Should be picking up a new project soon.. wondered if any of you guys have put a mustange II front end in one or what they are doing..

Let me be the first to say Dakota front frame swap.

Actually, the MII works great, you can buy every part on the aftermarket and it is plenty strong enough for a street rod pickup. But the sentiment here is "keep it Mopar" so the Dak frame wins.

Fatman Fabrications is a good place to start on front ends.

R.

I'm lazy, when I did the frame all the following was done: brake lines, master cylinder, disc brakes, rack and pinion, bed floor, fuel tank, and steering shaft.

Here's what I had to fab up to make it work: mate the steering shaft, move the motor back and make mounts cab, engine and transmission, hang a brake pedal.

It time to make a build thread for my pick up.

current state

here is what im starting with

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=710598&highlight=dakota+frame

Look halfway down the page at he red 56, the frame fits really good.

i would vote for the dakota too----mustangII is just an ok front end----most racers will admit that MII can be overwhelmed by horse power---even the MII guys upgrade to granada stuff which also ranks behind the dakota---another front and rear clip to consider for a hot rod is Jaguar MK6---they are bolt off/weld back on setups with superior brakes--and the jag rear is a dana 44 which you can buy anything for--just ask the jeep guys....bob

subsrcibed

Google search the Dakota wheel base and there should be three. Luckily the front tires to the back of the cab were the same on both trucks. The frames can be shortened but I didn't need to do that.

somewhat on topic

90% sure im going to do a full dakota frame swap.. got the truck on saturday so now time to dissasemble and rebuild. lots of work.

If you don't have a lift and your friend does you have a new best friend.

The Trucks come apart easily but the bodies get in the way until you scrap the unneeded stuff.

A newer Dakota looks funny on an old chassis DAMHIK. The guy at the scrap yard didn't like it either because they weren't bolted together.

My first measurement was from the back of the cab to the front wheel centerline. This helped me see how far back into the bed I was when moving cabs. Luckily on my Plymouth they were both 60". If possible work on the cab then the bed. My brakes and steering fell right into place afterward. If I had more info I could give it to you but there are quite a few pilot house builds on the HAMB.

Looking at a 93 dak. I figure get the cab on and center the front wheels in the wheel well and work from there.

You may have seen my 57. It sets on the forward half of an 88 Dak frame and the rear half is shortened, narrowed and boxed 57. You can set the ride height by how far down over the frame that you set the body.

another

post lots of pics please

03 and newer Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/Towncar. Front clip/engine cradle is bolted in with 4 bolts. IIRC the frame width is 34"

Kevin