Good morning folks! So, I have this '59 Kustom... her name is Ramona. I have posted about her in the past, but I am on a new mission and I think she is going to get a major safety overhaul. Not necessarily because I am nervous about a$$holes that are driving around the metro Detroit area and cutting me off, but because I think I can make this a great ride that is also safe. (Obviously not going to be AS safe as a new crumple zone car...) My thoughts: Schwartz Chassis with rack and pinion steering and discs. I KNOW others have done things to make their hot rods more up to date, while retaining the look of the car. Note: I drive this car long distances, with my family inside Looking for ideas? Has anyone done these types of upgrades?
I have a '59 Chevy with stock brakes, but I upgraded to a '67 dual MC and a '63 booster. It works just fine and I drive my family around Chicago in it, and have driven to MD, TX and several points around the Midwest. However, upgrading to better brakes is always a good idea, but why rack & pinion? Whatever you do, making sure your vehicle is maintained well is key, AND knowing it's limitations. You're not going to stop a 4000 pound car on a dime no matter what you do, and you can't control what other drivers are doing, so don't drive too close.
You really don't need to replace the whole chassis, unless it's in really bad shape, you want to get into a big magazine, or you really like to give away money.
This is my 60chevy, 605 power steering box,large disc brakes on the front,big stabilizer bars on both ends, 9" ford rear axle and a 409/4speed----how much more safety do you need?
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