Dakota Frame Swap basics
#2722719
12/09/19 10:40 AM
12/09/19 10:40 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,597 A Happy Place, A Happy Place, ...
57Plymouth
OP
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,597
A Happy Place, A Happy Place, ...
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I've been gone from Moparts for a long time. Now that I'm back, I see a lot of Dakota frame stubs being swapped into older chassis. It seems like this may be a legit idea for my 57 Savoy. What years are used for the Dakota swap? Would a Durango frame work as well? I have found a Durango locally for cheap that I'm buying a running 5.7 and transmission with wiring and computer to swap into my 57 Savoy. I think the deal is good at $400 and the engine is running. But should I just buy the whole car and cut the frame to put under my 57? I have a 59 Savoy parts car that I bought for the roof panel, but I may just use that frame as the donor for the rear half to put under my 57 body.
Thoughts?
Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit
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Re: Dakota Frame Swap basics
[Re: 57Plymouth]
#2722819
12/09/19 08:57 PM
12/09/19 08:57 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 237 British Columbia, Canada
Old Ray
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enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 237
British Columbia, Canada
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Bunch of info in here; more info hereIncluding the six bolt Dakota can be changed tp five bolt by replacing the brake rotors 5 lug Dakota were 1988 through 1990. 6 lug Dakotas started in 1991 and were present through the end of the truck line. The 1991 through 1996 Dakota 6 lug stuff could be swapped by simply buying the 5 lug rotors on the front, and replacing the axle shafts (same size axle, the different sizes do not interchange) & drums on the rear. There also was some info on: https://www.troxellsgarage.com/1956-plymouth-plaza.html but it's 404 now ?
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Re: Dakota Frame Swap basics
[Re: 57Plymouth]
#2722952
12/10/19 01:38 PM
12/10/19 01:38 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 237 British Columbia, Canada
Old Ray
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 237
British Columbia, Canada
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I have a 59 Savoy parts car that I bought for the roof panel, but I may just use that frame as the donor for the rear half to put under my 57 body. Thoughts? Gene knows, really knows, about these thing. I don't so: Are the '57 and '59 frame interchangeable, is the '57 frame damaged or just want to use the rear part of '59 rather than cutting the '57 frame? If the frames are the same I would transplant a Dakota stub frame on to the '59 frame and then install it under the '57. I hope that some of the info in the links have been beneficial. My '56 with Dakota and FI 318.
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Re: Dakota Frame Swap basics
[Re: Old Ray]
#2723061
12/10/19 07:00 PM
12/10/19 07:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,668 Caldwell, Idaho
67R/T4speeder
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,668
Caldwell, Idaho
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Bunch of info in here; more info hereIncluding the six bolt Dakota can be changed tp five bolt by replacing the brake rotors 5 lug Dakota were 1988 through 1990. 6 lug Dakotas started in 1991 and were present through the end of the truck line. The 1991 through 1996 Dakota 6 lug stuff could be swapped by simply buying the 5 lug rotors on the front, and replacing the axle shafts (same size axle, the different sizes do not interchange) & drums on the rear. There also was some info on: https://www.troxellsgarage.com/1956-plymouth-plaza.html but it's 404 now ? Thanks Old Ray for mentioning the Plazakota build, I hope it helps someone out. That was a fun project I was really excited about and spent allot of time doing for a customer who lost interest for another Mopar build, but Plazakta ended up in good hands and will live again.
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Re: Dakota Frame Swap basics
[Re: Old Ray]
#2723084
12/10/19 09:08 PM
12/10/19 09:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,558 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,558
Freeport IL USA
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I have a 59 Savoy parts car that I bought for the roof panel, but I may just use that frame as the donor for the rear half to put under my 57 body. Thoughts? Gene knows, really knows, about these thing. I don't so: Are the '57 and '59 frame interchangeable, is the '57 frame damaged or just want to use the rear part of '59 rather than cutting the '57 frame? If the frames are the same I would transplant a Dakota stub frame on to the '59 frame and then install it under the '57. I hope that some of the info in the links have been beneficial. My '56 with Dakota and FI 318. There are probably a lot more here that know the 57-59 cars better then me. I may have a heads up on the 88-96 Dakotas though. I believe the 57 and the 59 model years use the same frame (same wheelbase) on both the Dodge and the Plymouth cars with the exception of all the wagons, they are listed with a slightly longer wheel base. The 1957s were all new bodies, and the 1960s were all new bodies, so one might think some parts could interchange between the Dodge and the Plymouth. As far as the swapping the frame between the two cars listed above, I see little advantage unless one frame is in questionable condition, or the intent is to add a Dakota clip to the frame then swap the completed frame under the car. Before I would do that, I would see if I could get some frame dimensions for both frames and be sure they will swap with each other. I might make a note that if either 57-59 car has power steering, the steering box is a 3 year only fit and someone may need a steering box. Gene
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Re: Dakota Frame Swap basics
[Re: poorboy]
#2723444
12/12/19 01:05 PM
12/12/19 01:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,597 A Happy Place, A Happy Place, ...
57Plymouth
OP
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,597
A Happy Place, A Happy Place, ...
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The 57 and 59 frames interchange, but the 59 has different front suspension. The 59 is easier to adjust. However, my parts car has no front clip to speak of, so the front suspension is a rusty mess. I bought it just for the roof panel.
My 57 is not unique or magical, but it was purchased new by my great grandmother, and it was my first car in 1990. I'm emotionally attached to this garbage.
Anyway, long story short, I think it's easier and cheaper to just swap AAJ or Scarebird front disks in place, and do the 5.7 swap in place of the old Flattie six. This is a project that is way on the back burner since I have 2 other projects in line in front and the 57 runs and drives now. I have the chance to get a good deal on this engine and trans so I'm going to grab it and toss it in the corner for the time being.
Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit
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Re: Dakota Frame Swap basics
[Re: JDMopar]
#2723722
12/13/19 12:50 PM
12/13/19 12:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,597 A Happy Place, A Happy Place, ...
57Plymouth
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master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,597
A Happy Place, A Happy Place, ...
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I really want to keep the pushbuttons, so I don't really know what to do about a transmission. I have an A500 that I know will work but isn't ideal. I don't know. I'm going to get everything now and store it until I get started.
Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit
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