Howdy all. I'm looking at a decent 57 Dodge D100 pickup to have some fun with. It's already been "rodded" (if that's a word) a bit with an LA 318, 727 and 8 3/4 out of a 68 Coronet, but the front end is still stock. If I got it, I'd want to convert it to something a little more modern. I know they changed things in the 57 trucks and therefore the frame isn't the same as the 55 or 56. I saw a post on another site where someone put an Aspen/Volare front end in a 57 and said it looked goofy as it wasn't the right width for the 57. Anyone have any thougths or suggestions on what to go with? Would a Dakota frame or front stub work in this case? I want to keep the Mopar enigne, so if something would make this easier, that would be great. Maybe even step up to a big block later on.

So, whatcha thinkin'?

i know a couple of guys that used the aspen unit under 56 and 57 ford pickups---if you are lowering the truck you will need to carefully notch the truck frame on the bottom where the volare/aspen stuff is at----there should be pictures of it in hot rod magazines---on the dakota clip i used it on my 50 hudson with dakota drop spindles to get it back down to a more correct ride height----get your tape measure out so you can decide for yourself---on my hudson i am running police wheels and it all fits in there-----another idea that i have done twice is a jaguar XJ6 front and rear clip---the only down side is a rear steer rack that makes you set the motor back 1-2 inches more and a 4.75 pattern wheel studs--the plus side is jags have a good suspension design with good brakes and the rear gears are dana 44 positraction----bob

What is the intented final product?

Show truck with a lowered stance that can swap lanes at 75 on the freeway with the modern cars?

Long haul workhorse that will take a load, stop in time and won't beat you up?

What are your abilities and budget?

You can weld engine blocks and aluminum cans and have 10K for the front end?

You can fog a mirror with instructions and have 50 bucks in aluminum cans out back?

An 87-96 Dakota frame is 38" wide on the outside (I just measured). That 38" width starts just behind the front tires and continues to the rear of the frame. It does kick up behind the back of the cab, in front of the rear axle and remains at the height above the rear axle to the end of the frame. There is a raised cross member where the fuel tank sits, located in front of the rear frame kick up that is the same height as the rear frame kick up.

An 87-90 Dakota comes with 5 bolt 4 1/2" wheel pattern. A 91-96 have a 6 bolt 4 1/2' wheel pattern, that can be changed by replacing the parts with the older stuff. The newer Dakotas use different frames. Gene

Thanks for the info so far!

As far as what I want from the truck if I got it, I'm looking for a driver/cruise night car (or truck as the case may be). I'd take it to shows, but it doesn't have to be perfect. I like to drive my cars. I'd probably run some 15" rims with 60 series tires or somthing. Nothing crazy. I have other projects for that. I don't need it to be scraping the ground, but maybe a little lower in the front, or maybe a little lower all around.

For skills and budget, I have some skills and a small budget. I've done a little welding, but can always use some more practice, built an engine or two, redone suspensions, etc. I don't have a ton of extra cash, but can always save or sell some parts to get some more.

I guess I could just redo the stock suspension, try to drop it in the front, maybe add some discs, etc. Otherwise, I could try to find a late-model frame to fit it on or a stub that would work.

I like the mustang II style streetrod frontends alot, I have one under my race truck and have one under the 34 dodge roadster PU that I am doing right now, plenty of after market parts available for them(dropped spindles,bigger brakes,power racks).
but if you want to keep it all mopar, I would find a reasonably priced Dakota chassis and drop your truck on it and then you have a great modern chassis,steering and brakes.
its not that hard to make cab and bed mounts.
I have my 46 coe mounted on one and I have another one that will be going under a 47 dodge panel truck.

or you could just use the dakota front clip, just cut it off and graft it to yours Ron...

1. Buy a Street Rodder magazine.
2. Read the ads
3. Listen to your Uncle Ron.
4. IMHO, installing a MII derived suspension on the stock frame will get you on the road faster and they work.
5. Leave room for that 5.7 Hemi swap you'll be wanting to do next year!

R.

Go with a Dakota frame. You can splice the forward section of the dak frame with the rear 57 frame and get whatever height you want. This is what I did on my 57. I would be glad to answer any questions on how to do it on the cheap.

following along,,,,,, 57 are hard to find as are 37 plymouth trucks,,,ide take either,.,,