70 vs. 74 steering parts question.....

[70-duster]

I have a 70 duster with a 318 in it. I just acquired a 360 for it. I also have a 74 dart, that I took the spool k frame out along with the steering box, pitman arm, draglink etc. I was considering dropping out the 70 k frame and all the suspension parts up front, and swapping in the 74 stuff? Would that be the smart thing to do, or should I just swap out the reg. k frame for the spool one and not bother with the 74 stuff? I also took the disc brakes off the 74 and will be using that stuff on my 70 ( a arms included). Need some opinions on what is better, the 70 or the 74 stuff?

 

[Jim Lusk]

Neither one is really better, BUT the late parts clear oil pans better due to the studs going down into the centerlink, instead of up.

 

[twofosho]

If that 74 K is in good shape, make life easy on yourself, just rebuild it and the matching front suspension from it off the car. Allows you to keep the car running while you detail and assemble everything without the car in the way, then install the replacement motor/transmission in it before dropping the body down around like the factory did. You can drop out the old stuff from the bottom, too. Once you do one this way, you'll wonder why you ever did it any other way.

 

[Dartnut]

Do yourself a favour, and change it all at once for the '73 and up front suspension/brakes.
You will never regret it, it's a better design and the parts are a lot cheaper.
I have done this swap several times with the mix and match way too, and my suggestion is to definitely go with the complete change over including ALL brake and suspension parts off the donor car (including the steering box).
Rebuild everything and detail it so that it's ready, and then pick a day to swap in it all at once.
It's a direct bolt in.

 

[Oldmanmopar]

The steering linkage is different , Pitman arm, Idler arm, and center link. When I put my headers on my 71 Duster I had to modify the one tube. The side of the early pitman arm was hitting it. After lowering the tube and moving it to the side it was OK.

After all that work I came to find out if I would have used 73 up parts the header would have fit without any mods.The later pitman does not have the drop as the early one. Hooker made my 2 inch tube headers to fit the later steering components. I would think other headers are made using the later type suspenion for fitment also. But I am not sure. I know the nuts on the early pitman and idler face up and on some cars they do have a problen hitting the header and in some cases the replacement factory exhaust.

Also the 73 up strutrods allow you to use the Three peice bushing set which are alot better, They Allow more up and down movement without bind.

The 73 up stabilizer also reacts quicker.

When I have my new 2 1/8 headers made I am going to change to 73 steering linkage but retain the 71 K. Only because of the mods I have done to the K. I will be able to move the tube back up away from the street.

If I were to To start over and know what I learned . I would use the later suspension complete . K and all. Just a better design

 

[70-duster]

Thanks guys. a lot of good information. I will probably drop the 70 stuff out and use all the suspension stuff from the 74. Sounds like a plan. Anybody need any 70 front suspension parts?