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1940 desoto chassis swap??

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by punkabilly1306, Jul 14, 2009.

  1. punkabilly1306
    Joined: Aug 22, 2005
    Posts: 2,655

    punkabilly1306
    Member
    from ohio

    been searching like crazy lately to find any info on this year of car but with no luck. Not really that much on the hamb about desotos period :(
    could someone tell me what would be a good donor for a ch***is swap for this particular year? would a S-10 work?
    thanks
    bob
     
  2. dawg
    Joined: Mar 18, 2008
    Posts: 346

    dawg
    Member

    what is the wheel base, and track width?...
     
  3. punkabilly1306
    Joined: Aug 22, 2005
    Posts: 2,655

    punkabilly1306
    Member
    from ohio


    i have no clue...i cant find anything on this year, i was hopin' someone on here would know
     
  4. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 9,010

    RodStRace
    Member

    It needs to be measured, is the car there?
    BTW, here is stuff for 46-48 Mopars, Desoto included. The book doesn't cover 1940, sorry.
    http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=5304940&an=0&page=0#Post5304940

    Is the frame missing? If the Desoto is like a Chrysler or Plymouth (and it should be) do searches on those. The frame is strong, the IFS is decent with upgrades, brakes can be fitted, and the rear is parallel leafs, easy to attach a modern rear or upgrade to modern leafs. The frame already fits the body.
     
  5. per Krause "Standard Catalog of Chrysler 1914-2000":

    Series S-7: WB 122.5", overall length 208"
    Series S-7 LWB - WB 139.5" - and that's all they give you.

    Now a DeSoto is usually a Chrysler in a cheap suit, so I looked in that section, but it only has the same lack of data.

    That said, you might be able to shoehorn an extended cab S10 frame under it, I believe those have a 123" wheelbase, which is pretty darn close, so close you could drill new holes in the rear axle pad for the locator pin to move it rather than cut the factory welds on the frame to adjust it.

    This car though I would consider a clip on. Being a leaf rear that's easy to upgrade; the front IFS you can probably put discs on, but if you want buy parts anywhere peace of mind, an S10 or Dakota clip might make that easier.
     
  6. olddaddy
    Joined: Apr 17, 2004
    Posts: 322

    olddaddy
    Member

    The P15-D24 forum is a good place for this vintage Mopar info. The DeSoto shares parts with Chrysler and Dodge cars from about 39-48. As mentioned, the ifs is worth using if you add upper shock mounts and disc brakes. The original steering is ok if adjusted or rebuilt and good tie rod ends installed. All are available still through NAPA and similar outlets. If you must clip the frame, Volare/Aspen is best in my opinion, but at 30 + years old they will need, and cost more to rebuild than original. Unless you are going to a V6 or V8 the clip is a lot of work for little return over original. Shameless plug, I make shock arms and discs for this vintage mopar. Let me know if you need help with it.
     
  7. punkabilly1306
    Joined: Aug 22, 2005
    Posts: 2,655

    punkabilly1306
    Member
    from ohio

    well the problem is that the rear axle is gone from the car and i have no clue what the front suspension looks like (still waiting on pics)...so i was hoping that i could slap a whole new frame/suspension under the desoto body and just build new floors. Also i like the idea of having it so parts are readily available at my local parts stores. THANKS GUYS FOR THE REPSONSES
     
  8. plmczy
    Joined: Aug 3, 2001
    Posts: 2,408

    plmczy
    Member

    I'm currently working on a 1940 dodge tudor sedan. I bought the car already clipped with a 79 camaro/firebird sub. I installed a rearend from a 79 chrysler LeBaron using the stock leafs, you have to fab up shock plates and cut off the 79's spring perches and move them out a little. hope this helps some. later shawn
     
  9. tbraginton
    Joined: Dec 5, 2007
    Posts: 287

    tbraginton
    Member
    from Nevada

    S-10 under a 40 Desoto??? Am I missing something?
     
  10. punkabilly1306
    Joined: Aug 22, 2005
    Posts: 2,655

    punkabilly1306
    Member
    from ohio

    are the sedans any different then the coupes?
     
  11. onedge
    Joined: May 25, 2006
    Posts: 999

    onedge
    Member

    interesting... post a picture if you can, aint seen no 40 desoto for a lifetime. keep on it.
     
  12. Well, they have two doors and a shorter roof, but you probably knew that. The frames and floors are all the same for these cars -
     
  13. plmczy
    Joined: Aug 3, 2001
    Posts: 2,408

    plmczy
    Member

    I wouldn't think so, maybe a little shorter. Do you have a main frame and just missing suspension stuff or do you just have a body? later shawn
     
  14. punkabilly1306
    Joined: Aug 22, 2005
    Posts: 2,655

    punkabilly1306
    Member
    from ohio

    it has the main frame and im going to guess its missing the suspension. The guy is pretty slow at getting me pics
     
  15. punkabilly1306
    Joined: Aug 22, 2005
    Posts: 2,655

    punkabilly1306
    Member
    from ohio

    im also going to ***ume then that they interchange with chrysler and dodge cars?
     
  16. rick finch
    Joined: May 26, 2008
    Posts: 3,329

    rick finch
    Member

    That makes two of us...???
     
  17. Swifster
    Joined: Dec 16, 2006
    Posts: 1,455

    Swifster
    Member

    I wish they would s**** all S-10 this stuff would just die.
     
  18. punkabilly1306
    Joined: Aug 22, 2005
    Posts: 2,655

    punkabilly1306
    Member
    from ohio

    in case you guys haven't noticed s10s are used under a LOT of stuff
     
  19. plmczy
    Joined: Aug 3, 2001
    Posts: 2,408

    plmczy
    Member

    Here's some pics for you.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  20. tbraginton
    Joined: Dec 5, 2007
    Posts: 287

    tbraginton
    Member
    from Nevada

    Not trying to be another nay-sayer or RR flag waver. Just trying to figure out the situation at hand. I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that original stuff is either non-existent or way too expensive. It may not be the easiest solution but what about a box tube ch***is with whatever suspension goodies you want to run?
     
  21. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,722

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    I'm doing an 1987 Dakota ch***is, or partial ch***is, under a 1940 Dodge Coupe with a 440/727. Everything I've researched about the swap so far has been good, and keeps it all Chrysler if you're die-hard like that.

    I've collected everything I need now to get started, and this Thursday some buddies are coming over to play with sharp objects. ;)

    Not much yet but some stuff here:
    http://waywardgarage.com/category/my-cars/1940dodgecoupe/
     
  22. punkabilly1306
    Joined: Aug 22, 2005
    Posts: 2,655

    punkabilly1306
    Member
    from ohio

    wow this thread is turning out great!!! thanks everyone for the tips and even pics!!!
     
  23. punkabilly1306
    Joined: Aug 22, 2005
    Posts: 2,655

    punkabilly1306
    Member
    from ohio

    awesome, keep it going and keep posting!! even post updates here on the hamb so i can follow
     
  24. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 9,010

    RodStRace
    Member

    Hey Scott, good to see you over here! I have not seen your site before, nice!
    Here are some links to get you going.
    Service manual. This is a CD, they also have a book
    http://www.faxonautoliterature.com/product.cfm?p=12602&cs=products%2Ecfm%3Fvt%3D1007%26mk%3D6191%26yr%3D1940
    a cool project
    http://schaners.com/fargo/brakesinjection.htm
    Serial number guide for mopars
    http://www.t137.com/registry/help/partspages/SerialNumberGuide/index.html
    P-15 D-24 site has lots of good info
    http://www.merc583.addr.com/mopar/
    If you keep the flatty, these guys have some stuff
    http://www.vintagepowerwagons.com/products/featured-parts-catalog.htm
    Desoto modern build, not HAMB style, but good info and a DESOTO
    http://www.pacificautotronics.com/MOPAR/99DeSoto/
    The guy also was kind enough to host pics of my project, a 40 Plymouth
    http://www.pacificautotronics.com/MOPAR/hot 40/
    A 39 Plymouth build
    http://1939plymouth.com/index1.html
    Patch panels
    http://www.plymouthdoctor.com/
    Walter P Chrysler club should be a stop too
    http://www.chryslerclub.org/reproduction.html
    and since Scott, bigdad, MoparRon, crazymoparguy, myself and others are also over here, try this too
    http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=Rodder
     
  25. Crease
    Joined: May 7, 2002
    Posts: 2,878

    Crease
    Member

    The stock suspension is great if that's an option?
     
  26. punkabilly1306
    Joined: Aug 22, 2005
    Posts: 2,655

    punkabilly1306
    Member
    from ohio


    wow that is more then i could have ever hoped for!! its weird how an "off" brand like chrysler or plymouth even desoto has sooooo many patch panels and other stuff available for it, but for '49-51 mercs who have nothing!!!
     
  27. Shaggy
    Joined: Mar 6, 2003
    Posts: 5,207

    Shaggy
    Member
    from Sultan, WA

    there is a magic device called a tape measure, they are kinda cool, got numbers, and lines and stuff

    What's wrong with the stock frame, mopar so it's already parallel leave, just toss a 9", mopar, or olds rear in it, stiffer springs, new shocks, and call it better than new

    After all, why the **** would anyone want to put a car on a truck frame??
     
  28. 4woody
    Joined: Sep 4, 2002
    Posts: 2,110

    4woody
    Member

    Really no need to change the frame.

    Here's my 1938 Chrysler with revised sway bar & shock mounts, discs, rack & pinion, etc. all on the original front end:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG][​IMG]
     
  29. punkabilly1306
    Joined: Aug 22, 2005
    Posts: 2,655

    punkabilly1306
    Member
    from ohio

    its also called research before i buy smart ***...i dont have the car yet nore have i even seen it in person, only pics. So i want to make sure that if I do get it and the frame and suspension are ****ed I have readily available options...thanks again for your input
     
  30. Shaggy
    Joined: Mar 6, 2003
    Posts: 5,207

    Shaggy
    Member
    from Sultan, WA

    Sorry i did come across as way too much of an ***, so many people just figure the Hamb gods will rattle stuff outa their heads that they wont even make the slightest effort at physically measuring what is in their driveway

    I'll back off, i also aint a fan of frame swaps, should go right up there with Mustang 2 on '32's but it can be the easy way
     

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