So I spliced a 1987 Dakota front clip onto a 1957 Plymouth frame. I just got my frame back from power coat and reassembled the front suspension, loaded the engine and transmission in, and it looks like the hemi is a tad heavier than anticipated. I'm about three inches lower than expected. Anyone have experience getting custom front coils or air bags for a first gen Dakota???

So, is it because you welded the clip in too high or because the springs are too weak.

Cause airbags won't fix the first.

I am guessing you deal with a lot of stupid people in your life.
You have my sympathy.
Yes, it is due to the springs being too weak, and not due to the clip installed in the wrong position.

I deal with a lot of people who may or may not be stupid, but more of them are trying to do things they have no idea how to do.

So it helps to make sure where we are in a discussion before we go into it.

For custom coils, Espo Springs and Things are pretty good about making springs to spec and will work with you to figure out the specs.

http://www.springsnthings.com/index.htm

Airbags, dunno, I don't do airbags.

Wow! I'd love to learn more, I'm doing the same thing with my 58.
I built 2"spacers for my race truck but that's probably not a good idea for a heavy street car. Got any advice for my spice? Maybe some pics?

i am imagining you used a 4 cylinder dakota for the swap----budget fix--junkyard dakota v8 springs---i imagine original pickapart springs will run $70-----i would put those on and see where it sits----on my 50 hudson i used 2 inch drop spindles and cut one coil off the v8 springs and it sits at original height with a 750 lb motor....or if you are into just buying things and getting long distance advise then you are at the right spot....

I'd love to see some pictures too (I've kicked around changing the front suspension on my 57 from time to time).

You will also probably want to remember that new springs will also settle at least an inch or so during the first year.

Rockauto has pairs of v8 springs for less than $100.

R.

I used a 4 cylinder Dakota frame under my 57 truck, and when it was all back together, it sat too low. Like mentioned above, I got a set of V8 Dakota coils and it sets where it should now.

I would share some pics, but all my files are too large to run on this board.

So was it a 4 cylinder donor?

87 Had no V8 option, so it's either a 4 or V6 donor.

It was a V6.

Picture doesn't work, it says I need to create an account or sign in.

The V8 springs will probably bring it up a little, probably enough to be OK. I'd go for new replacement springs. Air bags should also be available, if you want to go that way. Gene

".... the hemi is a tad heavier than anticipated....."

Well there's your problem You could always put it on a diet

http://hothemiheads.com/cylinder_heads/aluminum_heads_street.html

Yeah there's about 3.500 reasons there are not a pair of those on mine too.

Thanks for the pictures....are you running a build thread anywhere? I would love to see some more detail. What engine and transmission are you going to be running? The trim looks like it's a Savoy?

On my 57 Plaza I went about as far as I could with the stock suspension (which really wasn't that much) NOSR Chrysler Windsor torsion bars, Imperial sway bar and AAJ disc brakes. Pretty much handles like a nose heavy 57 Plymouth

.

Thanks to everyone who has replied.
I have not been putting together a build thread. I really dont have the time to do a build thread right. If there is something you or anyone else wants to see I will dig through my pics and post it up. I bought a 6.1 hemi with the nag1 trans, wiring harness, gauge cluster, shifter, gas pedal, brake pedal assembly, steering column cluster, computers, exhaust back past the rear cats, and fuel tank with pump off ebay. It is all out of a 06 Chrysler 300 SRT. My original frame had some damage and keeps eating a-arm bushings among other things, so I figured I would try to address everything at once. This was my first car, purchased in 1984.

Here is a picture at the yard where I picked up a frame. The guys are trying to kill themselves/cut the frame loose.

Thanks for the pics and info, I'm going to run into some of the same hurdles as I'm doing a 90 dakota front clip, 5.7 nag1 from a 05 magnum. I might need to start a build thread.

Sweet ride

I am sure a build thread would be appreciated by others. There is more than one way to do just about everything. In a perfect world I would have built/bought a frame fixture table and probably done away with the factory frame all together. For a time, I considered doing a back half, which would have left so little left of the OEM frame I even started to consider a full tube spec chassis. At the time I was limited to a 20x20 garage that had to house the project, tools, hot water heater, and clothes dryer, in a neighborhood where driveway projects would not be tolerated. A lack of room, time, and money led to the path I chose. Your biggest decision will be how to locate and hole the portions of frame for attachment and welding. Again, a fixture table would be great. I went with measuring where the frame of the plymouth sat at ride height, and the same with the dakota stub. I then welded square tubing to the sections of frame to hold the heights and angles.