OldIHC

Im thinking ford 300 inline 6 5spd manual and a ford 9" just not sure what to do with front axle.

An IHC 304 V8 engine will fit into the same space as the original inline 6. All of the mounting points match perfectly. The only close but no contact place is at the right valve cover to the firewall. The clearance is about 3/8".
The 304 V8 fan lines up perfectly with the original fan shroud.
There are a transmission options with the 304 V8, including the Chrysler 727 that was made for IHC.
My favorite front axle upgrade is a Dana 44, 8 stud or Dana 60, 8 stud. This combination with a matching Dana 60 rear axle gives the option of 4X4. Your truck does not have to be raised and look not factory. A transfercase can be added at a later date, if you chose. Here is a thought. Your truck has a solid front axle now. Take it out and replace it with another front solid axle. (Dana)
The Ford 300-6 in nearly as obsolete as the IHC 6 cylinder engines. Fitting a non-standard engine presents a few difficult fitment situations. There a lot to be said for using anything OEM that fits. I have an extensive machine shop. this allows me many more build options.
My favorite engine that fits like it was made for these Old IHC pickups is the Cummins 4bta. These engines are not as easy to find as they were a decade ago, but, I see one for sale on Craigslist every so often.
The biggest challenge for fitting a Cummins in an IHC pickup is motor mounts. This was not very difficult.

I definitely want to retain manual transmission and love the look of the inline engines. Ford 300s are relatively plentiful here. They were used into the 90s and there's 3 or 4 at my local pull a part at any given time. I don't mind the original engine if I could swap the rear and get 55mph without winding it up. I am worried about brakes and oddball tires, especially if I only swapped one axle. I wouldn't mind 4x4 but not looking for it necessarily. I was starting to see what other solid front axle I could use.

An option you might like to look at is a disc brake conversion for the front axle.
https://www.tsmmfg.net/international-tr ... -1457.html
OEM Brake parts are nearly impossible to find.
A rear axle with a matching bolt pattern should be easy to locate.
I made my own rear disc brake conversion kit for my R120. I used a Dana 60 axle and GM/Chevy 4X4 backing plates. I fitted the backing plates to the rear Dana axle and added Cadillac funeral car calipers with the built in parking brake system. This stuff is way out of date, now, and parts may no longer be available. I did see where someone has been refurbishing the GM hearse calipers with the built in parking brake system.
BTW, the rear brake kit worked great.
If you have to do any changes with the steering, this is easy stuff. There are many Saginaw steering boxes that will work. You must make sure the pitman arm goes the correct way to match your truck's steering geometry. The pictured Saginaw power steering box is from a 1990 Chevy Van. Scout used Saginaw power steering. I used this steering for a conversion on a Toyota.

Great info. I had it in my head that there was only one Toyota box that you could swap out for steering and nothing else good to know there's some GM options because those will be easy to find. I thought about that brake kit but it says to keep your hubs and bearings. Mine have this big bolt pattern.

The half ton and 3/4 ton front spindles are the same. Half ton hubs will fit on your axle. Then the TSM conversion kit will fit.

Dean

Thanks!

As many people that have done frame swaps on these I really thought these front hubs were going to be easier to find....

Have still been unable to find smaller front hubs.. Haven't done anything with the truck other than get the title stuff straightened out. I'll give it a few more months looking for hubs, then it might be frame swap time

Just in the knick of time. I found a whole frame and running gear from a 1952 L110.... AND... only 45 miles from me!!
I am picking it up next weekend. Engine and trans are locked up according to the owner, but all I want is the 1/2 ton suspension anyhow.