66 Dart Suspension Mods This page, just like the Dart itself, is under construction.
(8/14/01)
The Dart originally came with 13" wheels, 10" drum brakes with the 4" A-body bolt pattern, "teardrop" master cylinder, a 7.25" rearend, and 273 T bars. Years ago, I changed over to a 8.75/3:55 rear and converted to a dual master cylinder when I rebuilt the front end. During this build-up, I plan on running 17x8 Mustang Cobra or Bullitt rims, with Kuhmo track tires and Falken street tires. 4 wheel disk brakes with the fronts being Viper/Brembo 4 puckers, aluminum 15/16" Master cylinder, at least big block T bars, heim jointed strut rods, adjustable tubular upper control arms and either a panhard bar or Watts Link out back. I am also going to install a MP 3" spring relocation kit, as well as frame connectors, and driveshaft loops in front and back.
Here is the installation of Mopar Performances 3" spring relocation kit. The only problem that I really had was a self made one. The rollover units mounts were in the way on the pass. side and called for a little grinding. One hint: Measure, measure, measure!
These pics show the layout of the cut. Unfortunately, my template wasn't sitting quite square so I ended up cutting off more than I really needed to towards the rear of the car. I added a couple of pieces to bring the bracket in line and square. I missed the section in the (crappy) instructions that said to drill the holes before tacking the spring bracket to the frame.
The last pic is of the drivers side mount trimmed and pretty much finished off. Notice the holes drilled BEFORE installation. The pass. side took me 3 mornings. The drivers side... about 3 hrs to get to the point pictured.
I am converting the Dart over to 4.5" pattern all of the way around. I was going to use '73 spindles/control arms and large bore '76 sliding calipers, but have decided to go with Viper calipers and the "12 inch" rotor conversion kit from AR Engineering. The spindles will be flipped side to side to relocate the calipers to the rear like the early A body calipers were for sway bar clearance. I installed Moog offset upper control arm bushings in the upper control arms, and Urethane bushings in the lowers, but will plan on using adjustable tubular uppers. I am also swapped out the 273 T bars for the 65 Convertible, and plan on at least MP 383 bars. I also plan on boxing the K frame for extra rigidity and also convert from power steering to manual. Right now I have a 24:1 box and may change it to 20:1. Everything except the K frame has been powder coated either "cast iron" or "stamped steel" and is waiting to go! I will probably coat the K frame with POR 15 and then paint it gloss black.Homemade Sway Bar Brackets
When I first started getting ready for the brake swap (when I was just going to swap on the brakes in a weekend), I didn't think that I could use the 66 swaybar with the 73 up calipers. I've since learned that I can swap the spindles from side to side so that the calipers mount on the rear instead of the front. Unfortunately, I had already blasted, powder coated, and installed new bushings in the 66's stock control arm. Instead of waisting all of that time and work, I made a set of brackets using a stock sway bar LCA (that I'm going to use on the convertible) as a pattern.
In the left pic, the top control arm is a stock sway bar arm and the bottom is a standard arm. I made cardboard templates of the stock bracket and welded the pieces to the bottom arm.
All done! The hardest part is the indention that the bushing sits in. I formed a depression in the bracket by heating it and using a large socket underneath and a smaller socket and hammer to form it.Drop me a line!
Site Links.
65 Dart Convertible Pages
/Convertibles Engine Swap /
Floorpan Replace / Spitfire Header Installation / 65 Dart 3" Exhaust /
55 F-100 Pages
/ 55 Ford F-100 / 55's Framework / 55's Interior / 55's Frame Redo (under construction) /
Todd's 1966 Chevelle Convertible
