I have decided to install a Slant/6 auto trans setup in my 50 Plymouth wagon using a Volare front frame and suspension. I'm wondering if there's anything to look for when buying a donor car? Is any one year or model more desireable than any other? Can it be any of that family, Volare/Aspen, Diplomat/Fury etc.? Any advice on rebuilding/adjusting the suspension/front end prior to install? Any literature available? Thanks for the help.

dodge47@att.net

The Volare (F-body) had the poorest engineered front suspension of any Mopar in the last 40 years. Your choice is dependant on track width. 1973 and up A and B bodies are a better choice, they had disc brakes available and a more reliable engine mount. The C-body would be the easiest swap as it is a subframe that unbolts, but ones with 6 mounts would be tougher to locate.

ceh52@quik.com

I've driven a LeBaron, and I thought it handled pretty good. Awhile back, they were real popular with the street rod crowd because you could install the suspension/disc brakes/stg engine X- member as a complete unit. I've never looked that hard into it, but there must be something to it.
I guess I'd look for Dip cop car, or a RoadRunner for the extra HD pieces.

fglmopar@aol.com

Any year F/M body would will work as they are all the same from the first Aspen ('76) through the last Diplomat/5th Ave. ('89). The torsion bars are all the same no matter what engine was installed. The only difference I'm aware of (and I just recently found this out) is the front sway bar. A HD version was available. Far as I know, even the brakes were the same through all of the years.

rt66john@yahoo.com

The F-body has bump steer, it's a litlle soft riding, but if you like the way an M-body rides then it's OK. I was at a salvage yard today, I saw that the small BMW uses McPherson struts, with no upper control arms, that isn't an ideal suspension either, and it's a high dollar German "sports" sedan.

The A and B bodies have an excellent front suspension but you'd have to fabricate the upper control arm mounts, the rear Torsion-bar mount cross-member can be cut from a donor car. I believe the C-body upper control arm mount is part of the subframe. Measure the tract carefully, the C-body might be too wide. It's hard to beat the A or B body setup, most new cars today only have upper struts which also serve as shocks.

Fat Man has Mustang II kits for older Mopars. But, do you know that the suspension on a 50-plymouth is already independent and can be tuned as well as the F-body setup? It can cost a good deal to have the steering box rebuilt, but otherwise it'll be easier to keep it stock.

I'd really like to try an A-body on my '50 pickup. I really like the '50 Suburbans. Check out this one : http://home.att.net/~mopar.parts/suburban.html

Charlie, if you are anywhere near the Dallas/FW area, I have a 79 Aspen front suspension that you can have, if you pull it.

I have a "b" car front suspension in my 51 DeSoto hard top.....I have installed a Volare suspension in a 66 D100 pickup,,,,,,my advice.go with the B car stuff....tidier....sturdier,,,,and a better frame rail fit,.