Advice on suspension for 1965 dart

[shawn65]

I just wanted to get some advice... I want and need to upgrade suspension/bushings on my dart. I’m just not sure who I should go with as far as company.(preferably someone that specializes in Mopar).. Also what type of suspension kit should I go with... and if I can keep it at or around a couple hundred bucks that would be great. Any Advice?

 

[mcnoople]

Rebuild it with standard rubber bushings and replace any loose steering components would be a good low cost starting point. You don't "NEED" poly bushing to get decent street performance and poly comes with compromises.

 

[BillGrissom]

The compromise w/ poly is possible squeaks, as I understand.

By "need to upgrade", do you mean that your bushings are shot, or that you don't think the factory design is sufficient? If you change upper bushings, I suggest getting the Moog "offset" ones to improve caster. 2/box so if 1 box (~$30 w/ shipping, rock or ebay), use them for the rear bushing, so the UCA is pulled in toward the engine as much as possible. If at the front, push the UCA out, but that messes up your camber.

 

[shawn65]

No i dont think the ball joints are shot but i just know that any rubber is pretty much is degraded. this thing sat for 15 years so its expected. i wanna replace bushings and such.

 

[Tadams]

Check with PST. They will hook you up with a complete kit to do the front end for a good price. I did my 65 Barracuda and am well satisfied with what I have. Not only was the shipping fast, but when I had a question the guy's were most knowledgable and friendly. They were happy to help answer questions and being this was my first rebuild I did call for help.
Good luck.

 

[C130 Chief]

ESPO

Aside from UCA, LCA, and strut rod bushings you should also replace rear spring eye and shackle bushings. This will make a notable difference. The early type idler arm wears quickly so I would replace that and the Pittman arm. And since you'll have everything apart anyhow, it makes little sense to reuse ball joints and TRE's.

 

[matt71vh]

I just wanted to get some advice... I want and need to upgrade suspension/bushings on my dart. I’m just not sure who I should go with as far as company.(preferably someone that specializes in Mopar).. Also what type of suspension kit should I go with... and if I can keep it at or around a couple hundred bucks that would be great. Any Advice?

I got my kit from the guys in the link bellow and all of the parts seem well made. What it does not have that I ordered separately was the strut rod bushings and the pitman and idler arm. I think all together I have spent about 400 on the parts maybe a little less.

http://stores.a-resto-parts.com/StoreFront.bok

 

[shawn65]

thanks for the help im going to order a kit tomorrow from PST not a bad deal....Im sure i will have questions throughout this process...It’s going to be my first...

 

[mcnoople]

The compromise w/ poly is possible squeaks, as I understand.

.

Squeaks are the least important of the poly bushing compromises. Poly strut rod bushing are generally too thick decreasing what little caster you already could have. The LCA poly bushing is downright scary from a design standpoint. The poly lca bushing allows fore and aft movement of the lca on the bushing which will wreak havok with your suspension settings. I have poly uca's on my valiant and yes they do squeak and squawk on bumps.

 

[HotLines]

In the 25 years my Signet has had poly bushing on all it suspension components I've never heard it squeak and I am not hard of hearing. I got mine at PST or Energy, which is basically the same company..

Maybe my SuperTrapps are too loud..

 

[Tadams]

Hi Shawn, Feel free to ask questions. We will get you through this. Its not as hard as it seems. When I did mine I put the front on stands and removed the wheels. I took one side apart and put it back together befor starting the other. That way if I got a little confused I could look at the other side to get me back on track. PM if you need help.
Tommy

 

[RustyRatRod]

First, without knowing what you WANT the car to do, no one can make a recommendation. Some things good quality rubber bushings are good for, some things urethane. Without knowing what you want from the car, it's impossible to answer. So before you run out and buy a bunch of wrong stuff based on somebody's misinformation, tell us what you intend to do with the car. Get a mental picture of what it does now and what you want it to do differently. Then we can give you some useful advice instead of a bunch of guesses.

 

[OLDFARTSDART]

I'm installing a PST kit with rubber bushings ,new pitman arm torsion bar seals. 474.00 to my door,then 55.00 from rock auto for moog off set uca bushing. I'm looking for stock smooth ride. 64 dart /6
Moe