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joesgarage781

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Apr 8, 2025
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Lynn, MA 01902
Hello from Lynn, Ma. I'm a retired Master Auto tech specializing in Automatic Transmission Rebuilding. My first Dodge build was a 1966 A100 van with a 340 TAA 727 combo back in the late 70's. Have always been into building cars and trucks. My newest project to take on is a 1965 Valiant 200 wagon. My intensions are to build a restomod that handles a road course and turns 1/4 mile passes. I'd like input on some of the components I intend to use, pros and cons. My Bucket List Goal id to do Drag & Drive or Sick Week in the near future.
Thanks for welcoming me into your group.
 
Welcome to our slice of madness, heaven or whatever you prefer.
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I'm also doing a restomod build while keeping a bit of the nostalgic Mopar tradition.
 
Thanks for responding and welcoming me. I'm having my Valiant shipped up from Florida. I'm planning on starting on it in May. My intensions are full QA1 suspension, Gen 3 Hemi with Auto. Debating on the rear end, leaning 9".
I joined the group to hear actual experiences with QA1 vs other Tubular suspension systems. Any thoughts.
 
Welcome Joe! Sounds like a fun project. I've told myself if I ever did an early A again it would be a wagon. Something bad *** about squashing people's egos in a little Plymouth...

You may or my no know already the early A's are about an inch narrower on each side of the frame rails so keep that in mind if you're thinking about a tubular k-frame, though you only mentioned suspension I figured it might be worth mentioning.

as far as the suspension bits themselves, in my opinion, the lower control arms are fine when re-enforced and PST makes a nice UCA that's fully adjustable.

Anyway, looking forward to watching your project!
 
Thanks for the info. im debating maybe filming the build and putting it on YouTube. I love watching other builds and they give great insight into the gremlins that could arise.
 
Thanks for responding and welcoming me. I'm having my Valiant shipped up from Florida. I'm planning on starting on it in May. My intensions are full QA1 suspension, Gen 3 Hemi with Auto. Debating on the rear end, leaning 9".
I joined the group to hear actual experiences with QA1 vs other Tubular suspension systems. Any thoughts.
So my front suspension of my 74 Duster is pretty much all QA1.
QA1: K-member, Upper control arms, Tie rods sleeves (larger 11/16 size), front sway bar, Stocker star NA shocks and front strut rods.
Lower control arms are pretty much stock but with welded in reinforcement.
PST 1.03" Torsion bars
Energy Suspension and Prothane bushings.

The rear suspension has not been touched yet.
Going to put in new rear XHD springs, better shocks to replace the ick KYB's, installing a 8 3/4 rear axle with Suregrip, rear disk brake kit and nitro axleshafts.
Been looking at QA1 rear coilover set, but for $2500 for not much of an improvement for my needs, likely not going to get it.

Transmission is a rebuilt & modified A999 from a 1988 Dodge Diplomat police car, so I'm not going to touch that. But it is getting a gearvendor unit installed behind it.
Going to eventually put in a 408 Stroker that is based off of a 2002 360 magnum engine. (hoping for 500+ HP) It's currently in my garage being slowly assembled. For now I'm using a 1990 360 LA-Roller.
Also going to use the Holley Sniper EFI. Why? Because I daily drive this everywhere rain, shine and snow, And I have fun doing it. The mountain road twisties here in the Rockies are fun to drive now!
I may replace the QA1 shocks with Bilsteins. Both are good, may just stick with QA1.
 
The 65 Valiant wagon is a nice original choice Joe. Welcome aboard. There is a member here that did a 65 Barracuda with an original "Hot Rod Chassis" frame and suspension upgrade with a Gen III Hemi fuel injected...tracking your progress should be a fun ride for all of us. Thanks for coming aboard!
 
Welcome.

You need to looking into the offerings from QA1, I don’t think they have a K-frame or coil over kit for an early A-Body (63-66). Not really sure anyone does other than HDK and not sure his is listed, I think you have to ask about it.

Do a search on the kit company names and you will get more input than you probably want.
 
Welcome to the fun for us retired Mopar Technicians. I thought my Aspen RT "F Body "would be unusual , but a 65 Valiant Wagon sounds like lots of fun. Best of luck on it and keep us all posted !
 
Thanks for the info. im debating maybe filming the build and putting it on YouTube. I love watching other builds and they give great insight into the gremlins that could arise.
Be careful with that, Joe. I used to restore old jukeboxes (past tense), and I found that documenting everything (taking photos & videos, typing, editing, uploading, answering inane questions from people who won't RTFM....) takes a LOT more time that one would think! Enough so that after I completed an "stupid money" restoration (a jukebox I had an emotional attachment with), I swore to myself that it I would never do that again. (The documenting, not the restoring.)

In my opinion: Fix 'em, build 'em how you want, have fun with 'em, and the hell with everything else! Life's too short.

And Welcome aboard!

Jim
 
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The 65 Valiant wagon is a nice original choice Joe. Welcome aboard. There is a member here that did a 65 Barracuda with an original "Hot Rod Chassis" frame and suspension upgrade with a Gen III Hemi fuel injected...tracking your progress should be a fun ride for all of us. Thanks for coming aboard!
Thanks, I'll keep everyone updated.
 
Be careful with that, Joe. I used to restore old jukeboxes (past tense), and I found that documenting everything (taking photos & videos, typing, editing, uploading, answering inane questions from people who won't RTFM....) takes a LOT more time that one would think! Enough so that after I completed an "stupid money" restoration (a jukebox I had an emotional attachment with), I swore to myself that it I would never do that again. (The documenting, not the restoring.)

In my opinion: Fix 'em, build 'em how you want, have fun with 'em, and the hell with everything else! Life's too short.

And Welcome aboard!

Jim
Thanks for the advice.
 
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