cost putting subframe in older car? pictures of victim.

Well, dad has interests in the 41' plymouth and updating it is pretty mandatory though it was a daily driver. For the last 4 years, I haven't found anyone who could upgrade the frontend until now, and it only a few bits of work to do and not really what I wanted.

Trying to figure out what it would cost to just send oit out and get a clip job done. I'm either leaning towards a fatman sub kit or dakota clip. Minus the cost of parts, what would labor cost to add the assembly to the car? I would like to figure out a ball park price, and since it's not for another year, I can take my time to gather parts and not presure the guy to 'get-it-done' mode. I asked one shop locally, but they quoted me something like $20K for just a subframe and they could't do the work without 1/2 down! (shouldn't have showed up with my friend in a 1969 hemi roadrunner to their shop )).

So I'm looking at:

Subframe type of swap
ad a power brake assembly
modify inner sheetmetal for 360/at, locar floor shift and add motor mounts.
power steering, very nice since two other cars I have are heavy and manual steering (plus my dad is like 72 years young and had a broken arm).
Radiator is still undertermined.

Any info, suggestions, head shaking is welcome.

Here is some pics of the car. It's been sitting since I'm not very good with the 53' desoto overdrive the previous owner installed in it.

Nice, clean body.




minor surface rust in the trunk.



interior was completly redone when I bought it. Pardon the dust, it's been sitting for 4 years.





dash was pretty clean, even the stock radio was rebuilt. Headliner matches the interior.




hot rodded flathead. Probably would have used that if I could figure out how to put an automatic behind it.

How far are you from Mopar Ron?

I asked him a few years ago and was kindly told that he had a full list and wasn't able to do outside work at the time. Can't blame the guy, he has a lot of cars to make nice

Fair amount of work to do

Stripping all the parts off (Sheet metal, etc)

Thats about 10-15 hours give or take .

Measuring, getting set up to cut the old stuff off, 5-7 hours (crazy but, it takes time to get it right)

Then about 10-12 hours to fab,weld,etc the new stuff on (just the front stubb)

Brake lines, master cylinder would be another day of work roughly another 10 hours,

Motor mounts, trans fab, mock up ..another 10 hours , everything takes allot of time

50 hours roughly, could easy be 65 ..

@ $75.00 a hour x 50 hours ..I'd guess it right around $4000.00 to $5000.00 to do that stuff

Thats what I would "estimate" it at anyway but, then everyone always adds to the list and next thing you know, you are bidding a complete different job

example, it will need a new rear diff and some type of rear suspension too before you can run brake lines


I am sure there is a shop close to you that can perform the task for a fair price, should be easy to get someone to help

Here is how to put in an auto, if you still want to consider that way.
http://www.wilcap.com/chryslerfh.html

I don't know the local rod shops in that area, so I can't offer any place. How far are you from these guys?
http://www.gambinokustoms.com/

Bigdad gave you a pretty good breakdown, but as always, add at least 10 percent for the stuff that gets found during the work.

If someone says they want to narrow a GM subframe, keep looking.

Quote:

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Here is how to put in an auto, if you still want to consider that way.
http://www.wilcap.com/chryslerfh.html

I don't know the local rod shops in that area, so I can't offer any place. How far are you from these guys?
http://www.gambinokustoms.com/

Bigdad gave you a pretty good breakdown, but as always, add at least 10 percent for the stuff that gets found during the work.

If someone says they want to narrow a GM subframe, keep looking.

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John, you totally rock! I've been looking for a flathead auto conversion for years, and you just dump it right in my lap! I wanted to upgrade and do some rat rods with an auto, just didn't car if it was a dodge, chevy or toyota transmission (I draw the line at ford parts). The reason for the subframe swap was because of engine, suspension & trans clearance/mods needed to upgrade. I am going to take a look and see what I can do to the rod with this conversion.

Bigdad, around these parts, they charge $100-$125hr for custom work, thus not the best senario for me. I will probably have to ship the car out of the erea for a quality shop that knows mopars (most around here know chevy/ford cars and parts) and good work. I could deal with $5000 worth of labor costs, but I would feel safer with someone that is famiular withmopar parts/cars as my dad will be driving the rod more than I will.