gnoub1948 Posted February 22, 2009 Report Posted February 22, 2009 Wondering what some of you have used for modern suspension upgrades for a '48. Mine's a De Soto. I know the usual stuff is out there from Wiemers or Fatman. I'd really like something different although everything I like seems to be too wide. Has anyone used any C5 Corvette parts? I'd be interested in what you've done other than buying already made stuff. Thanks! Gary Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted February 22, 2009 Report Posted February 22, 2009 GM markets a car with these parts... Fatman..if you use their Mustang II setup you willhave to also use their front frame rails..so in reality you clipping..at the tune of 3000.00 less labor If you use the drop spindles you can use the relocated shock mounts and rack and pinion kit plus disc..cheaper faster setup that is very very nice.. If you use a donor clip..then you get what you transfer and yes all can be done if you have the time, equiptment or coins in your pocket... Quote
gnoub1948 Posted February 22, 2009 Author Report Posted February 22, 2009 Frankie 47: http://www.jimweimerrodgarage.com/ Quote
gnoub1948 Posted February 22, 2009 Author Report Posted February 22, 2009 Tim: Fatman dropped spindles? What donor cars would you suggest? Thanks! Gary Quote
Frank Elder Posted February 22, 2009 Report Posted February 22, 2009 Thanks, and Tim has used donor truck! Quote
Bingster Posted February 22, 2009 Report Posted February 22, 2009 Are you doing anything extreme to your '48 Desoto like eliminating the rear fender stainless trim pieces? I could use the right rear if you are. I have a '47 S-11. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted February 22, 2009 Report Posted February 22, 2009 truly for the work involved and such..the Fatman dropped spinles, shock mounts, disc brakes and R&P retrofit is by far the better route for a good solid dependable driver with increased handling and safety.. Donor clips...I have had a few people follow my footsteps using early Dakota clip...though I have not retrofitted to the P15/D24 chassis..I have done a couple 51/52 Plymouths..it is a constant path of change..do this you have to do that and so on...if you are experienced in this work go for it..easy to do just be prepared to follow the entire gamlet of items to change...if not..stick with the menu above...whatever you choose..the clip is almost always non reversal but the first listed process is. I do not like mix and match axles and wheel bolt patterns...majority of GM clips I have seen doen to early Plymouth are not set correcly for ride height of the chassis in profile to the body and or with the donor truck parts (S10 chassis)..you can tell from long and far that the vehicle has been altered and the looks you really want are truly gone from the car as the wheel openings and such look well...afterthought at best.. Quote
PatS.... Posted February 23, 2009 Report Posted February 23, 2009 Tim:Fatman dropped spindles? What donor cars would you suggest? Thanks! Gary The suspension that's on the car is independent A-frame suspension for which new parts are available for a complete. Add a disc brake kit, an upper shock mount bracket: www.rustyhope.com and dropped spindle: http://www.fatmanfab.com/ and you have a very stout, good suspension. Plydo has a rack and pinion mounting kit: http://www.plydo.com/ (send for the catalog) http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/techarticles/135_0501_1951_plymouth_suburban_wagon/index.html Quote
Frank Elder Posted February 23, 2009 Report Posted February 23, 2009 I like the suspension, except I'll be using the shock relocation kit in the future and more than likely Charlies spindles. I have heard good things about PS rack and pinion, but I would like to hear about manual R&P, with our big steering wheel it should work! Quote
gnoub1948 Posted February 23, 2009 Author Report Posted February 23, 2009 Bingster: Not sure if I'm keeping the trim or not. I'm leaning toward not keep them though. I'll let you know. My email address: gnoub51@gmail.com. Drop me your email address. Thanks! Gary Quote
gnoub1948 Posted February 23, 2009 Author Report Posted February 23, 2009 So, you guys are telling me I can keep the current suspension; add dropped spindles (with disc brakes?) and there's a rack and pinion set up available? That would be great since I really don't want to hack up the frame if I can help it. What about the rear end? I was thinking of Posie's super slide springs. But, I have not idea as to what rear end to use. Can you get a 440 in one of these things? Gary Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted February 23, 2009 Report Posted February 23, 2009 yep... search the forum using the search window at the top..rear end options listed out the yang..as for the 440..not a prob..I have one here with a 383/727, and all the above listed mods and 70 Cuda rear gear... Quote
moparjack44 Posted February 23, 2009 Report Posted February 23, 2009 I have 48 DeSoto 4 door. It has a Chevy Nova front clip, and a 70 Plymouth rear. I put a 392 Hemi in mine, so the 440 should be a snap. THIS IS HOW IT SITS WITH NOVA CLIP. Since this picture put air bags on rear to lower it a little. 392 HEMI .. HAD TO REMOVE COMPLE FRONT SHEET METAL TO INSTALL Jackie Quote
gnoub1948 Posted February 23, 2009 Author Report Posted February 23, 2009 Mopar Jack: Love the look of your car. What year Nova did you use? Did you have to shorten anything? More pics would be nice! Thanks! Gary Quote
moparjack44 Posted February 23, 2009 Report Posted February 23, 2009 Gary, when I bought the car, clip already done. It was probably mid 70's clip, as it does have disc brakes. I had a 81 Mirada clip I was going to use on a 48 Dodge I had just bought. Found the DeSoto that was much further along, so I bought the DeSoto and finished it, then sold the Dodge. Jackie Quote
gnoub1948 Posted March 3, 2009 Author Report Posted March 3, 2009 Has anyone used a PlyDo R & P mounting kit?? I've read a bunch of bad reports about them on other forums? Would love to see pics if available. Thanks! Gary Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 3, 2009 Report Posted March 3, 2009 was these bad reports having to do with the use of a power rack and pinion and mounting/connecting a pump to the original block..or by chance the maunal steering unit and the heavy feeling tires if running radials in conjunction with this setup...OR...room in mounting the rack and interference with the existing oil pan...there are a great many of these out there and till your post Ihave not heard adverse comments regardless of the situation..I have two of these setups myself..however I do not have a stock flattie in either... Quote
gnoub1948 Posted March 3, 2009 Author Report Posted March 3, 2009 I speak from inexperience. I was just looking around and saw some complaints. Makes no difference to me as long as the stuff works. Gary Quote
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