52FargoMan Posted June 1, 2009 Report Posted June 1, 2009 Hello - I have a 1952 Fargo and I want to upgrade the suspension and steering. I read about the Volare swap, but am not wanting to move the firewall. I have noticed that some people on this list have done swaps using Dakota IFS, but mostly to cars. Can this be done to the Dodge trucks? What choices of engine will I have? Sorry, but I'm a "new to this" Dodge guy. I have lots of experience with trucks, just mostly chev and ford. Help a budding Mopar guy out please. Quote
48Dodger Posted June 1, 2009 Report Posted June 1, 2009 (edited) The biggest thing you will notice, is the lack of aftermarket support for the Dodge trucks. Otherwise, the knowledge here is as good or beats anything out there on the internet. We all spend time on other websites, but this is where your truck will be the most at home. lol. Bud is using a Dakota frame, but it involves replacing the orginal firewall with the Dakota's. I have yet to see a truck with the firewall that hasn't been moved, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been done. I was toying with the idea of moving the engine forward on a volare type front end, keeping the wheelbase the same, but the weight distrubution wasn't the best. So, I'm using a 92 Dakota firewall like Bud's. Welcome to the Forum and welcome to MOPAR! Here's a few links that might help. 48D http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=14259 http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=15472 http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=15710 http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=14699 http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=12306 http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=13524 Edited June 1, 2009 by 48dodger Quote
52FargoMan Posted June 1, 2009 Author Report Posted June 1, 2009 48D - thanks for the quick reply. I hope some others will join in as well. I like the challenge of little aftermarket support. Makes the ride that much more interesting... I had read some of those posts earlier. I don't think I want to use a Dakota frame. I just want to insert the IFS, much like the Volare swap (and like Tim Adams did with his car) keeping the rest of the frame original. Is that what you are doing, with the 92 Dakota firewall? Or are you using the whole frame? I assume the wheel width from Dakotas is the same as my 1/2 ton Fargo? I don't know the number. The whole idea of course is to keep it inexpensive (which is why I don't want to do with a Mustang II). I'm OK with substituting time for money. I'm practically retired... Thanks again Quote
Dave72dt Posted June 2, 2009 Report Posted June 2, 2009 One of the latest I'ver heard about was using rhe suspension out of a Aerostar van. It's basically a Mustang II style that's readily available in salvage yards. I don't know how the frames would match up as far as grafting the two together but all the components are there for a cut and weld. Spring rate is said to also be about right for use on one of these light pickups. Quote
smallblockjunkie Posted June 2, 2009 Report Posted June 2, 2009 fatman fab makes a mustang 2 frontend for these trucks, get it with standard shocks and springs coilovers or air bags. Quote
52FargoMan Posted June 2, 2009 Author Report Posted June 2, 2009 So - does anyone have specs on the Dakotas -'89-91? Specifically the width. Can it be used on the '52 Pilot Trucks? Quote
47 2 Door Coupe Posted June 2, 2009 Report Posted June 2, 2009 Greetings! I just stubbed my '47 Coupe with a Volare front end this past week end! Might drop me a line or give a call. I've got some pics that I can send too. Bruce mrhubcap@hotmail.com 505/268-0001 Quote
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