My dad and I are working on a 39 Ford Business Coupe that is on a 89 Dakota Frame and has a Big Block 429 in it. Narrowed Ford 9" rear end. Because of how the front suspension on the Dakota is setup wheels that fit the look of the car just simply dont fit the car. Everything we have tried that has any outer dish to the wheel at all does not fit right. Does anyone know of a company that sells aftermarket control arms or if there are brake rotors/hubs that would mount to the Dakota spindles that would allow the wheels to fit inside the fenders better. Right now running a common set of slot wheels stick out way to far and will not allow the wheels to turn all the way with out rubbing the fenders. Any help is greatly appreciated. The picture doesn't show the best but it is the only pic I have of the car right now until my dad and I move some stuff in the garage. Right now the 318 I am putting in the Rambler is in the way to get the 39 out. The wheels that are on the front in the picture are your run of the mill steel wheel. I think they were on the frame of the dakota when my dad got the frame and started working on the project.
That's why you measure first. There are narrowed a-arms for the Camaro subs and the MII, haven't seen anything for the Dakota yet.
What bolt pattern is the early Dakota? If it's 5X4 !/2 a ton of front wheel drive wheels will fit. It'll still look awkward with positive offset front wheels and negative offset rears but it'll be driveable and actually the geometry will be better than most.
All he got was just the body, hood, decklid, doors, and fenders when he bought it. The dakota frame was given to him from a guy who s****s cars. We know we could run a fwd style wheel. The problem is my dad got ahead of himself a bit and narrowed the rear end and know is trying to find a way to get wheels that will fit with out having to go to a MII front suspension or something along those lines.