Father-Son 1974 Duster Project

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Rebuilding an old car isn't cheaper than a new car, you just get to do it a bit at a time. There are 2 kinds of people that say "hey, nice car". The ones who haven't seen one like it in a few decades and the ones who know what it takes. Hey, nice car!
 
That is what I did DD! Replaced everything suspension related with Moog parts. I think it will be worth the effort that it will take you.

Alex
 
I used all moog parts on my duster, no issues.
Tip, the upper ball joint un-screws.
 
Alex5280 said:
That is what I did DD! Replaced everything suspension related with Moog parts. I think it will be worth the effort that it will take you.

Alex
Click to expand...
I know its the right move. Sometimes it takes me a little bit to give in and deal with the obvious. Since mine is a V8 car with AC it has the biggest torsion bars they used 1974 so I'll stay with those. I think the car sits nice.
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sireland67 said:
Tip, the upper ball joint un-screws.
Click to expand...
It should anyway, your results may vary. :lol:
Correct socket help. Leave on car for leverage helps. I still couldn't get one out. Took it to local garage and he removed it with a beast of an impact gun.:thumbsup:
 
zkx14 said:
It should anyway, your results may vary. :lol:
Correct socket help. Leave on car for leverage helps. I still couldn't get one out. Took it to local garage and he removed it with a beast of an impact gun.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

So true, one of the ball joints in my car, was welded to the upper control arm.
You never know what you will find in these old cars.
 
The transmission shop who did my shift kit says since the gears in my 8-1/4 are street friendly, why not get one of these suregrip units and be done?
I know nothing about differentials. Nothing!
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Regardless of which gears you use, you will still need a traction aid.
What gears are in there now.
 
You could get a real close estimate if you know the rpm is at 60 mph in high gear.
There are alot of rear end ratio caculator out there.
 
Then you can adjust rear gears to what the car is comfortable at.
Just rennet these old cars do not have overdrive, so they were designed to cruise at around 3000 rpm's.
 
I’ll have to have someone pace me on the highway to verify my speed. I was going about 55-60 and turning about 2300 a few weeks back. The car zips around pretty good with the gears that are in it. Very drivable. I may just get the locker to make it a suregrip....
 
If you want to verify your speed, there are several GPS speedo apps available for smart phones that work well. That was all I had for a speedo all summer.

Cley
 
Gearing up for the Holidays! Lots of thinking going on here.
My son Thinks I should put the white letters out on the polished wheels.
I wasn't feeling it when I got the wheels so I faced them in. Only have about 50 miles on the tires so it won't hurt them to flip them.
I think the car looks clean with the blackwalls.
Opinions, please.
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Leave it the way it is.
The problem is the 50 miles.....you need to drive that beauty some more.
 
Yeah. 275s would have fit with a spacer or a spring relocation. These are 245s and I have 1/4" space at the springs with not rub issues. It photographs weird due to width of the quarter at the wheels. Looks way different from the back. I see lots of guys using the spacers but I don’t know how I feel about that.
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