Johan body using the modern Lindberg chassis conversion for 62-63 Dodge

[gtx6970]

As posted elsewhere. I am building a 62 Dodge SS car  and have decided to use the modern Lindberg chassis 

 

Was asked to post my findings on how to do it 

I have both 62 and 63 Dodge Johan kits 

So Ive decided to post the conversion using both bodies  and their differences required.

 

1st off the chassis are not the same between the 64 Dodge kit and the 64 Plymouth kit. For this conversion Im using the Plymouth chassis on both . As the wheelbase seems to fit better AND its narrower and shorter OAL so it fits the bodies with less effort required by the builder.

 

1st up the Lindberg chassis in the Johan '63 Dodge body is practically a drop in. All I see that will be required is removing the molded in radiator support for the body.  Maybe have to move the rear axle ever so slightly forward at most a 1/32nd to 1/8th of an inch 

 

Edited 15 hours ago by gtx6970

[gtx6970]

2nd the comparisons between the 62 Dodge versus 63 Dodge is minor, but noticeable and thus require some mods to the chassis to use it in the 62 

White kit chassis is uncut in the '63

Painted kit chassis is modified in the '62 

The front section I've highlighted in black needs to be removed. On both ends to make it fit / Plus the sides rearward of the rear wheel house needs to be narrowed a touch

 

BTW, The angled ends where I have pointed with maker DOES not need to be done. I got a little over jealous making cuts 

 

[gtx6970]

On the '62 Dodge body. After grinding out the radiator support you need to open it up a little behind the head light area to get the Lindberg radiator support / inner fenders to fit down in it right

Shown modified beside a unmodified '62 Dodge body

This area does not need to be done in the '63 Dodge body, shown beside the uncut '62 Dodge body. In this picture you can see the bump in the 62 that the 63 does not have. This bump needs ground down some. Dont go to crazy and risk going thru the body,  as not much is required 

.

Best I can tell All that needs done to the '63 is remove the molded in radiator support 

Edited Friday at 09:38 PM by gtx6970

[gtx6970]

Wheelbase comparison between the 62 versus 63, is ever so slightly different . Enough to cause concern ? is up to the builder 

Will I shorten it/ alter wheelbase ? Not likely 

As well as Johan 63 Dodge chassis compared to Lindberg 64 Plymouth  chassis 

Edited Friday at 09:42 PM by gtx6970

[gtx6970]

I'll add here

If you use the Lindberg Plymouth as your doner using said kits inner fenders, You have to cut a portion from the body and glue to the inner fenders. Otherwise, you will have a huge gap in that area 

 

If you have a 64 Dodge parts kit. use the inner fenders from it.

As they are nearly the exact same except for shown missing area, Thus This mod is not required as the inner fender panel is molded complete 

Not a huge deal if you don't have the Dodge kit to part out. But every little bit helps

Myself I already had a Plymouth body cut up for a different build. So decided to just cut the areas out and glue to my inner fenders.

 

 

[FoMoCo66]

Nice work on that chassis swap! I love doing modern kit chassis under old hard to find kits. I actually put a amt 66 fairlane chassis in an annual 66 ford falcon. It had to be shortened a bit but sence they were based on the same chassis IRL with the fairlane being longer it is realy as correct as you can get.