1941 Plymouth Special Deluxe

[chucksimonds30]

Hello Everybody,

    I would like to introduce myself and my newest vehicle. My name is Chuck 32 yrs old, turning 33 9/17 and I live in Quaker Hill, CT and have been in the local Hot Rod scene for the past 10 years or so. Currently I work for a Credit Union doing mortgage collections and am also a musician singing and playing alto and tenor sax. Married to my wonderful wife Becky going on 4 years Oct.3. Ok Ok Ok, enough of the little stuff, this past Sunday I loaded up my previous project a 1950 Buick Super and headed up to Gloversville, NY to look at the new project, a 1941 Plymouth Special Deluxe with a chevy 307 already installed, running and driving.

 

The Plymouth is in AMAZING shape and was well cared for thruout its life, solid as a rock with no rust on the car! All of the trim from the grill to the rear end in nicely wrapped and marked left and right side in the trunk. Once I saw the car I knew a deal had to be made and it was, I traded the Buick for the Plymouth straight up! Drove the Buick off the trailer and the Plymouth on the trailer and drove home.

 

Now, the car needs a few things and I was hoping I could enlist the help of all of you Mopar Guru's. As I said the car has a 307 installed with a turbo 350 auto trans, but it has the original rear end in it. I have heard of a few that can swap in very easily, Dakota, Explorer, Jeep, does anybody have any proof of that, maybe a few pictures?

 

The brakes are going to need the most immediate help as it seems that only the right side from wheel is catching at this point. My plan is to remove the dog house this weekend and check that all out and see what is causing this trouble. This winter I think I am going to install a Scarebird disc brake set-up with a dual master. I hope to hear from everybody real soon!

Cheers,

Chuck

[P15-D24]

Welcome to the site.

[Jim Yergin]

I installed an Explorer rear end in my '41 Plymouth. This is the thread about my installation:

http://p15-d24.com/topic/33266-question-on-explorer-rear-end-swap/?hl=rear

 

Jim Yergin

[james curl]

I have a 90 Dakota rear end installed in my 48 Plymouth, it has a 3.55:1 gear ratio which is better than the original which is 3.9:1.  It fit using the original wheels in the fenders without the tires rubbing.  I had to have the rear U joint replaced with a modern joint.  The rear end required the moving of the spring pads to fit the 48 spring width.  I set the spring pad angle to the center section the same as the stock rear end.  It has about 25000 miles on it now with out any problems.  I would check a late model  Drango for width and wheel bolt pattern and if they are compatible I would try to find one from an automatic equipped vehicle with the disc brakes.

[Mark D]

Welcome aboard from a Massachusetts member!

[chucksimonds30]

Thanks for the replies so far guys, I really appreciate it! Keep em coming the more knowledge the better.

Chuck

[William Davey]

I know the 87-91 Dakota differentials have the same 5 X4.5 bolt pattern as the stock wheels.  After 91 they went to 6 bolt wheels.  The v-6 Sport and all v-8 models had a stronger 8.25 ring gear in a lot of different ratios. The one I found measures 62.5 inches from wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface, I don't know if that width would work for you especially after you convert to front disc brakes.  I had excellent results using the Rustyhope disc kit that is built by forum  member Oldaddy.  He was very helpful with service after the sale.

[chucksimonds30]

Thanks for all of the advice! I also received an email from a guy who says that the 2nd Generation Camero/ TA rear ends are a direct bolt in, correct width and fits the original leaf springs. Anybody seen this?

Chuck

[Jim Yergin]

I don't know anything about the fit of the Camaro axle but I think it has a different wheel bolt pattern than the Plymouth (5 X 4.75 vs.5 X 4.5). Do you plan on keeping the Plymouth wheel bolt pattern on the front wheels? 

Jim Yergin

[Robert Horne]

I installed a 1995 Ranger rearend in my 38 Coupe.       I had to add 1 inch spacers to get the wheels out

 

to look good.      I have a 98 XJ Cherokee rearend for my 37 project that is alot better fit, and also has

 

the same wheel bolt pattern.

 

I helped my Uncle install a Nova rearend in his 36 Plymouth, and a disc brake front, so all the wheels

 

would have the Chevy bolt pattern....   He installed a 307 Chevy engine.....

[chucksimonds30]

Wow, if a 98 Jeep Cherokee rearend would fit in a 41 Plymouth that would be the cats PJ's!

Chuck

[knuckleharley]

Thanks for all of the advice! I also received an email from a guy who says that the 2nd Generation Camero/ TA rear ends are a direct bolt in, correct width and fits the original leaf springs. Anybody seen this?

Chuck

That's what I have in my 48 Plymouth coupe. I'm running the Camaro Rally rims and not the stock rims,though.