1958 Chevy Fleetside Truck Mustang II IFS Kit Install - Actually See The USA In Your Chevrolet

The first order of the install calls for the boxing plates to be installed, but first the frame needs a little trimming.

Here is a close-up shot of the trimmed frame. As you can see, the top and bottom rails are uniform and even, which is exactly what is needed in order to install the boxing plates.

Here, the plate is held to the frame to see if the plate itself needs to be trimmed...

...Oftentimes the plate needs a little tweeking in order to ensure a proper fit. Once trimmed and level, the plate in can be welded in place.

Be carful not to let too much heat build up in any one spot, weld a few inches at a time while switching between the left and right side, and top to bottom. Moving around with the welder will help ensure that neither frame warping nor bending takes place.

Once finished the welds are ground smooth.

Fitting the new Mustang II crossmember and welding it in is where one wants to take the most time. Establishing the centerline of the new crossmember, to that of the old straight-axle, can take a bit of time, but it is vital to wheel alignment and position. The inside measurement between the framerails should be 29 inches. Any gaps can be shimmed, in order to achieve the desired distance. After all the measurements are taken the crossmember is tacked into place.

The spring mounts should also be centered over both the axle and crossmember centerline. The distance to the middle of the upper control arm adjustment slots should be about 32 3/4 inches. The spring mounts too can be trimmed, or shimmed, in order to get the measurement to where it needs to be.

With everything in place, the spring mounts are tack welded. After tack welding, all measurements, including diagonal measurements, are checked for accuracy. If everything is up to code then it is welded into place.

With the core of the install finished it's now time to install the suspension and steering components, which include: tubular A-arms, 2-inch drop spindles, a new power rack-and-pinion, 10-inch disc brakes, springs, and shocks.

The rack-and-pinion unit is the first component bolted onto the new Mustang II setup.

Next, the lower control arms are installed. All the hardware comes in the Total Cost Involved kit, therefore there's no need to continually run to the auto parts store.