ok, its an odd question, but ive been wondering for a while... ive had my 72 swinger with 9" drums all around for 6 years now, and ive had volares, diplomats, gran furys... and ive wondered, since i want disc brakes (and the nice big discs on these cars stop on a dime, even though the cars are much heavier than my dart), couldnt i just take a k frame including all suspension components, and swap it onto the ol dart? with at least 15 years of further developments, like transverse torsion bars, large rotors, built in sway bar setup, control arms directly connected to the subframe etc.. would this really work? ive looked it over and it seems that a couple of the mounting points for the subframe are identical, and the others would need to be modified. also, it seems, though im not sure, that the wheels would end up an inch or two forward of where they are now... but this couldnt really be a bad thing, to more equally distribute weight as long as all clearances are considered. so, if im not mistaken, the only things to be done are to cut off all current suspension points from the frame and create mounting points for the rear of the k frame member. anyone have a clue if im missing anything? any insight would be appreciated. thanks.

daniel

grovermaker@juno.com

Hi,

The Volare K-frame is not a super great design especially toe changes during body roll.

The only real advantage over your Dart suspension is the brakes and they are very easily changed from a later dart (73-76 A-body or 73-74 E-body). The Dart system is much easier to correct toe problems, much lighter, probably stronger (upper A-arm mounts), etc, etc. If you want the spool (rather than pancake) mounts, you can swap a 73-76 A-body K frame. A huge advantage with the current A-body setup is the availability of various rate torsion bars. The transverse system only has one bar available as far as I know. The MP torsion bars are about $120 a pair from the right place. MP sway bars are about the same price. Converting to the big disc brakes is probably about a $100 deal (depending on usability of used rotors/calipers, etc).

Staying with the factory A-body design and parts, but upgrading to a later K-member and later brakes is a much better solution in my opinion.

my $0.02,
mark

mldingba@collins.rockwell.com

I would agree with Mark that this swap would not be the best way to go on a Dart.

I will also say that I do see the F-Body front suspension assembly and drive trains in a good number of older trucks and streetrods.
Seeing that the entire transverse t.bar suspension is "unitized", the assembly can be rolled under and adapted to many other chassis for a quick an easy suspension & brake system up-grade.

This is a good idea here, just use the idea and parts on something that really needs it, like an old Chebby truck or A108 Van which came with a straight axle / kingpin / drum brake front suspension.
DD