46 Chrysler Business Coupe

[Shawn F.]

I was told to put this thread here and that I'd get more responses... I figured I'd just link it. Reason I am asking for chrysler information here is because I like these style forums better than the Yahoo one's from the Post War Heavy Metal site. I get confused on that site and this one is just easier for me to use.

Thanks for any help or information guys!

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?p=41140#post41140

[PatS....]

Welcome!!!

I guess it has turned out that if your Mopar has or had a flathead engine, this forum is the place to be.

Even have some Studebaker talk and some other OT stuff to keep it interesting.

Ask any questions you have and you are likely to get some very good responses.

[builtfercomfort]

I put a reply in the other thread - probably does not belong over there in Technical Archives.

[PatS....]

AAJ has a kit for rear disc brakes on the original rear end. If you use Caddy rear calipers, you get a better eBrake than original.

http://www.aajbrakes.bravepages.com/rearbrakes.html

There are newer Mopar rears that are a literal bolt-in replacement that forum members are using as well.

[Shawn F.]

Sounds great guys, thanks! What would you guys do here if you were me and wanted disks all around? Should I find a new rear end first and then upgrade the disks to that and then the front or keep the stock rear end? I have the 251 spitfire inline 6 flathead in the car and plan to keep that and fix it up very nicely. I want to get the thing running and brakes working first so I can at least drive it around then I will focus on suspension, interior and engine compartment.

[thedahmer]

Go with the Fatman front end kits-- best there is Bar NONE-- in the rear end if you are wanting disks- do with a mid-late 90's make sure it is an 8.8 ford explorer they are a perfect fit width wise here is a pic of the club coupe that was just finished in the shop-

[Shawn F.]

I'll take the advise on the rear end for sure. As for the front end I will keep it stock and do a disk upgrade. I don't care too much for the MII on a car like this with a flathead and no power. IMO it's not needed, also their prices are WAY too high even if I do have contacts up there (since they are only 30 minutes from my house). They are nice though but I'd rather put an MII on my 66 F100 that will be a daily driver instead of a stocker that is just a weekend cruiser.

[james curl]

Fatman makes a dropped spindle up right that replaces your old suspension up right and you install your spindle on it to lower the front 3". In the old days they would weld 3/8" straps to the lower A frame and raise the lower pivot point for the up right, then put an equall width spacer under the upper A arm mount. This was quite common back in the late 40's and early 50's. If you can find some of the old R&C's. Hop Up's, Honk and early Hot Rod annuals some of them have great details on how to do the front lowering. I believe it was Valley Custon that made a kit that just bolted in to do the lowering.

[Shawn F.]

Ok sounds good thanks. Now if I did the 3 inch drop I guess I can still use the aftermarket disk set ups with it too correct? I hear Fatmans does make those and also a rack and pinion steering setup too which I don't see any point in doing though. Someone told me that on some cars with uprights you can just swap and flip them and that will lower it in inch or two...??? A guy I know told me this and I heard it before on a Chevy site.

[Plymouthy Adams]

flip these..that way you can plow the field without need for the John Deere

[Shawn F.]

heh so flipping these would really drop it huh? We don't want that. I like the slammed in the weeds look on hot rods but not this classic.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I have the 3 inch drop spindles on my car..41 Dodge..it is very close to the ground as it is now..there is approximately 4 inches of road clearance at the outer tie rod ends....while not slammed, it displays a very nice rake to the car..mine is also a Business coupe....long live the big butts!!!!

[martybose]

Ok sounds good thanks. Now if I did the 3 inch drop I guess I can still use the aftermarket disk set ups with it too correct? I hear Fatmans does make those and also a rack and pinion steering setup too which I don't see any point in doing though. Someone told me that on some cars with uprights you can just swap and flip them and that will lower it in inch or two...??? A guy I know told me this and I heard it before on a Chevy site.

You have to use a disk brake setup with the Fatman dropped spindles. I made them work with stock drums, and wouldn't do it again if I had the choice!

Marty

[Shawn F.]

Any pictures of your bus. coupe with the drop?

[tankwilson]

and why would you not do it with the stock drums???

Thanks

[Shawn F.]

and why would you not do it with the stock drums???

Thanks

Are you talking about the drop kit with drum brakes? If so, the reason I don't want to do it on stock drums is because I want to upgrade to disk brakes. Also changing brakes later on wont be so expensive and such a pain to do. Thought I might as well be a bit safer and easier at the same time.

I have been away from these forums for quite some time and sorry for that guys. I have been so busy with a different job, side work, painting, college, etc and I haven't had any time for myself and my own vehicles. Now that christmas is over with and I spend all my money on everyone else, it's time I put money away for my Chrysler and get that running and brakes done on it by summer. I know I can get it running in a weekend but I wont be able to drive it because it needs all new brakes, lines, hoses, gas tank, tranny serviced, etc etc.

[martybose]

and why would you not do it with the stock drums???

Thanks

The Fatman kit tells you it should only be used with aftermarket disk brake kits. I put them on with the stock drums anyway and found that the backing plates hit the lower A-arm, causing you to about triple the cars turning radius. I wound up taking a grinder to the backing plates to cut holes in them to get back some of the steering, but it is still no where near what it was before the dropped spindles were installed.

There's a picture of my car in my profile showing how it looked with the dropped spindles and stock rear springs; since that picture was taken, I have put 1-1/2" lowering blocks on the rear to level it out again.

Marty