Straight Axle

[BigDan3131]

Why is it that everyone wants to ditch the straight axles on their trucks?

I was wondering because the street rod guys don't ditch theirs so why do truck guys/girls do? My boss has a pretty much rust free motorless 59 GMC that I will probably buy after I finish my El Camino's partial re-resto. I will put 6.0L in it, drop it with mono leafs and add 4 wheel discs plus sway bars front and rear which should be enough to handle a bone stock carb'd 6.0L.

No heat, no AC and probably no PS either.

[shadow1967]

Straight axles are not a very comfortable ride. Long distance drive is like riding a rigid Harley. Back then, you hardly see a truck in the driveway, trucks where farm and commercial vehicles. Now 2 out of 3 homes have a truck or suv(truck frame). My ¾ ton 1959 killed me just going to home depot, til I removed the helper springs.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by BigDan3131

Why is it that everyone wants to ditch the straight axles on their trucks?

I was wondering because the street rod guys don't ditch theirs so why do truck guys/girls do?

For this EXACT reason I am of the opinion that years from now enthusiasts will be cursing all the trucks like ours whose frames were cut in half.

I really like the idea of IFS, but when I see street rods it makes me think I should improve my straight axle. Yeah, I know a clip is cheaper/"better" in some ways. I'm thinking dropped spindles with/without a dropped axle, either a monoleaf or just remove some leaves from the pack and add Teflon between, PB & PS. Seems like it would have to be drammatically better, albeit not as good as IFS, but hey I CHOSE to drive a nearly 60 year old truck, right?

[wayne4252004]

Wouldn't have it any other way. And it's paid for.

[coralhead]

Once cut and welded you cannot go back to original.

[Rude Dude]

You should have the Moderator move this post for more responses this sub-forum is for projects and builds.

In answering your question I have had both straight axles and IFS. The hot rod guys put them on because they are more visible for that special look (the spring is over the axle). On a truck really can be seen and the design paralell spring no matter what you do to it is still isn't going to come close to the ride an IFS will give you. What mostly determines what people put on their trucks is the better the ride the more it cost, I have a TCI setup if I was going to do an IFS again I would save and get the new Porterbuilt design and I still might do that done the line.

[meter swinger]

I still have the straight axle on my 59. I live out on the edge of town and driving my truck on empty country roads is doable with bumpsteer but still a challenge. Driving through town can be a complete nightmare with all the jerks on the road. Add to that the idea of hauling my boys with me since they want to ride and my stress level goes to the stratasphere. Im not normally prone to road rage but there are times driving this truck i could gave someone a come-to-jesus meeting.
I have a 55 dodge wagon that rides almost as good as my wifes suburban. Cars were designed much better in the 50's as far as road manners go.
I will probably, this fall, put an IFS my truck. Not because i want to race and have a G-machine but because i dont want the next ride in my truck to be my last, because of some dumba$$ that cant drive his car in his lane.
For me my primary concern is saftey and staying alive in an antigue metal box, i couldn't give two squirts of whiz about the latest suspension fads. ( that being said i'm with rude dude and will probably do the porterbuilt subframe :-) )
Posted via Mobile Device
Big dan 3131, on a side note i was camping just outside issaquah last week at tallchief. Quite an awesome little town you guys got there.

[Swifty]

I just saw this post and figured I would butt in...

I have a straight axle dodge(don't kill me guys) and its great. Most of the reasons people put IFS in the dodges/fords are to get them lower to the ground. Its hard to have a truck sitting the weeds with a straight axle. You could maybe get 4" lower with some mods but its not cheap. Its practically impossible to bag a straight axle truck.

[Red Foreman]

I'm with meter swinger on this, my 59 has mono leafs all round, its soften the ride a little & dropped it heaps but its still a handfull to drive in traffic, its hard to cruise & relax on the road.
I'm also in the process of building a 56 GMC that I Camaro clipped about a year ago & after seeing the new Porterbuilt I think I did the graft a year too early Anyway hopefully it will drive nice & smooth with the luxury & safety of IFS, PS & power disc brakes.

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by meter swinger

I still have the straight axle on my 59. I live out on the edge of town and driving my truck on empty country roads is doable with bumpsteer but still a challenge. Driving through town can be a complete nightmare with all the jerks on the road. Add to that the idea of hauling my boys with me since they want to ride and my stress level goes to the stratasphere. Im not normally prone to road rage but there are times driving this truck i could gave someone a come-to-jesus meeting.
I have a 55 dodge wagon that rides almost as good as my wifes suburban. Cars were designed much better in the 50's as far as road manners go.
I will probably, this fall, put an IFS my truck. Not because i want to race and have a G-machine but because i dont want the next ride in my truck to be my last, because of some dumba$$ that cant drive his car in his lane.
For me my primary concern is saftey and staying alive in an antigue metal box, i couldn't give two squirts of whiz about the latest suspension fads. ( that being said i'm with rude dude and will probably do the porterbuilt subframe :-) )
Posted via Mobile Device
Big dan 3131, on a side note i was camping just outside issaquah last week at tallchief. Quite an awesome little town you guys got there.

[mknittle]

The problem is leaf springs dont just move up and down. if they did it would work to soften the springs. But leaf springs move in all directions and softening just makes it worse. I have noticed quite a few people ditching mono leaf springs lately.
The roads here are not flat and smooth there are dips and dives that make driving a straight axle truck a fight. That said I still like to see them as long as I don't have to drive them

[BigDan3131]

Well for one thing I wont be using it as a DD that's for sure. I do plan to go with Posies Springs which should lower it about 3 inches front and rear and if I want more I can get lowered spindles and do a flip kit on the rear. I have a great boss with contacts to give me the great deals I need when it comes time on stuff. I do plan to try out something I have not seen and that is running dual shocks on each side valved to work with the suspension not against it.

I know I should have had this put in a different section but...If the boss is in a good mood I will ask to buy it tomorrow.