Re: IRS Rear axle ??
[Re: Sniper]
#3118412
02/02/23 08:43 PM
02/02/23 08:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,564 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,564
Freeport IL USA
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A few more things I would want to look into, in addition to the track width mentioned above.:
Being able to somewhat match the brake systems size front to rear would be a consideration. The Charger is a much larger car (there for assumed as heavier), it may have much larger brakes then the Dakota has, where the Cougar/Thunderbird, being older may have smaller brakes more like those on the Dakota.
Then the future availability of component parts is the next concern. With the Ford stuff being 90s stuff, will replacement parts be available in 10 years? The Charger is still being built, we know those parts will be around for another 10-20 years.
The wheel bolt pattern could also be a concern. I am assuming you have the 5 bolt Dakota front hubs. They have an American bolt pattern. I don't know if the Ford of that age is still American or metric, but I know the Charger is Metric. The bolt patterns are close, but not a direct match. I'm nor sure I would want to run the wheels that has the same bolt pattern on both the American and the metric bolt patterns.
As far as mounting the components, as long as the track with is close, you may end up building a rear frame section to support the independent suspension, but once past fabricating the entire system, it wouldn't be much different then splicing the front clip. Track width can be adjusted with an independent rear suspension by shortening or lengthening the outer drive axles, of course limitations are involved, and the suspension travel at the upper and lower extremes would be effected.
Fabricating the entire new rear subframe is a pretty big (read that as a major) undertaking though. If a "kit" is available (read all reviews available), I would deeply suggest the "kit" could make life much easier, regardless of who's rear suspension system it uses.
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Re: IRS Rear axle ??
[Re: poorboy]
#3118422
02/02/23 09:01 PM
02/02/23 09:01 PM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,258 nowhere
Sniper
master
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master
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,258
nowhere
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Going to have to adjust control arm lengths as well if you need that much track change.
The Charger IRS is pretty self contained in it's subframe, except the upper spring and shock mounts. Maybe a set of coil overs would sort both out into one mount.
Last edited by Sniper; 02/02/23 11:21 PM. Reason: new picture
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Re: IRS Rear axle ??
[Re: flyman]
#3118878
02/04/23 03:00 PM
02/04/23 03:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,813 Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,813
Rio Linda, CA
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The Charger specs say the rear track is 63.8" but the wheels are offset inward so the hub-to-hub is wider.
The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway
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Re: IRS Rear axle ??
[Re: flyman]
#3119078
02/05/23 01:50 PM
02/05/23 01:50 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,408 north of coder
moparx
"Butt Crack Bob"
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"Butt Crack Bob"
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,408
north of coder
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Moparx there is a outer hub that can be changed to make it a 4 1/2 " bolt pattern on the ford stuff. i didn't know that. what would that hub be from ? if i were doing an IRS, i would probably use the challenger unit and modify the width to fit, just due to the added torque that unit was designed for over the ford unit. but that's just me.
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