I am often asked about how to go about installing an IFS or IRS in a straight axle car/truck and my standard answer is first get a computer or library card. Learn everything you can about suspension in general and such terms as anti dive, ackerman angle, and roll center. We have had many given up on projects or even death traps from ones that were going to "make it drive like new" in a week end. We now have a 53 Ford short stepside that is a collection of everything that SHOULDN'T have been done. It had a mid 70's Chevy pickup front frame clip grafted on to where the front bumper was at least a foot higher than stock and the rear end was from the same donor that stuck the tires out from under the fenders 3" on each side. For exhaust clearance BOTH the top and bottom flange had been cut off the right frame rail for about 6" and directly in line. With a heavy 351 Cleveland engine it sat at about a 20* reverse rake. It now has an Aspen/Volare ifs and an Explorer rear axle which lets the tires be in under the fenders, the same wheel bolt pattern, and a pleasing rear to front rake. At the very LEAST one should take all the measurements and angles from the COMPLETE donor car/truck and then duplicate those conditions on the project vehicle. I guess as long as some won't learn our parts storage yard will stay full "please haul it away" unfinished projects. It's a shame when it's really not a difficult task to do it right.
"I can do this" can be dangerous words. What you are talking about, Evan, is why I love this site. With the wealth of knowledge here, (complete with pictures) many feel safe working their way through a project. If you aren't sure, ask.
I wonder how many cool projects are sitting in garages somewhere dead because of just what you described. Probably not be available until an estate sale.
