Thread: 1937 dodge

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hello everyone I'm new to this site and wanted to ask a few questions . I am currently working on a 1937 dodge 1/2 ton truck and want to know what front end conversions can be done . I don't want to use the mustang 2 . Is there any other conversations that can be done ? I am planning on putting a high horse power motor in it possibly the .030 bored /stroked and supercharged 360 I am building currently . And want to have a nice ride( possibly air ride ) independent front suspension and big brakes so that it can be safe also. This is my first old truck build and want to get everything before I start ripping it down. Any help or information would be appreciated .
Thanks again

What is the distance between the frame rails and how wide is the front tract? It might be possible to graft on a Dakota front end. One drawback to that is the 6 lug wheels.

Look at S10 and the Dakota or Durango frames. Dakota or Durango frame would most likely be the best depending on the width since of the mtr combo you want to use. Both are used a lot under all kinds of trucks & there are brake/suspension upgrades if you want or need them.
Also if you enjoy reading you could look through this post over on HAMB is a HUGE post of S10 and other frame swaps...joe

Welcome to the board.

There was a guy who posted a build thread on his 37 Dodge PU. He did a complete frame swap using an S10. As I recall he had to shorten and narrow the frame to get it to fit correctly. I suspect you would probably run into the same issues using a Dakota or Ram 50 frame but you never know until you do some measuring.

1937 Dodge Pickup

The track width on the 37s is pretty narrow and finding a front clip off something else may be a challenge. We have a guy who just joined with a 37 Dodge car that is currently also looking for front clip options (but not having that much luck so far).

1937 Dodge coupe

If you have a solid original frame currently under the truck, it is kind of hard to beat the Mustang II style suspension for it. You'll note I said style..... depending on how you order the kit and the upgrades you choose (I would personally recommend at a minimum going with larger rotors), by the time you're done, you can do a MII suspension without using a single Ford Part. Aftermarket rotors, calipers, control arms, rack, etc etc are all available for this suspension. From personal experience it's really a pretty decent option and fit for these old trucks.

My long term project also happens to be a 37 Dodge PU.....it just seems to keep getting pushed back to the end of the line on a regular basis (hopefully I can get back to it again sometime this year). If you interested here's the build thread I'm doing on it. Nothing special, 1st Gen Hemi, 518 and Dana 60.

Build thread 37 Dodge PU

again welcome and we love pictures.



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Originally Posted by NTFDAY

What is the distance between the frame rails and how wide is the front tract? It might be possible to graft on a Dakota front end. One drawback to that is the 6 lug wheels.

The '87 thru '92-ish Dakotas have 5x4.5 wheel pattern. From everything I've read, the 5 lug rotors are a direct swap onto the spindles of trucks with 6 lug rotors. You can even swap rotors from the 80's full-size Dodge with 5x5.5 bolt pattern onto these same Dakota spindles but you also have to use the calipers from the larger truck. After '96 the Dakota got wider.

You can spend a bunch of time trying to find a cludge solution or re-read Mike's post above until you appreciate all the advantages he enumerates............if you want an independent front suspension that gets the job done with the least negatives that advice is spot on .....

Yes I agree one of the only reasons I didn't want to use the mustang II front end is I want to try to keep the truck all dodge . I'm not a fan of mixing and matching .

Okay, if you're intent on drawing a tighter circle around yourself that's fine. For Dodge suspension adaption you won't find anyone more capable than Steve at Industrial Chassis; Dodge Dakota Based IFS

He doesn't show a pre-made kit on his site, but he's a fantastic fabricator and may have some insight for you....worth the contact.

Originally Posted by Musclermn

Yes I agree one of the only reasons I didn't want to use the mustang II front end is I want to try to keep the truck all dodge . I'm not a fan of mixing and matching .

Uncle Bob's giving you good advice, and the important piece that you may be missing is that the Mustang II or MII IFS is simply a STYLE or base design that defined a geometry approach that has been copied time and time again. Like Mike pointed out in his very informative post,

Originally Posted by Mike P

....by the time you're done, you can do a MII suspension without using a single Ford Part. Aftermarket rotors, calipers, control arms, rack, etc etc are all available for this suspension. From personal experience it's really a pretty decent option and fit for these old trucks.

That said, it's your project and if you want to be able to say it's "All Dodge" that's perfectly OK.

I just made an attempt to measure the frame rails on my 04 Dakota and these figures are approximations as it's hard to do laying on the floor and with no help. Around 42 inches at the front of the frame and somewhere around 31 inches at the firewall. Hope this helps. FWIW, my Dakota is the 4.7 with cruise, air, front disc, automatic,r&p steering, and gets close to 20 on the highway and 15 in town if I keep my foot out of it.

Hi, musclrmn. I am also new here, and have just started a 37 Dodge, mine is a coupe. I have been through all of the same stuff you are talking about, and, while I don't pretend to have the answer for you, here's what I have learned.
I also want to keep mine a dodge. I considered all sorts of engines and suspensions, including G1 hemi, 340, 360, and 440. I have decided tto go with a G3 efi hemi. There is a 2006 Charger srt8 in a salvage auction next week that I'm lusting for.
As for suspension, I'm not sure yet. One possibility that I looked at was a "Volare" clip. The Volare, Aspen, Cordoba, etc, all had k member assemblies with adjustable ifs suspension, all of which was held on with 4 bolts. Check it out. One problem is that the track width is a bit too wide. I may end up with a "mustang2" suspension, just because they will work, and fit. As was mentioned above, Fat Man or Height will sell you an asseambly without any Ford bits on it. Before I order it, though, I am going to look long and hard at this Charger donor car, and see if there is any way to fit the four wheel independant suspension in my coupe, partly because it's free, but partly because it is a modern tuned, matching suspension, and it would really work well, stop safely, and ride nice.
If you (or anyone else) wants to see some pics of a 37 panel truck with a 5.7 hemi installation, I can fix you up with the link. Have fun...
Glen

Originally Posted by Easyrider

.......If you (or anyone else) wants to see some pics of a 37 panel truck with a 5.7 hemi installation, I can fix you up with the link. Have fun...
Glen

Glen, you're like the carnival barker whispering to the teenage boys walking by, "Hey boys, wanna see some naked girls?" Heck yes we wanna see the pictures! !

Originally Posted by rspears

Glen, you're like the carnival barker whispering to the teenage boys walking by, "Hey boys, wanna see some naked girls?" Heck yes we wanna see the pictures! !

Ladies and gentlemen, step right up! Come watch the naked lady climb the greased pole...the higher she climbs, the more you can see of her...holy smokes folks! For ten cents, one tenth of a dollar, one thin dime...and so on, and so on...lol
Here's the link, I haven't figured out yet how to do pics from another site, and, anyway, there are too many pics for that. These are really good!
Schwartz Inc - Gallery - Trucks

Notice in the pics, the "Mustang 2" front suspension, and how nice it looks. Compact, tidy, and I'm betting it fits his track width perfectly. And, FWIW, I'm pretty sure there isn't a single part on it from FoMoCo, it's all custom, likely from Hortons Hot Rod Parts, in Ontario, Canada www.horton.on.ca and the crossmember was likely from Paul Hortons welder series www.welderseries.com
The truck was built for a guy at Hortons, by Schwartz, and everything is first class. I talked to the Hortons guy on the phone, and he was very informative and obliging. I may very well use the same ifs, but overall, I hope to use lots of stuff from my donor car, in an effort to keep the coupe "all Dodge", and to save lots of money! I hope someone finds this interesting...
Glen

Just a thought/bit of information for you. You will find the VIN number will be stamped on the outside for the drivers side frame rail ahead of the the center line of the front axle on the pickups and I suspect it's the same on the passenger cars. There should also be a VIN tag located on the fire wall (which should match). If you have to have it inspected to get it registered, some inspectors want to see the number on the frame as the tag on the firewall is just held on with sheet metal screws.

I bring this up because you really don't want to cover these up or grind them away when you're doing the front suspension.


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Originally Posted by Mike P

Just a thought/bit of information for you. You will find the VIN number will be stamped on the outside for the drivers side frame rail ahead of the the center line of the front axle on the pickups and I suspect it's the same on the passenger cars. There should also be a VIN tag located on the fire wall (which should match). If you have to have it inspected to get it registered, some inspectors want to see the number on the frame as the tag on the firewall is just held on with sheet metal screws.

I bring this up because you really don't want to cover these up or grind them away when you're doing the front suspension.


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When my Uncle and his buddies installed the hacktastic MII in my 40, they did exactly this. Cut out the area with the VIN was. I haven't seen it anywhere else on the frame yet so far.