Thread: 47 Desoto build

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So after lurking around the different forums, doing a ton of reading Ive decided to start a build thread of my own. and I like this one the most the people here seem great and more accepting of the type of build I have planned. Im not new to builds or wrenching since Ive been a mechanic most of my adult life. but all my previous build have been jeeps or 4x4's. this will be my first hotrod build. what Im working with is a 47 Desoto I got from my brother. it came with no eng or tranny. Im building a 98 dodge 5.9 magnum with a 46re trans, Im keeping the fuel injection since I HATE carbs. I already swapped out the rearend for a 85 jag IRS, I fabbed up my own mounts out of some tube I had left over from the roll cage in my wife jeep. I changed the bolt pattern to 5x4 1/2 to match the front. set it up with about a 3" drop. in the front I installed a set of 89 aerostar springs also giving it a 3" drop. doing a disk swap using the explorer rotors and calipers with mounts I fabbed. still need to do the shock relocation. also swapping in a cavalier R&P. A gd friend just was given a wrecked Durango that he is keeping the Eng from. I looked and the power windows and latches will work really easy and there free so that's the plan as of now. Download36ResizedImage951345847200035.jpgDownload36ResizedImage951345847217988.jpg

Ill save more pics until I figure out how to reduce the size lol. I will try and post updates on a regular basis and welcome opinions and advice lol.

Not sure of the bump-steer problems you will encounter with the Cavalier r&p, but would think they would be substantial. Here's a glimpse of the geometry needed....
http://alcor.concordia.ca/~istih/fig-11.gif
You might consider using a front clip from an S10. The track is close to the same. It would give you a modern IFS, r&p steering and disc brakes.

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If you take care of the engineering details like the steering geometry as you go along it will be a nice project, one that's not seen often for sure. Looking forward to the build, and welcome to the forum! Hope you find what you need here.

Welcome to CHR. A friend of mine had one of these in H.S. BIG inside. Enjoy your stay and looking forward to your build.

well like ive said Ive built many jeeps and 4wd's so have some experience adapting steering and have never had any problems. I modeled my mounts after the kit that butchscoolstuff sells. Rack is mounted and geometry looks really gd. I love the looks of this car. Ive been taking lots of pics along the way. biggest thing slowing me down is my back Im a disabled vet and injured my back in Iraq. Im hoping to have it running by next sumner. I plan to drive the heck out of this and enjoy it.

First of all, welcome to CHR. Next, thanks for your service to our country! Last, what a cool project you have going on. You definitely don't see many of these being rebuilt anymore. I like your idea of using and reusing things you have too.

Very Nice!
Kurt

If that has the same suspension as my 51 dodge business coupe, they say the cavilier rack works great. I elected to graft a different susp on mine because it was cheaper. Looking at mine, I'd say the biggest improvement would be a upper shock bracket. They mounted them to the control arms. In other words the shock isn't doing much but moving up and down with the control arms. Plus disc brakes would help.

OK To save time I uploaded all the pics of the work Ive done to my garage

Im a believer in recycle parts were safty isn't a concern. second being a mechanic and fabricator I have a hard time buying something I can build, plus its more enjoyable to stand back and say I built that lol. didn't get much done today with Dr apt at VA hosp most the day. I did however score a bunch of 16 ga to use for my new firewall and floors. I love cl lol wife not so much

Originally Posted by 5.9desoto

OK To save time I uploaded all the pics of the work Ive done to my garage

Are you still planning to post pic's of your progress on the build thread? I hope so (hint, hint, hint)......

yes I am I spent a couple of hours yesterday resizing all the pics so that ?I can post them today since my back is really killing my I spend some time and post some while trying to keep them in order

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heres some pics of what I started with. Ill try and keep them in order

[ATTACH][ATTACH]20140218_163431_Android.jpg[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

wanted to change up the dash so pulled it and welded up the guage opening,and center. plan is to still use the chrome trim on it. Dolphin 3 3/8 gauges and new radio. all the needed controls will be in the lower panel still