Thread: Volare Front Clip

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I have pretty much decided to go ahead and install a Volare front clip in my '39 Dodge D11. I know the Volare/Aspen front clip just "unbolts", and drops out complete. In the other cars, such as Diplomats, New Yorkers, Fifth Avenues, and so on, do they also unbolt, or do they have to be cut out?

My understanding is that they are all the same suspension unit and that they just unbolt.

I used a Volare front clip on my 37 Terraplane 10 years ago and I love it, handles an rides great, hope you have the same results. I also used a power rack from a Kcar

I know the New yorker doesn't, I'm pretty sure the Volare and Aspen are the only ones that come out in one piece complete. There is a guy here that put one under his '50 Studebaker pick-up and it's works great.

Thanks for the info guys. I plan on going to some junkyards between Christmas and New Years if the weather will allow, and look around some. Anybody with more info, please post, as all info is appreciated! Trent.

Ï have 75 or 77 ? Chrysler Cordoba and it appears to me the 4 bolts would allow the entire unit to drop out. Too bad it is rusted beyond practical use.

Trent good luck with the clip I would probley went that way but the 40 already was started the other and i liked the look . There is a yard 2 miles form my house who have a lot of volore and aspen clip as will as 79 thur 83 cordoba and monaco clips . Good luck Bud

Diplomats, New Yorker and Fifth Avenues also unbolt. Can't remember exactly, but seems all of them have a couple of plates that kind of wrap around the front fame section that also has to be removed to drop the clip out.

While your there, you'll also want to grab the steering shaft and coupler, if not the whole steering column.

Another hint that will help you a LOT when you get ready to install the front end is to take a couple of measurements some people forget about. Get the doner car (or one like it) on a piece of level concrete with a set of matching front tires on it. Measure the distance from the four mounting bolts pads to the ground.

If I remember correctly you're going to find that the fronts are a little higher than the rears. You'll want to keep this same relationship when you install the front end in order not to change the caster to the point where it can't be aligned when it's finished.

Measure the tread width as well.

I've heard that it's a bit wide for some early cars.

Look here. www.ford-trucks.com in the forums go to 48-60 ford truck forum. Click on reference threads, then on front suspension alternatives, then scroll to Volare. All you want to know is there.

Thanks again guys for all the helpful info, it is really appreciated.

Originally posted by Mike P
Diplomats, New Yorker and Fifth Avenues also unbolt. Can't remember exactly, but seems all of them have a couple of plates that kind of wrap around the front fame section that also has to be removed to drop the clip out.

While your there, you'll also want to grab the steering shaft and coupler, if not the whole steering column.

Another hint that will help you a LOT when you get ready to install the front end is to take a couple of measurements some people forget about. Get the doner car (or one like it) on a piece of level concrete with a set of matching front tires on it. Measure the distance from the four mounting bolts pads to the ground.

If I remember correctly you're going to find that the fronts are a little higher than the rears. You'll want to keep this same relationship when you install the front end in order not to change the caster to the point where it can't be aligned when it's finished.

I crawled under a car at the bank[when the guy came out I had to explane what I was doing] and found there is 1in. difference in the mounts heigth, I put mine in this way an the front end shop had no trouble aligning it up

Originally posted by dick lobach
I crawled under a car at the bank[when the guy came out I had to explane what I was doing] and found there is 1in. difference in the mounts heigth, I put mine in this way an the front end shop had no trouble aligning it up

I've done this too Dick, in the grocery store parking lot. I thought I was the only one who looked under stranger's cars

Confession is good for the soul !!!!! Could always have told the owner you were with Homeland Security and were checking for bombs, I guess !!!!

I pulled the original motor and tranny tonight. I think I read somewhere awhile back that you need about 20 inches of clearance in front of your axle center point for a Volare front to be installed. Anybody know anything about this? I do not have that much room in front of my axle center point without hitting sheet metal.