68 Dart GT suspension upgrade recommendations - best bang for the buck

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Sdriche

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I bought a 68 Dart convertible. Originally a 275 car now with a 360. Looking for a list of the 'must do' handling upgrades. I just did the pump it down procedure and that made a noticeable difference in handling. It has air shocks in the rear and gabriel shocks up front (both new). Ride feels bouncy over bumps and the car sways a bit after. I was considering Bilstiens as I put those on my Grand National and it was night an day. What have you done that made an immediate improvement?
 
Barring your suspension overall is is good shape, Weld in Subframes, good shocks (Hotchkis, Bilstein, Fox, etc) modern tires and an alignment to match with moog upper A arm bushing install to allow more castor and larger front sway bar and install a rear sway.

Beyond that you get into larger torsion bars, New rear leafs, Aftermarket upper control arms or adjustable upper control arms, larger brakes with larger wheels for even better tires, to complete front and rear end kits from RMS, Hemi Denny, Boxed lower arms, adjustable strut rods, welded K frame, and more.

How much are you looking to spend and how do you plan to drive the car?
 
The car will be a casual driver. Car shows, occasional highway driving, etc. Always looking to spend the least amount possible but willing to invest where I need. Meaning if different shocks will have a noticeable impact, I'll start there. If the subframe connectors are a better improvement, I'll start there. Essentially looking to get a prioritized list and keep going down the list until the handling is 'good enough'.

With the wheels off the ground I feel no play anywhere right now.
 

X2 on the subframe connectors, especially on a convertible. They've got a lot of flex, especially now that they're 50+ years old...
Next (actually, probably the 1st thing) is freshening up your existing suspension- new bushings front and rear; now is the time to do some reading on this forum and decide if poly or rubber is the right call for you- there's pros and cons to both. As dano said above, the Moog "Problem Solver" offset upper control arm bushings are a good step for getting some decent front end settings for modern radial tires. Don't install them according to the included instructions, this requires a different installation- again, search and read for the installation and recommended alignment settings. And don't forget the ball joints and tie rod ends, pitman and idler arms. Probably lots of 50 year old slop there.
While the front end is apart, it's a good time to box your lower control arms, and to add anti-sway bar tabs if you don't already have a bar.
You said it was originally a "275"- I'll assume you mean 273 and not 225, and have V8 torsion bars in the front. They're adequate, but only barely for a driver. Consider, at a minimum, scoring a set of factory 340 or 383 bars, if buying new aftermarket ones I wouldn't bother with anything under an inch or more- up to you and your preference between ride harshness and handling how far you need to go. Same with the front sway bar. In the rear a set of the XHD leaves would be a good starting point, there's stiffer ones but that'll be your call, just like the t-bars on front.
And tires... you need to decide how big and wide you want to go- "the biggest that will fit" isn't always necessary for a cruiser, but that's your (and your wallet's) call...
And really, any suspension upgrade should be accompanied by a brake upgrade... and that's a whole other topic... I see lots of forum reading in your future.
Snowballing? Yup. Welcome to hot rodding. :)
 
I meant 225 (slant 6). That was the original motor. Now has a 360. no sway bars either front or rear. Car has 15" tires front and rear. I have no idea what if any upgrades were made when the bigger motor was installed. Torsion bars measure .86" I was told the ball joints are new.
 
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I meant 225 (slant 6). That was the original motor. Now has a 360. no sway bars either front or rear. Car has 15" tires front and rear. I have no idea what if any upgrades were made when the bigger motor was installed. Torsion bars measure .86" I was told the ball joints are new.

If it we're me with this car to start it would be in order

1. Welded in Subframe connectors
2. Offset Moog upper A bushing install for castor/camber
3. Good tires with modern tread design, traction and temp ranges.
4. Alignment for modern tires.
5. Good shocks noted above
6. Front and rear sway bars or at least stock front.

Drive and enjoy until your ready to step up to more if you want to.
 
If it we're me with this car to start it would be in order

1. Welded in Subframe connectors
2. Offset Moog upper A bushing install for castor/camber
3. Good tires with modern tread design, traction and temp ranges.
4. Alignment for modern tires.
5. Good shocks noted above
6. Front and rear sway bars or at least stock front.

Drive and enjoy until your ready to step up to more if you want to.
If it were me, it would already be in a kazillion pieces and the wife would be giving me the evil eye once she got a look at the credit card statement...
OP- don't be "me". Stick to your plan and do a little at a time, enjoying it as you go. You've got some good starting points above, so do a little at a time. So some wise shopping and scrounging and you'll reach a point when you're happy without going overboard!
 
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