Moparts

1939 Dodge coupe

Posted By: farmboy70

1939 Dodge coupe - 08/17/14 03:59 PM

Hi
Thought I would share some pictures of a car that fell into my lap this week.
It is a 1939 dodge coupe.
Time to do a lot of reading for options on engine and suspension.
I spoke to a guy last night that has a 1937 wrecked coupe that wants to sell. It comes with a 37 sedan parts car and 340 with four speed I am looking at today.
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/17/14 04:01 PM

Posted By: DusterJeff

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/17/14 04:25 PM

Neat car..lots of potential....
Posted By: Supercuda

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/17/14 05:36 PM

Just remember the 37 has a solid front axle and the 39 does not.

If you are looking for a parts donor, then the 37 is probably not a good choice. Looking for another project then that's a neat ride.
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/17/14 05:50 PM

Hi
The 37 comes as a parts package, I am really wanting the 340 and four speed that is in the deal.
Probably going to sell off the 37 parts to fund the 39.
Dave
Posted By: fstfish66

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/19/14 08:08 AM

your 39 looks to be in decent shape,, 39 the first year of front IFS,, other then in 34 i think they gave it a whirl,,,,ford and GM of that ear still had a straight axel and truck style trailing arms,, A 341 would be great...but buying a 37 that has no useable parts to get it ???

im pretty sure 1939 and 40 front suspension are the same,, i have a 40 coupe,, 41 and up are different,,the lower control arms are the same 39 to 54,,,some of the suspension bushing are the same,,,lowers..all the same,,best up grade u can do are disc brakes,,,easy,,,,and move the upper shock mount from the control arm to the frame,, makes a world of difference,,I have a pair of NOS MOOOG upper control arms for the 1939/40 that are designed to look and work like the 1941 and up,,upper control arms,,feel free to ask,,,if i can help ide be glad too,,, i just did dropped up rights and new front coils,,, rack and pinion,,,on my 40 dodge

Attached picture 8245124-75%smaller.jpg
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/20/14 01:36 PM

Hi
Thanks for the responses.
I would like to hear more about the suspension disc brake and shock upgrade.
I should have been more clear on the 37 cars.

They are just basically scrap. Some usable parts for someone, I don't like to see anything scrapped before good parts are pulled.

The 340 was pulled after the accident and stored in the garage untouched.
I made a offer but no word yet from the owner.

Any links for the brake upgrade?
Dave
Posted By: High Impact

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/20/14 02:23 PM

I have a 37 that I maybe could use some parts for, depending what you end up with.

Keep me in mind...

Attached picture 8246309-2012-04-2619.49.38.jpg
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/20/14 05:12 PM

Quote:

I have a 37 that I maybe could use some parts for, depending what you end up with.

Keep me in mind...


If the deal happens I'll let you know.
Dave
Posted By: moparpollack

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/21/14 03:11 AM

Quote:

Hi
Thanks for the responses.
I would like to hear more about the suspension disc brake and shock upgrade.
I should have been more clear on the 37 cars.

They are just basically scrap. Some usable parts for someone, I don't like to see anything scrapped before good parts are pulled.

The 340 was pulled after the accident and stored in the garage untouched.
I made a offer but no word yet from the owner.

Any links for the brake upgrade?
Dave



Never under estimate if a car can be put back. We build two cars that most would have hauled across the scales. Crap make that four cars we need to stop working on junk.

The last street rodder had a car pulled out of a ravine and made into a show car.
Posted By: RTSrunner

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/22/14 06:37 AM

Quote:

Hi
Thanks for the responses.
I would like to hear more about the suspension disc brake and shock upgrade.
I should have been more clear on the 37 cars.

They are just basically scrap. Some usable parts for someone, I don't like to see anything scrapped before good parts are pulled.

The 340 was pulled after the accident and stored in the garage untouched.


I made a offer but no word yet from the owner.

Any links for the brake upgrade?
Dave





On the '37's how scrap is scrap?
Posted By: 6PKRTSE

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/22/14 02:54 PM

Nice cars. These 37'-39' era cars are really growing on me since a 40'-41' Willys is my favorite street rod but I will never be able to afford one of those.
Posted By: cuhemida

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/22/14 07:22 PM

Fstfish66 and I did the disc brakes change on my 1940 plymouth coupe made a big difference looking at doing powersteering this winter and power windows and like fstfish fell free to ask anything
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/23/14 12:28 AM

Quote:

Fstfish66 and I did the disc brakes change on my 1940 plymouth coupe made a big difference looking at doing powersteering this winter and power windows and like fstfish fell free to ask anything


Do you have a link on how this is done?
I will try to get with the guy on the 37 parts cars this weekend.
No word yet this week if he is willing to part with them.
Here is a better picture of my car .
Couldn't help my self ,had to install some wheels I had in storage.
Dave

Posted By: idriveagremlin

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/23/14 01:38 AM

My Dad built a 39 dodge sedan street rod in the early 80's and if I remember correctly he took an 8 3/4 rear end out of a early 70's satellite wagon and the leaf springs and all bolted right into the car!!
Posted By: AZ_A12_BEE

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/23/14 03:59 AM

Quote:

Nice cars. These 37'-39' era cars are really growing on me since a 40'-41' Willys is my favorite street rod but I will never be able to afford one of those.



I love my 37 Plymouth pickup, it will never be for sale as long as I'm alive, took me 30 years to find a good one that was affordable

Attached picture 8248915-image.jpg
Posted By: poorboy

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/23/14 04:07 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Hi
Thanks for the responses.
I would like to hear more about the suspension disc brake and shock upgrade.
I should have been more clear on the 37 cars.

They are just basically scrap. Some usable parts for someone, I don't like to see anything scrapped before good parts are pulled.

The 340 was pulled after the accident and stored in the garage untouched.


I made a offer but no word yet from the owner.

Any links for the brake upgrade?
Dave





On the '37's how scrap is scrap?




I took a 48 Plymouth that had rust holes on every flat surface the could hold water and stuck it on a Dakota chassis to resemble an old dirt track race car. I would love to do the same thing to a 35-38! My coupe has been on the road for 4 years now. Scrap is dependent on the abilities and ambition of the person in possession of the said scrap.
Before picture, this is the driver side floorboard, body mount and rocker, looking from the passenger side of the car. Gene

Attached picture 8248926-48coupe0017.jpg
Posted By: poorboy

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/23/14 04:09 AM

This is the car, sitting on the Dakota chassis, this picture is about 2 years old, the paint is more weathered (by nature). Gene

Attached picture 8248931-white&bluecoupe2.jpg
Posted By: poorboy

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/23/14 04:15 AM

The "new" floorboards, during reconstruction. Gene

Attached picture 8248933-48plymouth034.JPG
Posted By: Mopar Ron

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/24/14 12:08 AM

personally I am not a fan of the stock front suspension.
and the cost to upgrade to PS and disc brakes is pretty high.

I like the must II style front end for a low rod or with Gassers getting so popular a straight axle would be a cool way to build that car.

here are some Plymouths for ideas












Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/24/14 12:51 AM

Would a early Dakota frame be a good choice?
Dave
Posted By: moparpollack

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/24/14 04:19 AM

If a car is as wide as a 39 truck it will but wheels are very limited and ride height cannot be very low. If it was my project I would go mustang II since it easy to do.
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/24/14 05:16 AM

Who would be a good vender for a Mustang front suspension kit?
Dave
Posted By: Mopar Ron

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/24/14 07:17 AM

Quote:

Who would be a good vender for a Mustang front suspension kit?
Dave



Fat man fabrication makes a front stub but there site is kind of hard to find stuff on
what I found was a stub for around $1,100.00 which I feel is a bit high.
I do most of my own work and I put 2 rails out the front and use a mustang II cross member or one from ebay

on my Race truck I have a stock mustang cradle that I cut out of a 1976ish mustang and trimmed down and fitted it to a 80's toyota PU frame rails.

you can get after market cross members on ebay but you will still need some kind of frame rails sticking out front to hook it to.

you might want to check out measurements of a stock Dakota chassis and see how wide they are, just remember the stock wheel are inboarded quite a bit.

here is the thread on my truck
https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...e=3&fpart=1


so with all that being said I sure don't know what would be the best way to go with your car.
it would all depend on how you feel about fabrication work and how much of it you can do..
Posted By: fstfish66

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/24/14 07:24 AM

DAVE I pm,ed u,,
Posted By: fstfish66

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/24/14 07:41 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Fstfish66 and I did the disc brakes change on my 1940 plymouth coupe made a big difference looking at doing powersteering this winter and power windows and like fstfish fell free to ask anything


Do you have a link on how this is done?
I will try to get with the guy on the 37 parts cars this weekend.
No word yet this week if he is willing to part with them.
Here is a better picture of my car .
Couldn't help my self ,had to install some wheels I had in storage.
Dave





looks good
Posted By: fstfish66

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/24/14 07:54 AM

Quote:

Who would be a good vender for a Mustang front suspension kit?
Dave



on a 39/40 u have to chop off the frame at the fire wall and install a stub to install a mustang front suspension,,,these 39 40 front suspensions are just as good,, u need to convert to disc brakes and rack and pinion steering,,and move the upper shock mount to the frame,,

only drawl back is,, if your factory stuff is in need of a rebuild,,depending what you need to replace,,, both set ups will cost the same if you can do the work,,,,
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/24/14 09:01 PM

Brought the 340 home today.
The engine is a 1970 with a 69 a body trans.
The owner is letting me bring it to my shop to tear down and inspect before I buy it.
I did notice that the right engine mount ear is broken.
Dave


Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/24/14 09:02 PM

Posted By: crowbait

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/25/14 06:29 AM

Dave

Can I get a vin check on the engine and trans?My 70 swinger is missing its original 340 and 4 spd.
Probably a long shot.

Thanks
Tom
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/25/14 01:33 PM

Hi Tom
No problem, I will get it cleaned up today and get back to you.
I was thinking I should post the numbers in the lost and found section also.
I am not married to the idea of the 340 and if it would connect to the original car that would be good also.
Dave
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/25/14 03:23 PM

Here are the numbers.
Engine 0b251871
Trans LM23P9B133634
Trans number's are very lite and difficult to read.
That is my best guess at this time.
Dave
Posted By: poorboy

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/26/14 03:39 AM

So, do you have pictures of the 37?

The last 39 Plymouth I had, I did the disc brake conversion and the Caviler rack & pinion. I didn't get around to doing the upper shock relocate before someone needed the car much more then I did (I had to put a motor in my work truck at that time). I also did a 39 with a Dakota front clip, but I didn't get that one done either, before it went down the road (I'm seeing a growing pattern here. )
I have, however completed a Dakota swap on a 48 Plymouth, and my current car has the full Dakota frame under it.

The wheels on a Dakota (87-90 are 5 bolt wheels, 91-96 can have the 6 bolt wheels changed to 5 bolt by just swapping the 5 bolt parts, swapping to 5 bolt wheels on the 97 & newer is not an easy task) are factory inset by about 2" compared to the old style wheels, and I believe the Dakota has a 60" track. That puts the stock offset Dakota wheels close to the fender edge. If you intend on slamming it to the ground, I suspect the tires will rub the fenders, or be very close. At normal ride height, everything should be OK.
With the Dakota, just like any time you change the frame, you will need to fabricate a radiator support for your 39.

Between the Dakota and the upgraded original frame, if your original frame and suspension is in good condition, its tough to beat the original frame, and I suspect the final cost is going to be about the same money spent. To do it right, any way you go, should have new brakes, rebuilt suspension, new shocks, and rebuilt steering box/rack.

I've not ever done a Mustang II front end, and the money spent is about the same. Gene
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/26/14 04:37 AM

Hi
I talked to the owner of the cars and we set a price depending on the condition of the 340.
I took it apart tonight and it is in bad shape.
Badly rusted cylinder walls and bad pistons.
I will be talking to him soon about redoing the pricing of the cars and engine.
He has three 1988 gmc trucks, one caravan, and the two 37's and a 50's chevy truck in the deal with the 340 and trans.
If I purchase any or all of these I will post pictures.
I am leaning to the Mustang parts as of now.
Once I get the body off the frame I will have a better idea of what I have to work with.
The frame on my car looks good but a better inspection with the body off will help me decide.
Probably try to reach him tomorrow.
Dave
Posted By: fstfish66

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/28/14 04:58 AM

Quote:

Brought the 340 home today.
The engine is a 1970 with a 69 a body trans.
The owner is letting me bring it to my shop to tear down and inspect before I buy it.
I did notice that the right engine mount ear is broken.
Dave






looks like you will have to use a motor plate to mount the 340
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 08/30/14 03:59 AM

Here are a few pictures of the parts cars. I made a offer on the lot today and the owner wants to think about it and will get back to me soon .
Dave

Posted By: poorboy

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 09/02/14 04:27 AM

I'd love to have that coupe body (the one on the left in the 1st picture) if the price is right. Gene
Posted By: fstfish66

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 09/02/14 04:28 AM

Quote:

Here are a few pictures of the parts cars. I made a offer on the lot today and the owner wants to think about it and will get back to me soon .
Dave





wow the coupe looks like a 37/38...shame to let it rot
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 09/06/14 05:44 PM

Hi
Still no word on the cars ,I will try to see him today.
We got the body off the frame this week.
Frame looks good overall.
Dave

Posted By: moparpollack

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 09/06/14 07:54 PM

Quote:

Hi
Still no word on the cars ,I will try to see him today.
We got the body off the frame this week.
Frame looks good overall.
Dave





Taking your time on this one!
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 09/06/14 08:13 PM

LOL
I had a little advantage as nothing was attached when I got it so disassemble was real easy!

We happened to have a rack we used to paint a jet ski already made to cut down for the body so that went well also.

I talked to the owner of the parts cars and was able to strike up a deal.
I will be bringing them home on Monday if the weather is good.
Dave
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 09/09/14 03:06 AM

Hi
Brought the parts cars home tonight, man are they bad!
The coupe actually broke in half getting it out.
The sedan has a decent front clip.
The chevy truck is real bad also.
The coupe does have a 8 3/4 under it and some trim.
Dave


Posted By: moparx

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 09/10/14 02:45 AM

the body of my humpback was real close to the condition of that coupe. the frame was pretty good though.[it went to live in nebraska]. there still appear to be a few salvageable parts though.
Posted By: fstfish66

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 09/10/14 07:10 AM

Quote:

Hi
Brought the parts cars home tonight, man are they bad!
The coupe actually broke in half getting it out.
The sedan has a decent front clip.
The chevy truck is real bad also.
The coupe does have a 8 3/4 under it and some trim.
Dave





//
wooow that sucks,,,is the trunk lid sellable??people always looking for those,,,

is your 39 a vent window car or no?? ive seen a few 39/40 with no vent windows from the factory,,
Posted By: farmboy70

Re: 1939 Dodge coupe - 09/10/14 01:48 PM

Hi
I worked on stripping the chevy truck and coupe bodys last night.
I was able to save the tail lights from the coupe and checked out the deck lid.
It is rusted out all around the inside and full of filler on the outside.
Not much else is good.
Though the 8 3/4 is from a e body and is a 323 suregrip.
The rest is going to scrap yard today.
I still have the sedan body to pick a part .
My 39 has vent windows.
Dave
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