So, new to the board. Looking for some assistance with frame dimensions.

Project. Looking to get into a 38-42 2dr sedan. I've looked at Chevy's (because I'm a GM powertrain engineer)and some Dodge/Plymouth vehicles (also employed at DCX at one time). I like the Dodge/Plymouth vehicles better due to styling and overall vehicle size. In addition, the chevy frame is narrower than I'd like.

So, what I'm looking to do is mount a FWD engine/transaxle (think fiero) in the rear of the vehicle. The key is that the frame rails are wide enough to encompass the width of the struts protruding up. In the end, I'd have a RWD turbo 4cly powered classic car that would pull down some good fuel economy. A cool looking daily driver is my goal.

For 38-42 cars (if the same), in particular 40/41 if not, I need:

1. Distance between frame rails directly above the rear axle.

2. Frame rail width above the rear axle. (thus gets me outside of framerail width.

Welcome to the board!
How wide do you need to clear whatever you want to clear? There is a lot of room between the rear frame rails, at the axle, on a 39-41 Mopar car. I don't have the exact measurements, but it has to be at least 45" between the inside of the rails. They are a lot wider then the od of a Dakota rear frame and they are 38" wide.

Look back through the pages on this section, there has been a lot of 40-41 builds documented here. I know someplace back in those pages someone posted frame dimensions for a 39-42 Mopar. I'm too lazy to look and would just get out a tape measure and check.

I know years ago I had the measurements all laid out to put a fwd Lebaran drive train between the front fenders of a 35 Plymouth and figured it would fit, struts and all under the fenders. The motor would have almost completely fit under the hood of the 35 and it is a lot more narrow then a 39-42. Gene

I'm a google hound when it comes to finding info. This is the only useful info I've found. However, it's frame alignment specs for a 37.

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...e=1#Post5304940

Are they they same through 42?


I was hoping I could talk someone into going out and measuring it on their car.

EDIT: forgot the link I had

Sweet! Exactly the info I was looking for. Thx.

thanks for posting the 40 model deminsions