[GT532]

Hi Everyone, Bought my 68 convertible dart back in 1993 as a slant six, 904, 7 1/4. After one summer decided not to go for collectors and started swapping to small block, 4 speed, 8 3/4. drove it for another summer and then.......kids (3 of them!). Needless to say the car had been sitting since, but now the kids are old enough that I can get back to it, YAY.

Being "out of it" for this long, was hoping if anyone can help me along the way as so much has changed as to what's now available for mopars. Since this will probably be the "last one", I have now changed course to have all my wants in one car. The car has now been mini tubbed/diff shortened, frames connected, 4 speed and a 440 with 550 ft.lbs. on the dyno.

The car has just had all the required metal replaced and before taking it off the rotisserie, I want to convert the front end to disc brakes, new brake/fuel lines, replace all the bushings front and back) and install something in the back end to help it hook up! Can anyone tell me which supplier(s) to go with for the best quality/value and fit?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your time.

GT

 

[Jim_Lusk]

Lots of ways to achieve what you want. I prefer going the factory parts route (disc swap). Bigger t-bars and a sway bar are absolute necessities for a street car, too.

With that siad, I hope you installed your mini-tubs with flat tops, otherwise you'll never get the top to go down (that's the way a very famous 68 GTS convertible wound up).

 

[GT532]

Thanks Jim. Yes, the tubbs were installed with flat tops and have already checked to make sure top goes up and down.

If I take the units of a donor car, what kind of car (combination) would have everything that I need?

Thanks,

GT

 

[Jim_Lusk]

Disc brake setups can be found on most 73-76 A-bodies, all Aspens/Volares/Fifth Ave./Diplomat/Gran Fury....... You will need tubular upper control arms or original 73-76 upper control arms.

Those will be big bolt. Small bolt discs are also available, but used stuff is more expensive.

These cars can be made to handle with parts that are available now or with used factory parts, even with a big block.

 

[GT532]

Had an opportunity to look up a few vendors on the internet last night.....pretty overwhelming how many suppliers out there like MP, Just Suspension, PST, ect..

Is there anyone who BBD.com endorses (from experience) for complete suspension replacement and brake conversion kits?

Thanks

 

[Jim_Lusk]

Try Bill Rolik Enterprises for Spicer (reportedly made in the USA, I'll know more in a week or two) suspension rebuild parts. It has been reported that Moog is starting to outsource to Asia.

I have never used an aftermarket brake kit and likely won't start anytime soon. The factory parts are still readily available and are fine for 95% of the cars out there.

There are also aftermarket suspension kits from RMS (and others).

 

[kendog170]

I have never used an aftermarket brake kit and likely won't start anytime soon. The factory parts are still readily available and are fine for 95% of the cars out there.

]I agree with Jim. I put 1974 Duster assemblies on my K member with a HD Swaybar and it handles and stops awesome.

 

[jamesdart]

whats the budget? its getting pretty hard to find disc setups around here. you can buy new stock style kits though. like you noticed there are tons of vendors out there. give bill a shot for the stuff you need. he has acces to a lot of parts and has first hand experience of the quality of a lot of it. prices are competitive. i bought some flaiming river and moog stuff and afco balljoints from him. hellwig tube sway bars are really nice if you are looking for a sway bar. i try not to buy any MP junk. most of it is just rebadged and overpriced.

 

[GT532]

Thanks guys.

Jim, you mentioned bigger torsion bars. What diameter or car combination should I get?

This is a exert from an local ad:

I have a pair of A-body torsion bars for $ 80.
The part # 2535892 & 3 are 340 - .87" diameter.
These are for dart, duster, demon, barracuda.

Do these sound like the right ones?

Cheers,

GT

 

[Jim_Lusk]

Those are fine for a small block and even adequate with a big block (that what I used in my last 67 Barracuda fastback that I put a 383 into, but since I was selling the car I didn't spend money where I didn't have to).

My son's Dart (440/4sp) convertible has an old set of factory .890" big block bars with a factory big block sway bar. It also has sub-frame connectors and handles well enough to be fun to drive.

My Barracuda (440/727) will be getting the same suspension as my son's Dart.

My older son's Barracuda (383/4sp) fastback has 1.14" torsion bars, 1.25" front sway bar, .75" rear sway bar handles extremely well and the ride is not objectionable, at least to me.

My GTS (340/727) convertible has the stock suspension (.870" torsion bars, small block sway bar), no sub-frame connectors and feels softer than I would like, but all of the springs have 150,000 miles on them.

So, as you can see I like my cars to corner well. Others are fine with slant bars with their big blocks.

 

[GT532]

Where can one find the combination on your older son's Barracuda?

Thanks,

GT

 

[Jim_Lusk]

It's pretty much all aftermarket, although the torsion bars are Chrysler (Mopar Performance). I don't know if Quickor is still around, but Addco, Hotchkis, etc. sell sway bars.