Hello all! I'd like to run a quick reality check by the group....
I've had my '73 Dart for almost 20 years now, and have a pretty hot 225 in it with a T-5 conversion (you can find the details on that in other threads). Suspension is pretty much stock, with upgraded springs, shocks, etc - it's got the '73+ discs on it.
Unfortunately, it has body issues - rear quarter is damaged, rear door is damaged, vinyl top has rust under it, interior has seen better days. I've gotten a quote on the body/paint work, and it's not cheap....
That sent me looking, and I've potentially got a line on a 2 door '63 Valiant that has great body/paint and interior, but is mechanically a bit worn... for significantly less that than just the body work my '73 needs. So, I'm pondering if a better course of action is to abandon my '73 (
), and swap all the running gear into the Valiant.Naturally, I have to re-do my work on the T-5 conversion, but that's no problem. I think I can swap over everything (A-Body width 8 1/4 sure grip, XHD leafs, cop car rims, front discs, UCA's, LCA's, torsion bars, etc). Add in some frame connectors, and I have a prettier, lighter version of the same car.
Only things that I think don't interchange will be K-Frame, idler, pitman arm, center link, sway bar... is that a correct understanding?
One thing I'm concerned about is the early idler arm design - vision has always been a sort of 'modern sport sedan' vibe - so stiffened springs, more modern rubber (I may eventually look at 17's or 18's for wheels since tires selection is becoming so poor for 15's). Is that a recipe for disaster, and is there anything I can do about it?
What do you guys think about the viability of that plan?