Posted By: kissmyaspen
56 Dodge pickup front end - 10/23/12 04:53 PM
Should be picking up a new project soon.. wondered if any of you guys have put a mustange II front end in one or what they are doing..
Posted By: dogdays
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 10/23/12 05:55 PM
Let me be the first to say Dakota front frame swap.
Actually, the MII works great, you can buy every part on the aftermarket and it is plenty strong enough for a street rod pickup. But the sentiment here is "keep it Mopar" so the Dak frame wins.
Fatman Fabrications is a good place to start on front ends.
R.
Posted By: moparpollack
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 10/23/12 06:53 PM
I'm lazy, when I did the frame all the following was done: brake lines, master cylinder, disc brakes, rack and pinion, bed floor, fuel tank, and steering shaft.
Here's what I had to fab up to make it work: mate the steering shaft, move the motor back and make mounts cab, engine and transmission, hang a brake pedal.
It time to make a build thread for my pick up.
Posted By: kissmyaspen
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 10/23/12 09:21 PM
here is what im starting with
Posted By: moparpollack
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 10/23/12 09:33 PM
Posted By: savoy64
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 10/23/12 11:04 PM
i would vote for the dakota too----mustangII is just an ok front end----most racers will admit that MII can be overwhelmed by horse power---even the MII guys upgrade to granada stuff which also ranks behind the dakota---another front and rear clip to consider for a hot rod is Jaguar MK6---they are bolt off/weld back on setups with superior brakes--and the jag rear is a dana 44 which you can buy anything for--just ask the jeep guys....bob
Posted By: moparpollack
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 10/25/12 10:40 PM
Google search the Dakota wheel base and there should be three. Luckily the front tires to the back of the cab were the same on both trucks. The frames can be shortened but I didn't need to do that.
Posted By: kissmyaspen
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 10/30/12 02:00 PM
Posted By: moparpollack
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 10/30/12 11:25 PM
If you don't have a lift and your friend does you have a new best friend.
The Trucks come apart easily but the bodies get in the way until you scrap the unneeded stuff.
Posted By: moparpollack
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 10/31/12 02:43 AM
A newer Dakota looks funny on an old chassis DAMHIK. The guy at the scrap yard didn't like it either because they weren't bolted together.
My first measurement was from the back of the cab to the front wheel centerline. This helped me see how far back into the bed I was when moving cabs. Luckily on my Plymouth they were both 60". If possible work on the cab then the bed. My brakes and steering fell right into place afterward. If I had more info I could give it to you but there are quite a few pilot house builds on the HAMB.
Posted By: kissmyaspen
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 10/31/12 03:00 AM
Looking at a 93 dak. I figure get the cab on and center the front wheels in the wheel well and work from there.
Posted By: rattler
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 10/31/12 03:21 AM
You may have seen my 57. It sets on the forward half of an 88 Dak frame and the rear half is shortened, narrowed and boxed 57. You can set the ride height by how far down over the frame that you set the body.
Posted By: Twostick
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 11/04/12 09:12 PM
03 and newer Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/Towncar. Front clip/engine cradle is bolted in with 4 bolts. IIRC the frame width is 34"
Kevin
Posted By: poorboy
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 11/05/12 03:44 AM
Did I not read the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis subframe has a pretty wide tire track and needs modification for the tires to fit under the fenders of the 50s Dodge trucks? Gene
Posted By: Supercuda
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 11/05/12 03:59 AM
63.4 inches for the front track on the Merc/Vic
Posted By: Randy..
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 11/05/12 06:41 AM
just got a 56 about a month ago, i'm keeping the I Beam just made new spring pads and flipped the axle on top of the springs and doing a rear flip this week, will post pics in a day or two, yours looks better than mine.
Posted By: kissmyaspen
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 11/06/12 02:48 PM
hope to get a frame this weekend so i can start on this project soon.
Posted By: rattler
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 11/07/12 03:35 AM
Let us know how things go. If you have any questions about your build, please ask. I will ofer any help that I can.
Posted By: rattler
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 11/07/12 03:37 AM
This is a pic of the 88 Dak frame connected to the narrowed and shortened 57 frame.
Posted By: kissmyaspen
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 01/02/13 04:29 PM
well i have a 89 dakota frame all stripped down and ready to be cut and blasted.
Posted By: flyman
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 01/07/13 03:09 AM
I have a pretty god set of rear fenders for your progect if you are intrested.
Posted By: demon
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 01/23/13 03:31 PM
Nice frame! Those Dakota frames were made for shortening. And for the 48-60 Dodge trucks they have very similar engine placement. You can splice the Dakota floor and firewall right into the old cab. Or place the old cab on the new frame and move your cab mounts. You can also use the Dakota box floor and attach your stepside box sides. Dakotas are the ideal doner.
Posted By: kissmyaspen
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 01/23/13 08:19 PM
should be welded on friday... then its time to get the cab off the old frame and start fitting before the frame goes to get blasted.
Posted By: 300by500
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 02/03/13 04:56 AM
This is for sale locally and the wheelbase is only 9/10 of an inch shorter than a SWB Dakota. Wheels in my head are spinning....
Love the progress pics!
Posted By: rattler
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 02/04/13 12:29 AM
I saw that wagon too. I had to turn the page because I could start to here the project voices in my head.
Posted By: poorboy
Re: 56 Dodge pickup front end - 02/05/13 04:28 AM
I was 10 minutes too late to buy one of those about 15 years ago.
Good thing I'm broke these days, like I need another project at this time anyway.
That one sure looks good! Gene