welcome aboard, I am in the middle of a complete restoration of a 56 Dodge. For mine I am using an 8 3/4 rear from a 70 Charger. The width is right and you only have to move the spring perches, the plus side is that it is still all MOPAR. I considered a custom or modified front end but in the end I went with a disc brake conversion from AAJ Brakes, and decided that a good set of Gas Shocks and a heavier sway bar should result in a fine handling car. There is really nothing wrong with the front end geometry and if you re-build it (all the parts are readily available) there is very little sloppiness. ALthought I confes after owning 2 56 for at least 7 years i have never actually drove one! Scott 1956 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer
Hello, I am new to the Forward-look mailing list. I have always been a big mopar fan. I obtained a Chrysler 392 Hemi from a large '57 Dodge dump truck when I was 15, rebuilt and installed it into a '68 Cuda by the time I turned 18. Eight years later, I turned to the dark side and began messing with a '56 Chevy suburban, a '63 Nova wagon, a '68 Camaro and even darker - a '64 VW bug. However, I still have the Cuda and the motor is still running strong, but now, 18 years later, I want to put the Hemi into a 2-door '56 Plymouth wagon or coupe - I haven't decided which yet. I plan to keep the body stock, except to move the bumpers in closer to the body and any mods I might need to accept plenty of tread on the road. The drivetrain will have a standard (w/overdrive?) trans with a 9 inch Ford rear. I am especially interested in finding out what I can do to improve the handling and braking performance of these cars. I have heard that they are too narrow to accept a typical Mustang II front end. I haven't yet purchased my car, but I know that good things come to those who wait. I am very pleased with the resurgence of interest in the old hemis. Back in the mid eighties it was a lot harder to get any new parts for them than it is today. I take pride in the fact that I have never purchased a car newer than 1968 except to immediately part out. Nathan Nuttall Castaic, CA - Just North of Los Angeles -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2003 Calendar voting results and ordering information is online! Please visit: http://www.forwardlook.net/calendar2003 for more information.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2003 Calendar voting results and ordering information is online! Please visit: http://www.forwardlook.net/calendar2003 for more information. |
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