Thread: Front suspension help

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I posted this on another forum and everybody said to keep it stock so I'd like other opinions. I'm building a budget hot rod, 1951 Dodge business coupe. I want a budget route on the front susp if I can. I found a 78 Z28 front subframe. Track width on it is 60 in, mine is around 56. Now with what I got, the gear box and the steering linkage is going to be in the way. In pics it looks like the frt tires are tucked under pretty good, mines apart, and I'm going to run a 215/75/ 15, on a 5.5 or 6in wheel. I'll probably go with a 8.5 10 bolt or a 8.8 explorer rear end. I just want a good driving cruiser that handles well. Give me your opinions.

As I said on another thread on the same subject, I've seen more of these swaps done wrong then I've seen done right.... You said the track width is too wide, this really limits wheels selection as well as the overall look of the car and the fact that the steering box and linkage is in the way. Add to this the challenge of getting the stub rails put on straight, at the correct ride height, and properly reinforced along with relocating all the front end and radiator support mounts and fabbing some inner fenderwells that will fit and look good............ Absolutely nothing wrong with being on a budget, but being on a budget and sacrificing the quality of the project IMO isn't a good trade off. The front stub you have is a '78, so you should also plan on new springs, shocks, bushings, bearings, and seals on everything as well as steering components, tie rod ends, etc. When you add up all the incidentals and allow a modest amount for your time the savings isn't really all that great anyway...... There's no time limit on doing a project, I've learned that a bit of patience and some more time saving up some $$$$$$ to get the pieces I really want pays a huge dividend in having a project that when done looks right, rides right, stops and turns safely!!!!!! I'm not saying that grafting a 'maro subframe on the car can't be done right, just wondering if in the end the savings are really there?????

If I used what's there, do you know what the cost of the Fatman rack and pinion is? Someone mentioned using it and someone else said something about changing the upper shock mounts. I found disc brake set up. Can't find the rack on his web site.

How about some pics of your existing front suspension? Easier for guys to make a suggestion about what will or won't work when they can look at what's there to work with....

Nothing wrong w/the stock suspension & almost bullet proof.
Best this is to rebuild it & add disc brakes to it.
Here's a LINK talking about a 50 dodge..joe