KB-2 Front suspension/axle questions


The "Hot Rod" version of the K and KB truck

Rookie
Rookie

Posts: 14

Joined: Wed May 21, 2014 8:44 am

Location: Manitoba, Canada

Post Fri Mar 27, 2015 12:41 pm

KB-2 Front suspension/axle questions

I plan to put a 327 sbc, 4spd and posi rear into my KB-2

My question is about front suspension/axle etc. with safety being my concern. My intended use for the truck is to use it seasonally and occasionally as a run around on weekends and for going to car shows/swap meets.

Is it safe and reliable to run the original front end? (I would do the disc brake swap and rebuild worn parts etc.)

How do these trucks handle with original front end set-ups with a V8 and radials?

Should I just fork over the cash for an aftermarket front end?
User avatar

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 770

Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 2:29 pm

Location: Thunder Bay On

Post Fri Mar 27, 2015 8:23 pm

Re: KB-2 Front suspension/axle questions

No reason you can't run stock safely. You will get the feel of the old front end quick enough after you bounce off a couple potholes. You could also install power steering with a rack and pinion steering along with the disc brakes. Post some pictures of the truck. I have M 11 IFS in my K1.
User avatar

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 630

Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:04 pm

Post Sat Mar 28, 2015 4:38 pm

Re: KB-2 Front suspension/axle questions

My yellow 48 KB-2 has the stock front axle with my disc brake conversion and rack and pinion steering. I will drive it anywhere and I tow my other 48 KB-2 to the Nationals with it. It actually rides pretty good. here are a few pics.
Bill
Image
Image
My disc set-up.
Image
My steering rack.
Image
KB owner since 1972 and still loving it.
Retired Lineman, mechanic, fabricator, retired motorcycle racer.
South Amherst, Ohio

Rookie
Rookie

Posts: 14

Joined: Wed May 21, 2014 8:44 am

Location: Manitoba, Canada

Post Sat Mar 28, 2015 4:50 pm

Re: KB-2 Front suspension/axle questions

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

Bill, your truck is awesome! Nice to see it towing the other IH. What steering rack did you use? Is there a tech thread on it by chance?

I am in the planning and parts accumulation stage. I am going to order the disc brake parts soon :) I should order the steering parts too.
User avatar

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 630

Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:04 pm

Post Sun Mar 29, 2015 8:59 am

Re: KB-2 Front suspension/axle questions

I used a Flaming River, manual dodge Omni rack, the steering shaft is a sliding unit for a rock crawler, grease-able, as I mounted my rack on the axle for no bump steer. They also have power racks if needed, but you need to have the hydraulic lines movable with enough slack for axle movement. here is a pic of the shaft.
Bill
Image
KB owner since 1972 and still loving it.
Retired Lineman, mechanic, fabricator, retired motorcycle racer.
South Amherst, Ohio

Rookie
Rookie

Posts: 14

Joined: Wed May 21, 2014 8:44 am

Location: Manitoba, Canada

Post Sun Mar 29, 2015 9:36 pm

Re: KB-2 Front suspension/axle questions

Great info and pic. Thank you very much.

Rookie
Rookie

Posts: 10

Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2015 7:15 pm

Post Wed Sep 09, 2015 8:34 pm

Re: KB-2 Front suspension/axle questions

Bill, just found this when searching for some ideas for improving the steering in my kb2 that I just got on the road. Was this as straight forward as it looks? Basically looks like you built a plate to hold the rack to the axle, attached to the ball joints and then made the connection to the steering shaft. Am I close? This looks like a cheap way to get some good, responsive steering under the old girl.
User avatar

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 630

Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:04 pm

Post Fri Sep 11, 2015 5:01 pm

Re: KB-2 Front suspension/axle questions

You got the idea of it, you have to use a slip-shaft for the axle to go up and down. It needs to have a minimum of 4" of travel in the shaft.
Bill
KB owner since 1972 and still loving it.
Retired Lineman, mechanic, fabricator, retired motorcycle racer.
South Amherst, Ohio

Pile of Parts
Pile of Parts

Posts: 25

Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2016 2:47 pm

Location: Edmonton , Alberta

Post Tue May 03, 2016 6:57 pm

Re: KB-2 Front suspension/axle questions

Where did you source the slip shaft from and what tie rod ends did you use , if I might ask .
User avatar

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 630

Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:04 pm

Post Thu May 05, 2016 5:07 pm

Re: KB-2 Front suspension/axle questions

Flaming River.
KB owner since 1972 and still loving it.
Retired Lineman, mechanic, fabricator, retired motorcycle racer.
South Amherst, Ohio
Next

Return to The Modified K-KB

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests

Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
Designed by ST Software for PTF.