Just wondering, has anyone used a Volvo rear on their early A body.
Was looking for a rear to go with the bolt pattern of the frount brakes I'm going to use. While searching the self service wrecking yard near me, I measured a Volvo Wagon. The rear is very close to same track as my Valiant, has lower gears, the later bolt pattern, and Volvos are four wheel disc brakes.
I'm thinking, remove the coil spring pads, weld on leaf spring perches, have a driveline modified and were in busness.
The idea here is to make this old Valiant really nice, using mostly wrecking yard parts.
Any thoughts?

_________________
66 Valiant, 225.
84 Van, 225.
71 Maxi-Van, 318
60 Valiant wagon, 225
87 Maxi-Van, 318 4spd

Makes sense to me...but I like Volvos.

_________________
Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

My primary concern would be the bolt pattern. With Volvo being a European manufacturer there is a better than even chance that the bolt pattern is a metric size which may be close but not identical to a standard Mopar pattern. For example, more than a few people try to use the 5 on 100mm bolt circle wheel on an early A-body becasue they are close to the standard 4", but they are not close enough for safe and reliable operation. 112 mm will be close to 4 1/2", but not identical. Additionally, the lug bolts themselves will likely be a metric size and pitch. I see a lot of opportunity for major difficulties and little upside.

_________________
David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

120 Series Volvos are 5x4.5". Dad used to have a 122 he autcrossed and used wider Ford wheels. My '73 Volvo 145 was not 5x4.5", but is like the newer RWD stuff at 5x4.25". Not a good choice for wheels either especially since it doesn't match anything Mopar.

_________________
Joshua

I think there is some chance the bolt pattern is the same as Dakota....that would make a Volvo a good swap to replace a Dakota 7.25 diff.

Volvo wheels are 15" and have a different offset.

_________________
Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Dakotas are either 5x4.5" or 6x4.5". I have a '96 that is 6 lug and I have an earlier rear end to make it 5 lug. For the front I just need a pair of rotors. RWD Volvo 5 lug wheels fit no Mopars front or rear drive.

_________________
Joshua

I have a 88 Dakota here that is 5 x 4.25. Life would be much easier if it was 5 x 4.5 like the Valaint...but it aint.

_________________
Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

unless someone cobbled something together all Dakotas til 90 were 5 lug-on-4-1/2. NOT 5 on 4-1/4!

Maybe it's time to upgrade vehicles ya crazy Canuck.

_________________
Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Somebody did cobble this together.....Chryco Canada. I notice there is a pile of differences between Canadian and US Dakotas. I have never seen a Canadian carbed Dakota or a 4 cyl Dakota....or a 5 speed Dakota...(87-88)

Believe me...the wheels are not 5 x 4.5

_________________
Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

To the best of my knowledge the only V6 Dakotas that got carbs were '87s. I don't know about the 4s. I have the last year of the 1st Gen Dakota with the Jeep 2.5 and a 5 speed. It's an ok truck, but two of the 4 cylinder version of the AX-15 have given me trouble. Since I don't have emmisions testing where I live I was considering a slant for the truck. More legal though would be a 4.0 out of a Jeep.

_________________
Joshua

I'm having trouble figuring out how you'd put an inline 6 in a Dakota without some pretty major surgery. Mine ( '98 ) has a 5.2/318 V8 and clearance is pretty tight. Not saying it couldn't be done, but it would be a major project. I've seen pictures of a Dakota with a Viper V10 in it, but it appeared that the installation required extensive sculpting of the firewall.

_________________
David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

I measured our Dakota for a slant when the 3.9 V6 was giving us fits ( I have plenty 'o slants). There is just no sensible way to do this. I have done lots of swaps and this one just doesnt make sense. The slant is way too long for a Dakota....the oil pan is wrong...the trans wont bolt up....etc etc.

Actually I hate our Dakota......

_________________
Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Maybe it would work without the radiator...............

_________________
Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Relocate it to the bed. I saw it done on a Dakota with a Cummings Turbo Diesel in it.

_________________
70 Dart, 360, 727