Mopar Straight Axle ?

[Jon Haigwood]

OK Mopararians, When putting a straight axle under a 64 Belvedere do they remove the entire K frame and fab in  motor mounts or just remove the steering linkage and spindle mounts ? 

[modelfink]

I'm not an expert, but I would say to fab a new, simplified front clip. Truck frame rails were also used. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

The answer is solely at the discretion of the car builder, but the optimum solution for building ANY straight-axle car is to get rid of the heavy front cross-member and carp that locates the OEM front suspension, and build something simple and light.

No real need to replace the front rails entirely, but that's always an option.

[mr68gts]

dump the k member and use elephant ears to mount the engine. Then straight axle away!

[6bblbird]

The answer is solely at the discretion of the car builder, but the optimum solution for building ANY straight-axle car is to get rid of the heavy front cross-member and carp that locates the OEM front suspension, and build something simple and light.

No real need to replace the front rails entirely, but that's always an option.

I agree, having seen it done a number of different ways. The factory (Amblewagon) built cars had the front rails replaced with box tubing and the cars used a lightweight, stainless steel K member. Using the stock K member enabled the builder to more easily use the stock steering box and steering linkage.

 

Steve Magnante's Dart is a good example of an awb with fabricated frame rails and a relocated. stock, K member.

Edited January 31, 2017 by 6bblbird