I have a 1931 plymouth pa rumble seat coupe.That I am looking for ideas on reworking the stock frame and inproving the suspension.The pa has semi elliptic springs both front and rear with a doubledrop(kick)over the front I beam and rear axle with hydraulic breaks.Want to build traditional style car no fenders open engine. Maybe run air suspension for a good ride. any ideas? If anyone has pictures of this style hot rod please post info and ideas on this car is hard to find thanks Joe
If you're running without fenders, bags or MII will look way out of place. Most Mopars after '39 (and some in '37 and '38?) came with IFS, try DeSoto, Chrysler, Dodge, in addition to Plymouth.
If the look of a traditional Model A or 32 Ford style suspension is what you're after then go for it. Now if the ride of say and IFS or bags is the objective.........I would agree that you need to aim for a later model.
"Improving" in what way? Lowering, smoothing it out, cutting down the bounce? I'm assuming it's got the original springs on it that were set up to work on 1931 roads. Some would argue that parallel leafs on all four corners is one of the best setups going provided the springs are in good condition and you would probably want to add some shocks. Eaton Spring in Detroit is a good resource for reproduction springs that will no doubt vastly improve your ride. I don't see how you could build that era of car with air bags on four corners and have it look "right" As already stated, going to independent suspension on a fenderless rod is typically not a good idea asthetically. Not sure what else you had in mind but there are plenty of ways to get it a bit lower without major surgery if the rest of what you have to work with on the car is good.
Forget the bags and IFS, and go to a traditional set up. If I remember riight the 31's don't have a lot of fender metal up front so the IFS and/or bags will look real funny even with fenders. I have a full fendered 34 Sedan and I can get away with an IFS because nothing shows. If I were to go to fenderless, than the IFS would have to go as well. There are new systems available to make your ride more comfortable, safe and still maintain the period look.
I would like to inprove the stance and up grade the 1931 suspension,(lower the car and inprove the handling).I came acrossed a article by Doc Frohmader on rear suspension on vintage mopars,it was a triangulated four bar set upwith air ride techonologies looked interesting .I got the Tex Smith book on how to build mopar/plymouth hot rods it didn,t really cover my car but did have a lot of information.The front I beam I do not know what to do with it? New springs and shocks or just replace it with a 32 ford style set up.No mustang 2 suspension,I asked some different vendors at shows about the suspension with no luck .The car is a true project vehical 80% complete stock motor and running gear not running with a good body. I have all the fenders but dont want to run them, I am open to all kinds of ideas still in the planning stages just want to set it right! The drive train would like to keep it mopar Thanks again Joe
I'd have to agree, Model a crossmember and a dropped Model a axle, with later Ford juice brakes and split wishbone.
I'd keep the stock front AND rear suspension and simply install new springs and fab up some shock mounts. The original deal works good. Now if you want to build some fancy street rod you can change it but the original set-up is fine. You may want to change the steering box... My old friend Willy built a way nice 28 Plymouth sedan using an early Ford Econoline front axle and steering box. Drove as good as any hot rod I've driven. And a Ford buggy spring suspension ain't exactly an improvement in handling... cool, yes... good handling, no. BTW that MOPAR axle with the "smile" is used under a bunch of early Ford hot rods... they use that axle to "improve" the Fords... go figure!
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