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Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2343454
07/26/17 01:15 AM
07/26/17 01:15 AM
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Rogue River, OR
Jeremiah Offline
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Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2343545
07/26/17 09:40 AM
07/26/17 09:40 AM
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Shelby Twp. Mi
HardcoreB Offline
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Originally Posted By AndyF
As far as I can tell if you have a 5 point (or 6 point) roll bar then the main hoop needs to be 1 3/4. That is good to 10.00.

The 8 point cage can be 1 5/8 mtl and is required if you get into the 9's.

The main hoop on this cage is 1 5/8 so I think I'm just going to cut the whole thing out and start over.

Any recommendations for a roll bar kit? I see that Jeg's has them, Art Morrison, Comp Engineering, etc. From what I can tell all of the kits are really crude with no fishmouthing on the tubes or anything like that. It is basically just a bunch of straight tubes in a box plus the main hoop. The rest is DIY.

I have put 2 of Chris Alston Chassisworks kits in A-bodies. I think they do a good job for a decent fit especially the main hoop AND side door-bar fit. I have helped install a Jeg's kit in an A-body...it fit poorly. It would be nice and package easier (save time with tin) if you had the rear bars bent to go thru the speaker package tray and weld them down near where a shock crossmember could be intersected. For future owner of course. Call BondoBob...I'd bet he would bend and pre-fit a cage and drop it in the mail..worth a call anyway.

Last edited by HardcoreB; 07/26/17 09:43 AM.
Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2343549
07/26/17 10:06 AM
07/26/17 10:06 AM
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Posts: 13,319
Marion, South Carolina [><]
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Marion, South Carolina [><]
Used a Chris Alston kit in my cuda. Fit pretty good. The chassis shop I used said those kits fit the best out of the pre bent kits you can buy.


CHIP
'70 hemicuda, 575" Hemi, 727, Dana 60
'69 road runner, 440-6, 18 spline 4 speed, Dana 60
'71 Demon, 340, low gear 904, 8.75
'73 Chrysler New Yorker, 440, 727, 8.75
'90 Chevy 454SS Silverado, 476" BBC, TH400, 14 bolt
'06 GMC 2500HD LBZ Duramax
Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2343587
07/26/17 11:16 AM
07/26/17 11:16 AM
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Las Vegas
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Las Vegas
I have use Alston CHassisworks kits in three A bodies. They fit decent but I had the rear bars bent to go through package tray, which required buying longer rear bars. Also had the front bars bent to better fit the door opening. My goal is to try and hide the cage as much as possible and I am fairly tall so I end up putting the main hoop back a ways too.


"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."

"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2343612
07/26/17 12:10 PM
07/26/17 12:10 PM
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Oregon
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Thanks guys, sounds like I'll give Alston a call. They are west coast so that helps. I called Art Morrison the other day but they kind of blew me off so I'll move on.

I think I'm going to get the car running first and then I'll worry about the rollbar after I've figured out some other things. I need to get the seat mounted and sort out the steering wheel placement and the dash and then I'll know where to put the new roll bar.

Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2343706
07/26/17 02:35 PM
07/26/17 02:35 PM
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Portage,michigan
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Buddy of nine has installed several S&W kits and likes them over anything else for A body.


69 Dart GTS A4 Silver All steel, flat factory hood, 3360race weight
418 BPE factory replacement headed stroker, 565 lift solid cam
Best so far, 10.40 @127 1/4
1.41 best 60 foot
6.60 at 103.90 1/8

Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2343779
07/26/17 05:40 PM
07/26/17 05:40 PM
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Posts: 1,768
Keymar, MD
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I used a 12 pt kit for my Duster back in 06 from Jegs. The 1st main hoop I got wasn't bend correctly. When laid flat on the garage floor the one side was 4"+ off the floor. I contacted them and they sent me another. It still wasn't perfect, but was workable. I got a 10 pt kit for my wife's falcon a few years ago from S&W and everything went together fairly well.

Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: B3422W5] #2343821
07/26/17 06:38 PM
07/26/17 06:38 PM
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Posts: 8,027
Mt Morris Michigan
mopar dave Offline
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I have a S&W kit in mine as well. Installer never complained.

Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: mopar dave] #2343844
07/26/17 07:09 PM
07/26/17 07:09 PM
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This car sits ready wit to me with a nice size tire at that. I would bet it to be an excellent starting platform for whom ever gets it.
Looking at the Coronet in the background, one may wonder what kind of animal that will be.

Last edited by fullmetaljacket; 07/26/17 07:21 PM.
Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2343991
07/26/17 11:42 PM
07/26/17 11:42 PM
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Finally got some stuff cleared out and blew away the cobwebs so I could shoot a picture of the interior. Like I said, this car is gutted!

I'm not going to put much back in the car. Pedals obviously and a steering column and the top part of the dash with the dash pad and the VIN. That is about it, bare bones.

Good thing is that it is fairly clean. No rust problems to speak off and nothing has been hit or tore up. Just a few extra holes in the firewall that people drilled over the years but that is not a big deal.

DSC_0987 (Large).JPG
Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2343994
07/26/17 11:47 PM
07/26/17 11:47 PM
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Oregon
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I need to figure out a steering column for this thing. I looked around and Jegs has a simple tube with bearings and a steering shaft. The shaft is set up for a quick release steering wheel on the driver side, can't really tell what is going on on the other end.

Anyone have a race type steering column that they used and liked? I'm guessing that I'll need to weld a Mopar spline adapter on to the box end then shorten the shaft to length and weld the quick release on the driver end?

I'll need turn signals but maybe I need to mount up an old time box on the column. I suppose you can still buy those old turn signal switch boxes.

Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2343996
07/26/17 11:55 PM
07/26/17 11:55 PM
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Mt. Vernon, Ohio
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Originally Posted By AndyF
I need to figure out a steering column for this thing. I looked around and Jegs has a simple tube with bearings and a steering shaft. The shaft is set up for a quick release steering wheel on the driver side, can't really tell what is going on on the other end.

Anyone have a race type steering column that they used and liked? I'm guessing that I'll need to weld a Mopar spline adapter on to the box end then shorten the shaft to length and weld the quick release on the driver end?

I'll need turn signals but maybe I need to mount up an old time box on the column. I suppose you can still buy those old turn signal switch boxes.
Andy, thats the same column kit I put in my car last winter and I like it, plenty of material to set the wheel where you want,also comes with a short piece of moly tube and a smooth bore universal so it can work with a rack and pinion steer, I also had to order the mopar spline universal to attach the column to the stock gear box, the steering wheel hub is the multi spline set-up and not the hex style. up


Light travels faster than the speed of sound,,,this is why some people seem bright untill you hear them speak.
Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2345293
07/29/17 03:10 PM
07/29/17 03:10 PM
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Oregon
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I was curious just what I was working with so I pulled out GG's book and decoded the fender tag.

1972 Duster with 225 engine and 3 speed manual with floor shift.
B1 paint code (Blue Sky) exterior with B5 (medium blue) interior
Bench seat, 2 watt AM radio with drip trough moldings

All of that I understand and can see evidence of here or there.

Then the interesting stuff:
A64 - Gold Duster package?
V4X - Black vinyl roof (Halo)?
V5X - Black body side moldings?

I do not see any evidence of the vinyl roof or the body side moldings so that stuff must have been taken off a long time ago and holes filled or something.

Might have been a nice looking car with the light blue paint and a black vinyl roof. I'll have to search around, I'm not sure I know what a Halo vinyl roof looks like but I'm sure I can find pictures.

Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2345294
07/29/17 03:12 PM
07/29/17 03:12 PM
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Bend,OR USA
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Halo = half (partial) of the top work
I've seen and possibly owned one as a parts car up

Last edited by Cab_Burge; 07/29/17 03:13 PM.

Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2345377
07/29/17 06:40 PM
07/29/17 06:40 PM
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Between a rock & a hard place
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Originally Posted By AndyF
Finally got some stuff cleared out and blew away the cobwebs so I could shoot a picture of the interior. Like I said, this car is gutted!

I'm not going to put much back in the car. Pedals obviously and a steering column and the top part of the dash with the dash pad and the VIN. That is about it, bare bones.

Good thing is that it is fairly clean. No rust problems to speak off and nothing has been hit or tore up. Just a few extra holes in the firewall that people drilled over the years but that is not a big deal.


It's so awesome starting with a clean base project. Seeing that pic makes me have "non-buyers" regret...

Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2345428
07/29/17 08:53 PM
07/29/17 08:53 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,454
Glendora Ca.
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With the dash and all the interior out of the car I would suggest you put a cage in the car, not just a roll bar. Then you could have more options.

Looks like a good excuse to buy a bender. I am sure you can find other parts to make with it.



"Just a Bracket car dressed up like a streetcar"
Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: cudadoug] #2345449
07/29/17 10:03 PM
07/29/17 10:03 PM
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Oregon
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It was a good deal at $4900 since it came with a bunch of spare parts. But I'm having fun working on it myself and I'm learning a bunch.

Since I didn't take the car apart it is a bit of an Easter Egg hunt putting it back together.

Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2345463
07/29/17 10:31 PM
07/29/17 10:31 PM
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fredericksburg,va
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If you don't mind me asking, how much do those digital scales cost, looking to invest in a set like it.
On the roll bar, I found out mine are too small, now ill have to do the full cage( 2 down bars and a halo) anyway they say it'll be better for resale.

Last edited by cudaman1969; 07/29/17 10:34 PM.
Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: AndyF] #2345475
07/29/17 11:06 PM
07/29/17 11:06 PM
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Posts: 8,027
Mt Morris Michigan
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Andy, just curious if you had any issues with your cross link bar hitting outer edges of your oil pan when turning the wheel?

Re: Starting to work on the Duster [Re: mopar dave] #2345553
07/30/17 02:34 AM
07/30/17 02:34 AM
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My digital scales set me back about $700 beans.

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