Thinking about possibly changing the front end suspension on the 74 Duster I picked up this year. Its a full cage (app 3000 pounds with big block). Car was already raced with a big block but we each kept our drivetrain so I am build a mega block 512 for it with hopes of running 8's in the car. Kinda spoiled by the ease of working on my other cars with struts and rack and pinion steering so I would like to get rid of the k member, tortion bars, and straighten out the steering issues with stock mopar systems. The car already has Wilwood brakes on mopar spindles so I would like to be able to reuse those if possible. This subject has been talked about often but new changes are always coming out. What system would you go with and why. I will be buying a set of Andys big block and small block engine plates so I can run both combos.

I would do a strut front end. Cost is probably less than the beating 5hey give us mopar guys on K members. You can sell the brakes and spindles for a head start on cost.

There's times I wish I was a fox body guy, a world of $200-500 used front ends everywhere

If you trim the K-frame the pan will come right off with the drag link pulled. If you drill the outer tie rod locations, idler arm and pitman arm holes in the drag link you can insert tapered spacers in the holes. Now the entire steering linkage comes off with 4 nuts. The headers don't appear to be an issue. What steering issues, bump steer? caster? easily fixed. This would be my cheap solution.
Doug

Bobsprofab

I really like this idea as with other projects it would keep costs down. What do you think of this system Doug as I could get rid of the tortion bars, use my brakes, free up some room, and have some more adjust-ability. I would still have to deal with bump steer but from the way you sound its doable.


http://www.gerstsuspensions.com/coil-over-conversion-kit.html

Strange struts.. comes with everything
except the rack... $1800-$2000 depending
on what size you want... thats brakes and all

I have a friend that has struts rack and all except brakes that he wants to sell ..plans changed and went with a a arm set up for street use..if you like to pm me ill give you his info might be a deal for you ..I don't really know so wouldn't hurt to talk to him about it

I agree that's what I have . Very nice piece . A friend here in Texas saw mine and got one for his Dart.

S & W, ART have front end frame kits, with Strange struts and steering rack for around $2,500. I'm considering this mod, myself.

That car looks and runs GREAT. Nice job on the front suspension. When I get a chance and an empty bay in my shop I will move this car over and check the front end out. Thanks for the sugestions

I still have basically stock, with a trimmed K-Member in the Cuda. Tubular uppers and lowers. Torsion bars are still in place but headers are a pain as I run a 4 speed. Looking to replace the ProParts headers on there now and was getting ready to build new ones but space is an issue...... Since I run NSS with the Cuda, I must stay with stock. The exception is the control arms, as long as they are bolt in replacements. It does drive VERY well though and I have no complaints there. For me the advantage with the rack with struts would be having room to work on everything. Space is tight in my car.

By the way, what headers are in this pic?

-Dave

i'll try and post a pic of a k-frame I have with tubular lowers on it .
I have been thinking about switching from my bone stock set up for years just haven't yet.

Thank-you. I would appreciate that.

More room for the WIN!! .... appears PBR has "upgraded" for a lot of the same reason I did... ease of making things fit!



I will say, can handles a ton better than it did, easy to adjust front end... can even increase roll out by adjusting lca. Mike at Comp Chassis in Phoenix did this up for me.

I went with the Alterkation for my 67 Coronet. Was able to reuse my Wilwood brakes even though Wilwood competes for being one of the most slimeball companies on earth..............

Room is nice and it will spoil you real quick. This car I'm looking for a few other reasons to. Most tracks rules dictate a diaper on 8 second cars, adding the mega block weight on an already heavier A body, and fast footbrake cars need ways to slow down the hit on bottom bulb racing so adjust-ability is needed. Us 60 years olds like to make things easier when we work on our cars by ourselves AND on the floor. LOL

I was doing some reading on this set-up in the tech archives but it was an older post. Seems guys either love it or hate it but I'll try to dig up some newer info on this company. Having the Wilwood brakes already and being able to still use them would be a big help in keeping costs down.

I can tell you who not to go to, Don't go to High Speed Welding in Chicago they are clueless, don't go to Andy McCoy Chassis in Washington Mo. unless you want your front wheels to break off mid-track,