What axel/ make cheap gasser/66 cuda

[Budget mopar guy]

I’m about to start my 1966 barracuda project. I’ve owned the car for 22 years. I bought it when I was 14 years old. My ultimate goal is to make it a cost-effective gasser race car. I need to do everything on a budget so I’m looking for front axles that would be a wise choice for this project. I would prefer something out of an older truck and I’ve also heard rumblings of looking at old Jeep axles. Things I need to consider are going to be steering components And the availability of parts for brakes and what not has anybody done this conversion before ? Any guidance would be helpful. At this point, I really don’t have any interest in buying a $3000 kit. If I can’t put this together and do a lot of the DIY work to save money than I would just leave the car with the factory suspension. But I kind of have my heart set on making this thing a gas or because I think the era in which the car was made, it would just look absolutely rad.

 

[melcardona]

I’m about to start my 1966 barracuda project. I’ve owned the car for 22 years. I bought it when I was 14 years old. My ultimate goal is to make it a cost-effective gasser race car. I need to do everything on a budget so I’m looking for front axles that would be a wise choice for this project. I would prefer something out of an older truck and I’ve also heard rumblings of looking at old Jeep axles. Things I need to consider are going to be steering components And the availability of parts for brakes and what not has anybody done this conversion before ? Any guidance would be helpful. At this point, I really don’t have any interest in buying a $3000 kit. If I can’t put this together and do a lot of the DIY work to save money than I would just leave the car with the factory suspension. But I kind of have my heart set on making this thing a gas or because I think the era in which the car was made, it would just look absolutely rad.

many old school gassers used the 30s pick up truck front axils.....same springs shackels ect in the 70/s the vaga gearbox was then used....this 50 chevy was my street gasser...fun to build ..i had a full frame....you might have to add???

 

[junkyardhero]

when i was flirting with the idea of a gasser 64/65 dart wagon my searches lead me to speedway and i was eyeing their gasser straight axle kits. 900~1200 gets a pretty complete piece of kit with either chevy or ford spindles and modern brakes.

however if you're looking to go a little more budget than that, 60's vans had I beams. downside would be brakes...

 

[mopar head]

I would just leave the car with the factory suspension.

What I would recommend.

 

[Demonracer]

By the time you are said and done trying to put a straight axle under your car, you will be well over the $3,000.00 dollar mark. Most of the used components you will fins are older than your car and probably worn out or someone else's problem they want to unload. Straight axles for a daily driver is not for the faint of heart, they have bump steer if not correctly installed and have a tendency to wander. My suggestion would be to stay with your original torsion bar suspension, rebuild it with the best parts you can afford and enjoy driving it anywhere.

 

[Darter6]

60's vans had I beams.

Dodge or Ford Econoline . Like you I went round and round with thoughts of doing a gasser 63 Belvedere.
Had a woman say she had a Dodge A100 front axle and springs cluttering up her back yard and just come and get it..
Husband was standing behind shaking his head NO... Speedway has a nice kit but many said it's for light weight, not a B body. Fine for a A Body.
Cost factor kept me from doing it and I just went with Ma Mopar's cranked up torsion bars. Looked good but drove like crap.
That said I have a choice to crank it up or down. P.S. You can remove the upper control arm bump stop from the frame for additional height.
Cost factor was zero using what I had.. My 2 cents.

 

[71GSSDemon]

Check out The Hamb. That is the premiere hot rod site. They know what would be best to use. If not wanting a new kit from Speedway, you will be rebuilding somw very old parts, but parts are readily available. @MomsDuster recently did this. Maybe he could help with what he used

 

[408 swinger]

We used an Econoline on dad's 64 cuda. Narrowed it six inches. It's a forged piece, so, welding is no problem. Used a hodge podge of parts for front brakes. Factory hubs with Dakota 4x4 front rotors and fabbed brackets to use with the slider A body calipers. Used the Econo springs as well.

 

[408 swinger]

 

[Budget mopar guy]

Aside from the leaf springs. Do you think this would be a good option

47-54 Chevy Truck front axle with Nova spindles, break rotors and breaks. Leaf springs

47-54 chevy truck straight axle and Nova brakes, spindles, rotors , and lowering leaf springs. Call1-607-738-9807

www.facebook.com

 

[PROSTOCKTOM]

While you're inquiring about the front axle you might as well consider the rearend as well.

Dollar for dollar I think it's hard to beat a Dana 60

I have used several Dana 60 & Dana 61 rearends in my projects over the last 4 decades.

Once you get a set of 35 spline axles in one you just never have to worry about any issues.

Factory OEM Dana 60 gears are as good as it gets quality wise. So much so I have no issue running nice used sets.

Tom

 

[71GSSDemon]

Aside from the leaf springs. Do you think this would be a good option

http://[URL]https://www.facebook.com/share/17bNmtdB55/?mibextid=wwXIfr

[/URL]

Depending on the overall width. It will have the chevy 5x4.75 lug pattern. Good price. Would need to sort out the springs, steering plans, etc

 

[Newbomb Turk]

View attachment 1716492999

Love the car. Love the patina.

MOST EXCELLENT!

 

[71GSSDemon]

I would highly recommend joining The Hamb forum and finding/friending some of the guys from Brew City Gassers or Southestern Gassers. They know best, do it all the time and are brutally fast. There are talks of spring shakles on the front vs rear of spring, what steering (straight or cross) panhard bars, etc. Be safe about it.

 

[408 swinger]

To add to the convo, this has an 8 3/4, 4.56 gear. Econoline has the 4 1/2 bolt circle.

 

[melcardona]

Aside from the leaf springs. Do you think this would be a good option

http://[URL]https://www.facebook.com/share/17bNmtdB55/?mibextid=wwXIfr

[/URL]

same style i used....i would mesure your frame...center to center then hunt for an axil that is same or very close on the spring mounts...and you should not have to cut and weld one ..the older trucks where narrower if you need..???

 

[408 swinger]

same style i used....i would mesure your frame...center to center then hunt for an axil that is same or very close on the spring mounts...and you should not have to cut and weld one ..the older trucks where narrower if you need..???

Econoline and A100 will be some of the narrowest I Beam style axles, I believe. It's actually pretty easy to narrow one. If you have the tools anyway.

 

[65TerrorCuda]

Other than looking killer, what's the advantage to the straight axle?

I've thought of doing the gasser look myself

 

[melcardona]

Other than looking killer, what's the advantage to the straight axle?

I've thought of doing the gasser look myself

no advantage for street other then loosing weight.. .when done correct (the geometry ) they handle like a go kart...but remember....because you give up independent suspension...they WILL track into truck ruts....but are great on good roads...as for the track.....it was all about traction at the launch and making the car lighter