the_engineers
Active Member
I suppose I should introduce myself now that I've been lurking for a week and registered for a few days. My name is Brooks. My wife, Nancy, and I have a '71 'Cuda and spend most of our forum time over on Cuda-Challenger.com.
This past weekend we went, checked out, and bought a 1972 Dart Swinger. The car is \6, auto, 7.25. W1 White with B5 interior and originally a B5 vinyl top. Bench seat, AM, PS, manual drums, no A/C.
The bad:
- Fairly rusty on the bottom 2-3" of the rear quarters and some rust above the wheel openings.
- I vacuumed 10 lbs of mouse crap out of the back seat and trunk, but the smell is still pretty strong.
- Original grill was smashed and replaced with a 1970-71 Plymouth grille, which was subsequently smashed...did I mention old people owned it?
The good:
- Body is extremely solid. I emptied the trunk, removed the mat, removed the seats and carpet. No rust anywhere in the floor pan or trunk floor!
- Under side of the car did not receive any aftermarket undercoating and is very, very clean
- No hacking/molesting has occurred. An aftermarket radio was installed (and removed) at some point. They hung brackets below the dash, tapped ACC power and ran separate wire for the speakers.
- After sitting for 2-6 years in storage, a new battery got it to fire. We towed it home and won't start it again until after a full fluid flush, but it's driveable.
The plan:
We already have a fire-breathing monster in the 'Cuda. The plan for the Dart is far more of a cruiser/pro-touring concept. Here's what we've kicked around so far:
Paint: Two-tone. Metallic Magenta above the door handles. Escalade white below.
Engine: Everything from a 5.7 to a SRT 2.4 has been talked about. No progress thus far.
Trans: Automatic, maybe O/D
Rear: 8 3/4 although I have a friend who narrowed a Magnum IRS with amazing results.
Suspension: Go-kart...I'm thinking an XV or Hotchkis kit. I have several friends who run SCCA.
Brakes: Big. My DD is a G35 with Brembo's. That's the "road feel" I'm after.
Wheels/Tires: 17 x 7's with 225 or 235/45R17's
Interior: Late-model front seats and either late rear bench or buckets with a console...
The questions:
- Front suspension: I see a lot of early vs. late discussion. Is that pre-/post '73 or pre-/post '70. Basically, how much of what I have can I re-use? LCA's? Spindles will depend on the brakes I buy. I have a set of FJM's that I can use if we got OEM. UCA's? When do the K-members change?
- What are some of the must-have's for the car?
- Anybody using a hydroboost set-up?
- Is there a factory tilt column that fits?
- Anyone have a floor shift column?
I'm sure there will be more...
Oh, one more...how can I find replies to my posts and the posts that I've written. I'm looking, but not seeing...
This past weekend we went, checked out, and bought a 1972 Dart Swinger. The car is \6, auto, 7.25. W1 White with B5 interior and originally a B5 vinyl top. Bench seat, AM, PS, manual drums, no A/C.
The bad:
- Fairly rusty on the bottom 2-3" of the rear quarters and some rust above the wheel openings.
- I vacuumed 10 lbs of mouse crap out of the back seat and trunk, but the smell is still pretty strong.
- Original grill was smashed and replaced with a 1970-71 Plymouth grille, which was subsequently smashed...did I mention old people owned it?
The good:
- Body is extremely solid. I emptied the trunk, removed the mat, removed the seats and carpet. No rust anywhere in the floor pan or trunk floor!
- Under side of the car did not receive any aftermarket undercoating and is very, very clean
- No hacking/molesting has occurred. An aftermarket radio was installed (and removed) at some point. They hung brackets below the dash, tapped ACC power and ran separate wire for the speakers.
- After sitting for 2-6 years in storage, a new battery got it to fire. We towed it home and won't start it again until after a full fluid flush, but it's driveable.
The plan:
We already have a fire-breathing monster in the 'Cuda. The plan for the Dart is far more of a cruiser/pro-touring concept. Here's what we've kicked around so far:
Paint: Two-tone. Metallic Magenta above the door handles. Escalade white below.
Engine: Everything from a 5.7 to a SRT 2.4 has been talked about. No progress thus far.
Trans: Automatic, maybe O/D
Rear: 8 3/4 although I have a friend who narrowed a Magnum IRS with amazing results.
Suspension: Go-kart...I'm thinking an XV or Hotchkis kit. I have several friends who run SCCA.
Brakes: Big. My DD is a G35 with Brembo's. That's the "road feel" I'm after.
Wheels/Tires: 17 x 7's with 225 or 235/45R17's
Interior: Late-model front seats and either late rear bench or buckets with a console...
The questions:
- Front suspension: I see a lot of early vs. late discussion. Is that pre-/post '73 or pre-/post '70. Basically, how much of what I have can I re-use? LCA's? Spindles will depend on the brakes I buy. I have a set of FJM's that I can use if we got OEM. UCA's? When do the K-members change?
- What are some of the must-have's for the car?
- Anybody using a hydroboost set-up?
- Is there a factory tilt column that fits?
- Anyone have a floor shift column?
I'm sure there will be more...
Oh, one more...how can I find replies to my posts and the posts that I've written. I'm looking, but not seeing...
