1940 desoto chassis swap??

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

 

what is the wheel base, and track width?...

 

i have no clue...i cant find anything on this year, i was hopin' someone on here would know

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

S-10 under a 40 Desoto??? Am I missing something?

 

are the sedans any different then the coupes?

 

interesting... post a picture if you can, aint seen no 40 desoto for a lifetime. keep on it.

 

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 -

 

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

 

it has the main frame and im going to guess its missing the suspension. The guy is pretty slow at getting me pics

 

im also going to ***ume then that they interchange with chrysler and dodge cars?

 

That makes two of us...???

 

I wish they would s**** all S-10 this stuff would just die.

 

in case you guys haven't noticed s10s are used under a LOT of stuff

 

Here's some pics for you.

 

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?

 

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/

 

wow this thread is turning out great!!! thanks everyone for the tips and even pics!!!

 

awesome, keep it going and keep posting!! even post updates here on the hamb so i can follow

 

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

 

The stock suspension is great if that's an option?

 

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!!!

 

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??

 

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:

 

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

 

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