IFS setup for Dodge Vans & Trucks

I was at the Good Guys Show in Pleasanton, CA this past weekend and spoke to the guys at Scott's Hot Rods & Customs (Knoxville, TN) about their new IFS (independent front suspension) setup for our Dodge vans and trucks. One thing I got of the conversation is that the way they made this kit, it avoids having to cut into the wheel tubs up front. Of course this depends on how low of a setup you want with the air bags. They said they've made and sold about a dozen IFS kits for these vans. Contact them for more details as I don't have all the answers about the kit, just wanted to share general information.

The options and details are listed on their sight as well. For the newbie's asking about air ride and IFS setups, get ready to open up your wallet because it won't be cheap. In obtaining a quote, I chose the cheapest options with an air ride setup. The kit starts at $2495, and in the end I would be looking at around $4,300. Oh, and if I decide to have a shop install it? Probably another $1500 depending on where you live.

RodStRace post some great info a few years back about this subject. In short, if you don't know what you're doing, don't start hacking into your front or rear suspension without a plan. What's your van's purpose? Cruiser, race, weekends only. For the experienced fabricators and welds, this cost would be a lot less.

Just remember that this holds up the whole front end.
Get the best welder you can find.


Seriously, while I like the MII design and understand why the crossmenber should be level with the lower control arms, AND that the straight axle is also close to even with the bottom of the front rims, that just looks funny to me with a big square crossmember that low in the middle. Guess if it's mounted so it lowers the van, you won't see it...
UNLESS



The suspension looks well thought out and the fabbed control arms look nice, I wonder about
1. a skid plate for the front of the steering rack,
2. added gusseting for the inner pivot points (tubing) of the upper and lower arms.
3. No grease fittings and if the control arm bushings are available in rubber AND/OR delrin/urethane?
4. Options for spring rates/shock settings/sway bar sizes?
5. Simple U-bolts for attaching the rack? I'd prefer something a bit more substantial, like these


I don't recognize the spindles - easily adaptable to big brakes? What wheel offset is optimum for them? Proper Ackerman with the forward mount tie rod ends?

I do like the alignment adjustment built into the upper arms rather than the slotted MII setup, and the rack is already pivoted to face forward.
It's also upgraded the lower arms from the stock setup to the full lower arms like most upgraded kits, along with the coilover upgrade from separate shocks and springs with a big spring pocket. Well thought-out, and I'll bet the questions I raised have also been considered.
Here is a typical aftermarket kit with some upgrades. Pricing is not out of line with comparable kits for other applications.
https://www.streetrodengineering.com/products/1942-47-ford-truck-hub-to-hub-kit

If you gotta be cheap but need a little info to get you going (provided you have the skills),
Here is a 14 page book for 16 bucks
https://www.hotrodplans.com/product/mustang-ii-front-suspension-build-fraction-cost/

Here's what is posted on their website:

Standard Features:
• One-piece crossmember 2”x4”x3/16”-wall box tubing
• Unequal-length A-Arms, 1-1/8”x1/4”-wall seamless DOM tubing
• Oversized Serviceable Press-In Ball Joints
• 11” Plain Brake Rotors w/Single Piston GM Caliper (5 on 4.5” or 4.75” Bolt Pattern)
• Aldan American Single-Adjustable Coilovers
• Frame Boxing Plates
• Stainless Steel Fully Adjustable Upper A-Arm Rod Ends
• Built-in Anti-Dive
• Manual Steering Rack & Pinion
• Standard or Dropped Forged Steel Spindles
• LIFETIME GUARANTEE



OPTIONS
• Custom Track Width
• Motor Mounts $150+
• Powder coating $450
• Wilwood Mustang II ProSpindles $200
• Standard 1” Solid Sway Bar $289
• Torsion Spline Sway Bar $625
• Steel Braided Brake Lines w/Banjo fitting for GM Calipers $88
• Wilwood 4-Piston Caliper Upgrade $300
• Steel Braided Brake Lines w/-3AN for Wilwood Calipers $74
• Wilwood 11”, 12”, 13”, 14” Drilled & Slotted Brake Kits $625+
COILOVER OPTIONS
• Aldan American Single-Adjustable (Rebound) (included)
• Aldan American Double-Adjustable (Rebound/Compression) $500
• RideTech Single-Adjustable (Rebound) $650
• RideTech Triple Adjustable (Rebound/High & Low Compression) $1,650
SUPERSLAM SHOCK OPTIONS
• RideTech HQ Single-Adjustable Shocks (Rebound) $330

looks like great kit,did they have any solution for hooking the rack to your steering colum?thats what throws me off

I’ve put IFS in my A100 pickup, and the steering issue had me stumped for a bit. I think I finally figured it out. I had to use a double u-joint and two single u-joints, and it appears that it will work. Can’t be sure just yet as the truck is still on a rotisserie awaiting some floor panel repairs.