Dodge guys I need help

My buddy just bought a '49 Dodge Wayfar Convertable, he wants to put it on a early frame under it(the susp. on the '49 is almost all missing) but not sure what to get. I was looking at mid 70's cars but most seem to be unibody. The wheel base needs to be around 115 to 117 inches, not sure on front suspension width. Anyone have any suggestions
oh ya he wants to keep it Dodge

Thanks for the help

 

Well, He's prety much SOL unless he wants a truck frame.
Dodge went Unibody in the very early sixties.
I don't know if the full size (Read that Newport) cars had full frames or not.
He could always use a Chevy or Ford frame and transplant a Dodge powertrain.

 

Why not keep the original frame thats on it and add a Diplomat or Volare K-member and front suspension, and add a 60/70 B-body 8 3/4 rear end?

 

Yeah...what he said.

 

I agree with you Hellfish but it's not my car. Thanks for the help I will keep looking and keep trying to talk him into keeping the stock frame

 

Dodge truck frame from mid 1980's is 115". That might work... He can put in a big-block with Schumacher mounts, bada-bing!

 

My '49 wayfarer has a fatman mustang II stub on it and a 9" on the original leafs. Pretty straightforward combination, if he wants it to be reliable and easy to do. As for a chassis, I know when we were planning the build on the dodge, a '73 chevelle wagon frame had the right wheelbase and track width for the car, of course then it's not all dodge. If you have any questions on how mine went together, don't hesitate to ask.

 

thanks for the imput, it helps a lot

 

The Imperial was frame on chassis at least through '63, possibly through 67.

 

The volare sub frame is a nice unit but is too wide for that car. A mustang II is better suited for it as far as the width goes.

 

I've got a front subframe from a Chrysler 5th Ave. that I was going to use in my '56 Plymouth. The width was right on for the '56. It's complete with brakes, etc., and I have the Schumacher kit to big-block it, brand new. I'm in Southern Co, in the San Luis Valley. Let me know if this will help.

 

K frame wise you would get closer with a volare(F body). The diplomat/5th Ave (M body) is a little wider. However a dakota frame is really close to the stock frame that is under it except for the rear rails. I haven't got the actual dimensions but they are kind of close.

 

what about susp. wouldn't a truck be a little to much for what I need?

 

You can adjust spring rates and whatnot. It's probably not going to ride a lot worse than the original 1949 setup (maybe better if you set it up right), plus you won't have the huge parts availability problems someone working with a stock chassis would.