Hi Everyone, I have been lurking on this site for a while now, never really had much to offer but need help now so looking for any advice anyone might have. I have owned many "late model" hot rods (my mechanic and friends who are a bit older than me consider my cars which are usually late 60's - early 70's late model). Anyway, i had an opportunity to buy a '40 dodge pickup last year, it still has its original drivetrain which is running and moving. The truck is in ok shape, considering, but needs a lot of work. I bought it mainly for my wife because she loves 40's style vehicles, especially trucks. Anyway, I am debating on swapping the frame, engine, rear end, or none of it. I would like to be able to drive the truck at highway speed with some degree of comfort, and from what i have read that can be done with a frame swap. I have seen s10 swaps here and they look interesting (also Dakota swaps). Wondering if i can do anything with some spare parts i have here. I have the following parts available to me for free from leftover projects: 1981 C10 pickup, sbc 350, running and driving/ complete. 1970 Plymouth Duster K frame complete with brakes/slant six engine/automatic transmission and rear end (i am doing a v8 swap on my duster now, all running gear in perfect running condition). Is it worthwhile to swap in the slant six into the current frame (the original flat head is running but has been sitting for 20 years and all original, not sure if it is worth doing when i have a perfect slant). Would the rear from the duster fit on the truck? Can the entire body be moved onto the C10 ch***is? Can i graft any part of the Kframe/brakes/rotors from the duster onto the stock frame? I really have no experience with this, looking for best options. I have always wanted to work on an older project like this, but unfamiliar with it.
Howdy friend. First thing you need to do is introduce yourself in the "Introductions" part of the site. A cut and paste of the first part of your post should work just fine. Be sure to read the stickie, too. Lots to learn here, with a ton of helpful folks, take your time and use the search function for "frame swaps" and "s-10". Do your research and be prepared for opinions is you ask for them.
I have all the parts for the 40, although the truck was a farm truck and every panel is dented. I did read all the s10 swap ideas, but i wanted some expert advice to see if i can use what i have.
Check into a 1980s Dodge Dakota front frame stub. I think the Dakota frame will slide inside the Dodge frame giving you several feet of welding area - not sure about the 1940 frame width, so measure carefully. That gets you all modern front end stuff and keeps your Ford/Mopar bolt pattern so you could use the stock wheels if you want. Also look at a 8.8 rear end out of an Explorer, they are the right width, strong, and many of them are 3.73 posi.
so, an explorer rear will bolt up and is the correct width? I had thought about welding the frame from another vehicle, but again, looking for advice. I have the c10 here, but i guess that might be too big? Would be nice if i could have used it because it is free.
8.8 swap into a Jeep is common & well do***ented on various sites. Google for it & study what they did, most of it will apply. It usually involves moving spring perches and getting an adaptor at the front to go from Ford to regular ****er u-joint.
I don't know 40 dodge trucks but with what u have available I would stay with the original ch***is. Drop in the slant six and ******. Explorer rear end. And just update the front suspension with discs and possibly a drop axle
X2. I would use the slant six/auto and the explorer rear to get a more user friendly drivetrain for the wife and better brakes on front and just go with it. Its hard to kill a sent 6.
Ok, so the slant six drivetrain idea i like because i have owned this engine and transmission for years and it has never given me a problem. Should i also use the wiring from the car along with the engine/******? is it possible to use the steering column and steering box along with the disc brakes from the dart or should i get a donor braking system from another car/truck ? I would prefer something i can get a boneyard cheap. any recommendations?
The slant 6 is going to be a tight squeeze without moving the radiator or cutting the firewall. If you want to swap in modern suspension/brakes look into a mid 70's - 80's Volare/Diplomat/Grand Fury transverse T bar front end, the whole front suspension unbolts as one unit and they came with slant 6's in them so you wont have to make motor mounts.
I agree with the tight fit; but 1982 was 30 years ago and those Volare etc are hard to find, mostly rusted out. Maybe a Grandma car on Craigslist if you're lucky, or consider more recent donors.
Skip the Volare subframe, there are better options out there. Just because you have something on hand, does not mean it will be the cheapest/best way to do something. I learned that one the hard way. I agree with the guys that say add the slant 6 and trans and a modern rear axle to the original frame. Upgrade to a disc brake "kit" from www.rustyhope.com. The kit comes with the machined parts you need with a parts list you can get from your favorite auto parts outlet. The disc brake caliper attaching system setup on your Dart is more complex to adapt to the beam axle under your truck then it might be worth, but might be worth asking Charley at Rusty Hope. You also have to consider how long replacement parts are going to be available for your Dart disc brakes. You may have to modify the radiator position or cut the firewall to install the slant 6, they are a bit longer then the flathead 6 originally in your truck, so you will need to create some clearance. If you really feel a need to clip that frame, I'd use a Dakota, pre 91 have 5 bolt 4 1/2" pattern, newer ones have 6 bolt wheels. Rather then doing a clip, you might look at putting your body (cab, box & front sheet metal) on the full Dakota frame. They are easy to shorten to your needed wheel base and should fit about as well as any other frame/clip and you still retain the option of using the truck as a truck if you want. Gene
Or keep the flathead they are reliable engines once they are in good running condition. They are different and can be cool. Depending on if you have the 23 inch or 25 inch block "speed" parts are available, moreso for the 23 inch block but they are out there for the long block as well. Here is mine (top two), ******Knuckles, Blue Skies, and another from a member of the P15-D24 website http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/index.php?referrerid=1152
thanks for the advice. I am not set on using the old stuff i have, but it was worth a shot to see if it could be used (i hate not being able to use the stuff!). I am undecided. The flat head motor does run, but to be honest it is out of my comfort zone (i am a child of the 70's-80's and i grew up with 350's and slant 6's, this is my first car older than 1969). I was considering the frame swap idea to get the improved ride/handling/braking. Never done any of it, so it is a learning curve to be sure!
Just another question, i just happened across a 92 S10 pickup with a 2.8L engine and a 5 speed. Running and driving for $500. It is in a storage yard and the owner of the yard is cleaning house. No ability to register is why it is so cheap. It is a shortbed, standard cab. Would this be a worthwhile swap? Can i use the original drivetrain as is? I am currently reading through the "definitive s10 swap" on this site, but have not seen anything yet about putting it under a 40 dodge.
Due to wheelbase, that S-10 is the wrong starting point for a frame swap, unless you want to extend the frame. Most people doing frame swaps use the Extended Cab Long Bed or similar. If you have a bad frame to start with, people will shop carefully to find a donor that doesn't need frame modification. And that motor is fairly weak, it had trouble pushing the lighter S-10 around. And most of all, it's a ton of work to do a frame swap, a lot more than fixing up the stock front end and swapping in a modern rear end. Getting everything mounted correctly to hide the frame is tough, many swaps never look right due to that issue, not to mention track width or wheelbase issues. Unless your frame is bad, I'd suggest you try to minimize work that doesn't gain you much. You can swap in a whole new front end if you want (OEM donor or aftermarket), which would give you power steering etc, which may be still less work than a whole frame swap. Now, if your frame is rusted out, that's another issue, and a frame swap is then more recommended. What does your existing frame look like?
Nice to see someone else diving into one of these old dodges. I was not the one who decided to use a gm A body ch***is, but I am the one making it work Anyhow here is a link to the build thread, and maybe a couple of ideas for you. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=701726
so if i were to keep the stock frame, which is in good shape, what would the best donor be for the front end/brake/suspension/steering parts?
I have a 53 Dodge truck I put on a Dakota frame, but unless you are confidant in your welding and fabrication skills, I would stay with the stock frame. I only put mine on a Dakota frame because my wife is partially disabled and it is being built for her.
how 'bout trying a ford f1 axle or a chevy 3100 axle....i know that you can get disc kits for them...don't know 'bout the dodge axle....if you want IFS, i know that an AMC pacer might just be what you are looking for....saw one bolted up to a 50 f2 ch***is...fit like a glove...also try a volare/aspen front suspension ....they work well also...my 56 dodge is set up w/subframe from a 77 camaro....not too bad either.....I'd stay with the old flattie...they're just so cool...I have one in my 40 plymouth coupe...twin carbs, true dual 3 into 1 headers...plenty of go power....the stocker was 201 cu. in......now I have 230 cu. in. from a 55 plymouth...the leaning tower of power will be a tight fit....but that's why the Good Lord gave us sawzalls, oxy-acetelyne torches, chop saws, and arc welders....choose wisely....and have at it !!!
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