1957 dodge truck frame transplant?

My dad has a very slow project ongoing:
1957 Dodge D100
The frame is solid, but we have run into a problem.
We have a 440 and automatic transmission in place, but I cannot see how we can make the steering work. The motor is right in the way and there is no way around it unless we completely redneck it. We have not touched the cab and we would prefer not to cut it up if possible.

Here is my first question: The frame is original with front leaf springs etc…..
Would I be better off at this point with a new frame to put the cab on? This way the 440 and the steering would work?

Here is the follow up question: If a new frame swap would be easier….what trucks would work the best?

I know of a 1982 dodge truck, long bed, 2wd.
Or….should I go with the Dakota frame instead?

We are at a crossroads where we could go many directions at this point.

Thanks

Eightlitermopar

Attached are the pictures of the truck as it sits right now....

another view

A 2 wheel drive Dakota front clip will work a lot better then a full size Dodge truck frame would. You will want to splice the Dakota frame to your existing frame just behind the transmission cross member, where the Dakota frame will slide right inside your existing frame. The Dakota frame steps up 6" behind the cab, your original frame is nearly flat behind the cab, swapping the whole Dakota frame will create issues for your box and its floor. The 88-90 Dakota has a 5 on 4 1/2" bolt pattern. The 91-96 Dakota has the 6 bolt wheels, but they are easily changed by swapping the rotors to the older 5 lug rotors. The 97- 20 something used a different frame with 6 lug wheels, changing to the 5 lug wheels is a major project. The frame after the 97- 20something frame was a different style frame and a suspension change, which will make it a completely different project. Gene

A few u-joints and a support to run the shaft next to the shock tower.

I'd suggest that you look into some of the engineered kits that use Mustang II based components. They are the most popular and, all things considered, not all that expensive. People do use the Dakota parts, but that's not as popular. The entire frame can be swapped, but that has issues of its own with cab mounts,etc.

mustang II are only barely adequate----mustang guys upgrade to granada components---hot rod guys know that their big block setups have too much power for the MII brakes---early dakota clip is the way to go.....

Hmmm....good thoughts here.

I could try the u-joint trick and see if that could work. That seems like it would be the least invasive....for now anyway.

Since I have never set up steering like this....does anyone have a site or resource they recommend for something like that (u-joints for steering)?

I am also keeping my eyes peeled for a cheap early Dakota if this plan does not work.

eightlitermopar

Flaming river, Morrison chassis, ART, They all have steering components.

Quote:

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mustang II are only barely adequate----mustang guys upgrade to granada components---hot rod guys know that their big block setups have too much power for the MII brakes---early dakota clip is the way to go.....

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I'm not sure where you are getting your information from.. The MII kits all seem to use an 11' rotor, which is pretty close to the 11.3 of the Dakota. The Granada spindles and brakes are a popular swap into 50's Fords using the original suspension, but nobody in their right mind would use a Granada suspension, which is like the early (pre-MustangII) with the unibody shock tower high spring mount. It would never work.

The advantage of the MII is that these kits have been out there for probably 25 years now and there are many reputable companies offering well thought out kits. They don't require butchering your frame and jerry rigging a front core support like a clip does
The MII kits are proven and popular.

Another swap that is becoming very popular is the Jaguar suspension. It is a bolt on unit on the late Jag and is supposedly pretty available and reasonable.

The Crown Vic (03 up) is another unit that is popular on the 50's Ford ickups, but seems to be a little wide, so you have to use the Crown Vic wheels.

People do use the Dakota clip, but it doesn't seem popular.

Clipping was a 70's and 80's thing. Latest builds seem to avoid it.