53 Plymouth wagon front suspension
#2876613
01/19/21 02:46 PM
01/19/21 02:46 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 860 lancaster,california
johnnycuda
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 860
lancaster,california
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Hey guys, pretty new to the earlier stuff, looking at a 53/54 2-dr wagon, it has the flathead 6 in it, would want to swap in a LA motor, have any of you swapped out the front suspension so it had disc brakes and P/S?, a Volare clip or a Dakota perhaps?
1970 'Cuda,Lime Light,499 Indy S/R's 10.70's @125,street driven ALOT! 1966 Barracuda 360,now a 5spd,Hemi Orange,Hot Rod Air, New daily driver-2003 Ram 2500 Cummins 5.9 '69 Valiant 2-dr, sleeper! New project---1938 Dodge truck, plan is a 360 with a A500, AC, Calvert rear susp., rack and pinion front with coils.
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Re: 53 Plymouth wagon front suspension
[Re: Old Ray]
#2876836
01/19/21 07:30 PM
01/19/21 07:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 860 lancaster,california
johnnycuda
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 860
lancaster,california
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Thanks, I'm going to go online to see if I can find front end tracking on both cars. I don't have the car anywhere near me and haven't decided for sure to purchase it, but had a 54 a while back and never got it on the road, sold it. The one I'm thinking about is bone stock and of course I would want to drop a V8 in it, maybe move the springs in on the rear for more tire.
1970 'Cuda,Lime Light,499 Indy S/R's 10.70's @125,street driven ALOT! 1966 Barracuda 360,now a 5spd,Hemi Orange,Hot Rod Air, New daily driver-2003 Ram 2500 Cummins 5.9 '69 Valiant 2-dr, sleeper! New project---1938 Dodge truck, plan is a 360 with a A500, AC, Calvert rear susp., rack and pinion front with coils.
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Re: 53 Plymouth wagon front suspension
[Re: Sniper]
#2876937
01/19/21 11:22 PM
01/19/21 11:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,588 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,588
Freeport IL USA
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I've done several Dakota full frame and front frame clips in my time. The best Dakota frames to use are the 1988 to 1996, but is getting pretty hard to find those frames that are still in good enough condition to make the frame swap worth the effort. Make no mistake, doing a frame or even a front clip swap is a lot of work.
If your current front suspension is complete and in good condition, I suggest you keep it and upgrade to the disc brakes, relocating the upper shock mount, a Jeep sway bar, and adding a steering rack. It will be easier, and can be done over a single winter if you have the parts lined up. Spend your effort on upgrading the rear end and the rear suspension. You will need to install a more modern rear axle because the 53/54 E brake was attached to the back of the trans you will be replacing, and the rear end will need to have the E brake many states require.
When your installing the LA motor, you will probably find the truck oil pan works best. I don't believe its much harder to install a 5.7 Hemi these days then it is to install an LA small block. I do also hope you will consider an EFI installation as well on which ever motor you go with. Gene
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Re: 53 Plymouth wagon front suspension
[Re: bigdad]
#2877458
01/20/21 06:28 PM
01/20/21 06:28 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 860 lancaster,california
johnnycuda
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 860
lancaster,california
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Thanks guys, I work at Calvert, so if I get this wagon, we will do a set of CalTracs and a mono springs for it, (a wider front hangar to do so of course), after looking at track widths, the Dakota and Volare are wider, so was thinking rack and pinion. I did not think about FatMan stuff, I will look into that. I already have a 360, so plan to use that, thanks for the heads up on the oil pan, going with a carb, trying to keep cost down as I can, plus I have carbs and honestly don't know much about EFI.
Gotta love the Moparts community, thanks again.
1970 'Cuda,Lime Light,499 Indy S/R's 10.70's @125,street driven ALOT! 1966 Barracuda 360,now a 5spd,Hemi Orange,Hot Rod Air, New daily driver-2003 Ram 2500 Cummins 5.9 '69 Valiant 2-dr, sleeper! New project---1938 Dodge truck, plan is a 360 with a A500, AC, Calvert rear susp., rack and pinion front with coils.
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Re: 53 Plymouth wagon front suspension
[Re: hkestes]
#2890073
02/18/21 02:03 PM
02/18/21 02:03 PM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,289 nowhere
Sniper
master
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master
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,289
nowhere
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A simple set of bolt on F1 shock mounts will solve the issue. Seems they make cast versions for those mounts and they might break, seen two or three. Forged ones, good to go though.
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Re: 53 Plymouth wagon front suspension
[Re: poorboy]
#2890522
02/19/21 02:14 PM
02/19/21 02:14 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 860 lancaster,california
johnnycuda
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 860
lancaster,california
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I think the wagon sold, it was in Lake Havasu, may be looking at a 37 Plymouth truck this week, stay tuned!, LOL
1970 'Cuda,Lime Light,499 Indy S/R's 10.70's @125,street driven ALOT! 1966 Barracuda 360,now a 5spd,Hemi Orange,Hot Rod Air, New daily driver-2003 Ram 2500 Cummins 5.9 '69 Valiant 2-dr, sleeper! New project---1938 Dodge truck, plan is a 360 with a A500, AC, Calvert rear susp., rack and pinion front with coils.
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