Posted By: mycreation68
Looking at buying a rodder project. - 09/28/08 10:37 AM
Hey guys. I'm looking at buying a 54 dodge regent for a project/driver. My ideal plans would be to buy a running 76-80 plymouth/dodge volare/aspen and steal the engine out for my currently disabled 84 ramcharger and use the rest in the 54. I checked the sizes and according to allpar the 54 is the same width as the volare/aspen. I can't find any photos of a 54 dodge's front frame but I've seen a few of a 49's so I think it should be pretty close?
As long as the frame is close I'm figureing I'll build some brackets to weld to the factory 54 frame so I can bolt the f body front k in. I'm assuming this will end up with a high ride height but I plan on driving the car this winter so it'll be fine until I redo it next summer and weld the kmember directly to the frame. I'll put the rear end in accordingly to the front ends height and figure that I'll use the same cars rear axle. I have a good slant 6 from a 1979 and a good trans from a 1968 dart, that I'll combine and I'll use the 68's stock driveshaft(made to proper length for the 54 of course)
That'll be the drivetrain and suspension, I'll custom bend brake and fuel lines and that should about do it for the cars mechanicals(I will install the proper master cylinder from the F-body) I figure just a simple guage install and rewire will work for me and I'll install just the necessary guages(speedo, tach, water temp, oil press, and a voltmeter) But only temporarily until I can get some money together for a proper rebuild on the stock guage cluster.
So I'm hoping some guys have some input on this project. I'm also looking at a 52 if the deal on the 54 doesn't turn out.
As long as the frame is close I'm figureing I'll build some brackets to weld to the factory 54 frame so I can bolt the f body front k in. I'm assuming this will end up with a high ride height but I plan on driving the car this winter so it'll be fine until I redo it next summer and weld the kmember directly to the frame. I'll put the rear end in accordingly to the front ends height and figure that I'll use the same cars rear axle. I have a good slant 6 from a 1979 and a good trans from a 1968 dart, that I'll combine and I'll use the 68's stock driveshaft(made to proper length for the 54 of course)
That'll be the drivetrain and suspension, I'll custom bend brake and fuel lines and that should about do it for the cars mechanicals(I will install the proper master cylinder from the F-body) I figure just a simple guage install and rewire will work for me and I'll install just the necessary guages(speedo, tach, water temp, oil press, and a voltmeter) But only temporarily until I can get some money together for a proper rebuild on the stock guage cluster.
So I'm hoping some guys have some input on this project. I'm also looking at a 52 if the deal on the 54 doesn't turn out.