18" wheels
These are the shocks I run on my Duster, Hotchkis non-adjustables. They make an adjustable version as well https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hss-79020015/overview/make/plymouth/model/duster . I think the Hotchkis shocks work a little better with larger torsion bars, I did notice a small improvement even going from the Bilstein RCD's to the Hotchkis shocks on my Duster. But I run 1.12" torsion bars, and I would bet that the difference between the Bilstein's and the Hotchkis shocks is less noticeable with smaller diameter bars.
Strut tower brace? I'm guessing you're thinking something like you see on later model cars that actually have struts, that go across the engine bay from tower to tower? That's not really what you need. The torsion bar suspension doesn't carry loads the same way a strut, or coilover equipped car does. You can benefit from triangulating the front frame rail to the cowl/firewall and shock mount, but that's not something that your average street car needs. That also requires a decent amount of welding.
This is part of the front frame reinforcement I did, commonly referred to as "J" bars. They definitely stiffen the chassis, but unless you're planning on autoX or road race events it's overkill. You can see the bar running from the cowl down to the forward part of the frame rail, and tied into the top of the shock mount as well. I also have a radiator support brace welded in behind the stock radiator support, it's right below where the J bar lands.
These are the shocks I run on my Duster, Hotchkis non-adjustables. They make an adjustable version as well https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hss-79020015/overview/make/plymouth/model/duster . I think the Hotchkis shocks work a little better with larger torsion bars, I did notice a small improvement even going from the Bilstein RCD's to the Hotchkis shocks on my Duster. But I run 1.12" torsion bars, and I would bet that the difference between the Bilstein's and the Hotchkis shocks is less noticeable with smaller diameter bars.
Strut tower brace? I'm guessing you're thinking something like you see on later model cars that actually have struts, that go across the engine bay from tower to tower? That's not really what you need. The torsion bar suspension doesn't carry loads the same way a strut, or coilover equipped car does. You can benefit from triangulating the front frame rail to the cowl/firewall and shock mount, but that's not something that your average street car needs. That also requires a decent amount of welding.
This is part of the front frame reinforcement I did, commonly referred to as "J" bars. They definitely stiffen the chassis, but unless you're planning on autoX or road race events it's overkill. You can see the bar running from the cowl down to the forward part of the frame rail, and tied into the top of the shock mount as well. I also have a radiator support brace welded in behind the stock radiator support, it's right below where the J bar lands.
