back halfers' inputs please

[Brad4406]

I should finally be moving into my home in a couple weeks and I plan to start working on the Barracuda immediately since I just spent almost a year and a half in Turkey without my car or my bikes. 

I will be running a ladder bar suspension w/ a diagonal link and coil over shocks.  So that I can maintain the original rear floor contour, I'm considering cutting off the rear frame rails and moving them in rather than buying a back half kit and having to redo the rear floor.  I will then tub it to where I move the frame rails into. 

I'd like the car to look fairly stock from the inside other than the cage and the tubs.  My plan is to maintian the rear seat by using a 6 point cage set-up like I had in my 440 powered '71 Duster. 

To prevent tweeking of the car once the rear frame rails are cut out, I could weld in my rear crossmember and frame connectors prior to cutting the rear frame rails out.

Is this a crazy idea?  What problems do you expect I will run into? 

Thank you in advance for your inputs.

[Blvedere]

I run a 71 Duser with ladder bars and didn't cut a thing.

[fasttcars]

how wide of a tire do you want to run?

[Ciscodog]

You can go out to a 14.5" section width with the stock frame rails.  Not sure if that's different on a Duster.  No floor modification required to run ladder bars. 

[Brad4406]

how wide of a tire do you want to run?

I'm thinking about 15" wide tires.  I guess I should have provided some extra information on what I'm building to justify my thoughts.  I will be installing a 500ci 440,  4-speed, and Dana 60.  I expect she is going to launch extremely hard so I expect I'm going to need as much tire as possible.  I remember when I was launching my '71 Duster with a moderately modified 440, 4-speed, Dana 60, and 10.5" slicks it liked to be launched at 5200 rpm, otherwise it would bog down out the gate.

I'm just afraid that after I go to all the bother of just moving the rear springs in and mini-tubbing that it won't be enough to hook.  That's why I figured I'd just back half it since I already have all the parts for doing it, except for the rear cross-member, as long as I cut out and re-use the existing rear frame rails.

[chryco]

Not enough tire ? There are 6 second cars running 10.5" tires . If you can`t hook with a 14/32/15 you`ve got big problems .

[Brad4406]

I run a 71 Duser with ladder bars and didn't cut a thing.

Yes, I understand that I don't need to cut anything to be able to run a ladder bar suspension.  That is why I mentioned that I planned to back half the car and wanted inputs from people that had already done this to their cars.  Thanks anyway.

[Brad4406]

There are 6 second cars running 10.5" tires.

Yes, but how many of those are running a full steel body w/ a stick?  I'm not trying to be a smart ass, I just remember how violent my launches were with the Duster compared to all my friends running lightened auto cars.  They were able to leave at a lot lower RPM and had no problems with hooking.

[scott]

I wouldn't waste my time moving the stock rails inn.
Your better off with a clip.
If you want the tire you need to do it the cleanest way.
Good luck on what you decide to do..

[Brad4406]

You can go out to a 14.5" section width with the stock frame rails.  Not sure if that's different on a Duster.  No floor modification required to run ladder bars. 

Good call on the 14.5"; I had forgotten there was that much room under there.  I may just try a 12" slick and rethink the back half after all.

[mopowers]

You should have plenty of room for a good size tire in your early A.  I have a 66 Dart and just with minitubbing and relocating the tires, there is room for a 325/50/15. 











I wanted something a little taller, so I moved the springs an inch back and so I ccould fit a 315/60/15, which has about a 13.5" section and 11" tread. Here it is with the taller tire:

[bigtimeauto]

Did somebody say mini tub with a 315/60 drag radial? i plan on running in the low 8's this summer.

[jackie]

first of all,let me say that Bob, man that is one very nice dart.... now brad, i guess since you want to keep your back seat, this car must see some street time..(not a race car).. a lot of people have and like mini-tubs.. and some look great..but some like the look of full tubs,big tires,and setting down lower.. it's your car, do it the way that you like the best.. i did mine and i like it a lot..if you do try it i would use new frame rails. good luck with YOUR car..

[Womanator]

How much differance is there launching a stick car at 5200 then launching a transbrake car at 5200 rpm?

[jackie]

Marv,you are right. auto. cars with transbrakes launch very hard. years ago i thought that you had to have Big tires to get the traction needed on high h.p. cars. some of the fastest cars, run on smaller tires..but the larger tires look good and that sometimes is what people want. when i wanted to backhalf  my car, some thought that should do it diff. but i knew what i wanted,and went for it. and i am glad i did..now i have a lot more room for even larger tires, but i will have to buy wider rims..now with that said ,who knows next time i might want something else. this stuff all looks hard at first,but do your homework,and it is not as hard as it seems.. i am glad every body wants something diff. or all of the cars would look alike..now boring would that be... happy motoring...jackie       PS. if you don't think small tires hook,go to your local drag strip and watch..they try to rip the tires off of the rims!!! man the street cars are getting fast..

[Womanator]

Jackie you are right I put a Duster together out of spare parts.The car has 9" hoosiers and the car has run 11.59 in the 1/4.

[blasphemous]

Does anyone have pictures of their ladder bar setup?

[PureGTS]

I'd expect to break alot of drive train parts with a stick. I mean, look, you're building a 500 CID mill wanting to get it spinning well into it's power band and heavy in the torque curve and then piss it off by releasing a clutch against that much juice?!?!? IF the u-joints hold, and the d-line doesn't pretzel and the trans holds together...  You better get yourself a bunch of neck protective gear. It's gonna hurt! 
  Me? I gave up on manuals. I love the shear violence of the launch, the banging through the gears, but my wallet couldn't keep up with the repairs so auto I went. My wallet is now secure and the driveline stays in the car now. And I've increased the output since the first broken axle by over 300 HP (no NOS here either).