Category: 1955-1959 Chevrolet-GMC Trucks

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Poll results!

Poll Results: What Are You Looking For?

I recently ran a poll to find out what kits and components you’re most interested in. Unsurprisingly, the clear winner was the “Fridge Trucks” — the 1957–1960 Ford F100s. That’s where my focus will be over the next four weeks.

If you’re one of the many who voted for it, you’re in luck—development is already underway.

Ranking of the poll
Ranking of the poll from 03/16/2025 through 03/23/2025

What’s Next: Fabricated Arms and Airbags

Tube control arms are still on the table, but I’m also working on a fabricated version. These would potentially reduce cost and be better suited for airbag setups. I have quite a bit of design work to finish before they’re ready.

 

What I need from those of you interested, is suggestions on how you intend on using these. Stock applications? That is a possibility for you Dakota guys. Do you want to stick with stock rubber bushings, go fully Poly bushings? How about something trick like spherical bearings?

Studebaker IFS Kits and What’s Coming Next

Over the years, I’ve built a handful of Studebaker IFS kits. While they worked well and had their fans, they were never big sellers—on average, I moved fewer than six kits a year. On top of that, the fixtures I had built for them were damaged during my move back in early 2020.

That means if I want to bring them back, I’d have to start from scratch—completely rebuilding the fixturing and investing the time and materials to make them viable again. Based on current costs, I estimate each kit would land at around $1250, plus crating and freight for shipping.

A Community-Supported Build?

Here’s the deal:
If 10 committed people are truly interested, I’m willing to do the work. I’d need a $750 deposit from each person to fund the fixture rebuild and the first production run. Once your kit is built and ready to ship, the balance would be due.

If that sounds like something you’d be on board with, reach out. If I can gather 10 real commitments, I’ll greenlight the project.

New Name, Same Mission

As many of you know, I’m in the middle of a rebrand. The new parent company will be called KofA Kustom.
I’ll still be using Industrial Chassis as the label for my branded suspension parts, but KofA Kustom will represent the broader business and future of what I’m building here.

Thanks for sticking with me, and thanks for voting—it’s genuinely helpful as I plan what’s next.

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Dodge Guys! Front Brake Upgrade Information!






Caliper Bracket Compatibility Chart



Caliper Bracket Compatibility Chart




✔
Make Model Year
CHRYSLER 300 1971
CHRYSLER NEW YORKER 1972-1973
DODGE B100 1973-1980
DODGE D150 PICKUP 1977-1981
DODGE RAMCHARGER 1985-1993


If your spindle looks like this, there is a good chance this bracket will allow you to use the Wilwood D52 two piston slider caliper on your stock rotor. Centric, StopTECH and R1 Concepts are both making slotted and coated rotors for a nice visual and actual performance upgrade.

The one I am unsure of is the D100 with the 5 on 4.5″ bolt circle. The inner bearing is smaller indicating the spindle may be different.

Printable PDF CLICK HERE

The update here is that the 1980-1984 Dodge D150 rotor for the 3300 lb. front axle is the small pattern rotor has the 63mm inner bore on the rotor so it does fit the spindles with the 1.49″ bearing register. Everything else is the same as the 3600 lb. axle with the 5 on 5.5″ rotor. Beware of what inner bearing and race are used on your application, as there is a difference in the small pattern rotors. The National A17 shows a 1.3772 (34.981mm) inner bore on the bearing and a 2.3622 (60mm) outer, which is smaller than the National A18 bearing that rings in at 1.4961 (30mm) on the inner bore and 2.4803 (63mm) on the outer. Both carry the same A18 bearing. If you are unsure of what spindle you have, grab a measuring caliper and check that inner bearing register on your spindle with these inner bore dimensions. And please refer to this drawing for your caliper mounting dimensions.

It is possible that these brackets will work on the D100 spindle, but it is unlikely that the small pattern D100 rotor will fit the Dakota or D150 spindles, because of this diameter difference.
I would love to be proven wrong on this!  And now I was proven wrong, we are good to go!

Part image

 

The Dakota and D150/B150/B1500 use the same bearings and grease seals.

National A18 inner bearing with 38mm ID and 63mm OD. And all the spindles use the same A16 outer bearing with the 21.999mm ID and 45.974 OD.

 

Below are likely to be able to use these caliper brackets.

If you need further assistance, send me an email at info@industrialchassisinc.com or text to ‪(480) 535-7774‬ to learn how to purchase a pair.

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Next video up, Rust removal click bait!

And some metal shaping too!

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Stagnation: The condition of being stagnant; the cessation of flow

I need to post an update about the state of the product lines.

The arrangement with my employer has been difficult when it comes to production, pricing and shipments. I am exploring my options because you guys have been wanting more product that the current situation cannot fulfil.

I have been in contact with a few interested parties in a licensing agreement to produce the kits and parts again.

If you are in need of parts, please contact me at steve@industrialchassisinc.com

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Interesting information!

MOOG looks like they are making the Dakota control arms now.

CarID has a page where the Passenger side is listed available

 

MOOG® - R-Series™ Front Driver Side Upper Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly

https://www.carid.com/1990-dodge-dakota-suspension-parts/moog-r-series-control-arm-and-ball-joint-assembly-3665691174.html?parentsubmodel[]=WHEEL+DRIVE|RWD+%28Rear+Wheel+Drive%29

Right Upper – RK623220
Left Upper – RK623221

No information on lowers at this time.

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We have achieved a soft open

These last two years have been very interesting. The shop has been operating at very limited capacity since August of last year. We are now at a point were we can start ramping up production. Some parts are available now, but building inventory is always going to be slow.

I made the decision to stop making a few low volume parts, like the Studebaker clips. The issues now with the Mustang II spindles is going to require a redesign of a kit I have been producing for nearly 18 years. And the fixture was damaged in the move. I really don’t want to go through the trouble to redesign and build from scratch again on those. I am going to focus on the trucks more. In design right now are my un-parallel rear four bar kits. With air bag or coil over options. There will be a standard height and a Bridge Notch type. Also is a Pre-Z front suspension kit. This will get you 2″ closer to the ground for those of you wanting to lay frame/rocker.

The shops main focus is full builds. Industrial Chassis is the house brand of parts to Phoenix Hotrod Company. You can find them over at www.phoenixhotrods.com This site will remain as the focus on parts and chassis builds.

I am moving away from Facebook. The ad pushes and cultured content are just too much. Please make an account here on the website and join the forums. I do not collect data on you, will not sell your information and can focus on your questions better.

Forum

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Do work son!

Yeah, things are progressing. The move is moving forward. It’s looking like about six weeks or so of this posting that we will be back.

The web-store will be back when we are able to produce. There may be a delay in between when you order and when we ship, but no more than a week as we sort the production and shipping in the new location.

This has been one of the wildest journeys so far. The potential here is going to be next level for the entire team.

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More new product in the store

Recently added are dropped spindles, engine mounts and a few other goodies.

Like this, a bolt-in transmission crossmember for stock Model A frames. Allows you to use ’35 up style transmission mounts and a 48-52 Ford F1 brake and clutch pedal set. 

 

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1955-1959 GM Dakota kits very soon. AND MORE!

Been working on the design for the newest kit to our line. The 1955-1959 GM Truck Dakota kit. We will have this ready by the end of September in two forms. Our standard kit that accepts the stock ’87-’96 Dodge Dakota componentry and this will be our first venture into a tube control arm and coil over front end! Yes, you read that right we are going to offer tube control arms very soon. I have been working on the design and the fixturing to get these to a reasonable cost. So look for an official release of the newest kits very soon.

We have also been working on engine mounts and bolt on anti-roll bar mounts. I have some almost ready to go for Ford and Chevy engines in the 35-56 F100 kits. I need to check fitment on the others before we release them.

 

 

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New information regarding springs and brakes

I do my best to keep up with information on all of our products. I was recently informed that the earlier 1973-1982 Dodge D series rotors for the 3000 pound front axle take a different bearing and are not compatible with the Dakota spindles. I made a quick note on the D-series caliper bracket selection about this change and will soon update all of the information to reflect the correct interchanges.

This morning however, was a question about springs for the Dakota IFS kits with 302 Fords. This is a work in progress and as I gather more information about the spring selections I will add it to the list to help you guys get the most out of your front end. This new information about the spring selection is in the Dakota Tech section.