear axle set up?? download/file.php?mode=view&id=18511

also, a lot of people seem to do the IFS swap on these lowered trucks, how involved is that?? pros and cons vs a lowered straight axle w/ disc breaks?

i have a 70 d200 w/ a 383 that im making a wild street truck. so any and all information you can give is much appreciated , esp. reguarding how to give my truck the stance that this one has. so far i have lighter axles and lighter/flater (d100) springs

[AJwestcoast]

also! heres a picture of the IFS + discs done cleanly and well. im just wondering if anybody can bassically walk me through the steps it takes to get herehttp://www.sweptline.org/forums/download/file. ... 0b8171b1b1

... this is the height im TRYING TO GET on beauty im working with.. NOTE: its not here yet, i just printed a picture of my truck and cut at the bottom of the body line and moved it to get the future stance.

[Hobcobble]

Welcome to the site. It looks as though
the rear axle in that first pic was placed on top of the
springs. It also looks like they used the old u-bolts. Yikes!!
Do a bit more searching on the site for brake options. There
are some who have brought their D200s down in stance while
successfully avoiding "bump steer" and/or "death wobble".....
Whatever you do..... don't re-use u-bolts.... that's bad news
waiting to happen.....
John

[AJwestcoast]

okkay, thanks! thats pretty simple and ive read about it before, is there anything special about those springs? or are they basically soft stock ones? also, it looks like they must have welded that bar across it to mount the shocks, and bolted on a stabilizer, correct? and ill do some research on that IFS, so thanks alot! ill post some pictures to show you guys my truck soon

[Hobcobble]

is there anything special about those springs? or are they basically soft stock ones? also, it looks like they must have welded that bar across it to mount the shocks, and bolted on a stabilizer, correct?

It appears as though extra springs were added to push the axle up
further into the wheel wells, judging by the the leafs I see "outside"
of the spring pack clips. It looks as though a makeshift
shock tower was fashioned that incorporates that stabilizer bar.
That set up might also act as a "grader" on gravel roads. Just
keep in mind that lowering [or raising] a vehicle will change its geometry
and will possibly change the steering/handling. Be safe in what you do.
Bump steer and/or death wobble can yank the steering wheel right out
of your hands.
John

[soopernaut]

They probably couldn't find ahocks that would fit so they built the bar below the axle to mount them.

[jeffz]

IMO, that pic shows how not to do it. The other guys have raised legit. concerns. My truck isn't a 200, but you can check out my build thread for pics of a Mustang II front IFS with 2" drop spindles, and a 4 link rear. I saw a 66 D100 today that had a Volare front susp., and it had a great stance. Good luck with your truck.

[AJwestcoast]

yea ive read alot about how the geometry difference can cause problems, so im trying to figure out how to avoid all that. and this does sort of seem to be the sketchiest way ive seen of achieveing a drop... and wow jeffz thats a really clean project youve got there, all of it looks great. the thing it that my truck is running great so i dont have much of a need ( or enough money) to do a ground up resto. i would like to get this drop going with as little tear down as possible, im going to try to see if i can set up the rear axle like this to lower it some.

[AJwestcoast]

to do IFS im guessing you have to pull the engine completely no matter what?? or at least support it and measure everything precisely?? if you dont mind me asking, how much did that suspension in your '66 cost you? that is, how much total for the front set up (1) and the rear(2) ?? i think for now im looking into geting a droped beam from sids' for the front, discs from scarebird, and going to give the rear axle setup i posted here a try, with maybe correctly fitting shocks and a few diferences.

another question i have is that my dad coned me out of the 4:10 posi i originally had in my truck, do you guys know anything about the 3:23 rear ends that dodge did in these years? and how that'd mount up to a new 727 torqflight trans.?

thanks, all of this info is so helpfull!!

[soopernaut]

another question i have is that my dad coned me out of the 4:10 posi i originally had in my truck, do you guys know anything about the 3:23 rear ends that dodge did in these years?

The 4.10 ratio you had would have been your 3/4 ton Dana 60 axle. The 8 3/4 rear axle didn't come with that ratio except in the later 4 wheel drive trucks, I think. The 8 3/4 axle is one of the best and was used behind Hemis and big blocks in muscle cars. A 3.23 ratio is a pretty good ratio for highway use but maybe not the best for towing or drag racing. Robin did run a 3.23 in his 440 powered truck and never had problems drag racing so it is still useable. Taking off from a stop might be a little slower but top end is going to be good. It depends on how you plan on using the truck.

[Angry68d100]

I have a 71 D100 Uteline and I want to lower the from end PROPERLY. What is the best way and are there any kits available? Looking forward to replies. I want to still ensure I have 4 inch ground clearance as its my daily driver

Thanks

[Angry68d100]

My truck is a 71 D100 Uteline with the 727 and 3.23 rear end stock. Its great on the freeway and has plenty of get up and go courtesy of a very healthy little engine