Daytona: Christmas break project: Front Suspension

[hemi68charger]

Well, thought I would undertake a project over the Christmas Break, rebuilding the front suspension on the Daytona. There was some wear and tear, but I'm a stickler on front suspension when I don't know how long its been under the car. Soooooo, I'm rebuilding it so I know for sure. Putting all new parts, bushing, joints, etc and even had the power steering gearbox serviced. So, the ole' girl should drive even better..  

Of course, I'll take this opportunity to clean things up and detail what I can to make her even better.. But, I'm not pulling a "Geno" on this.. 

1. All jacked up ready for the job.
2. Pretty much all yanked out
3. Fresh gear box
4. All the new goodies

[1970Moparmann]

Troy,

How far you going with it?  Shocks, torsion bars...ECT??

[hemi68charger]

Troy,

How far you going with it?  Shocks, torsion bars...ECT??

- Upper/lower-bushings/ball joints,
- inner/outer tie-rods
- idler arm
- pitman arm
- bumpers
- steering gearbox
- shocks
- detailing here and there

[1970Moparmann]

Troy,

How far you going with it?  Shocks, torsion bars...ECT??

- Upper/lower-bushings/ball joints,
- inner/outer tie-rods
- idler arm
- pitman arm
- bumpers
- steering gearbox
- shocks
- detailing here and there

What shocks? PST kit?

[tan top]

 

[moparstuart]

did you have them do the firm feel steering treatment
?   

[hemi68charger]

What shocks? PST kit?

Not sure.... Open to suggestions....

did you have them do the firm feel steering treatment
?   

Na.. It had a standard gearbox rebuild; new bearings, seals, adjustments, etc... He's done 3 former cars of mine and they all felt great ( granted, I had all of their front ends rebuilt too )........

[hemigeno]

               

But, I'm not pulling a "Geno" on this.. 

Wise choice, my friend.  If you ever decide you want to do that, save yourself the money and just have someone  .  Apart from the money issue, the effect is the same. 





P.S.  Looking good!

[Mytur Binsdirti]

I thought you were selling it? 

[hemi68charger]

I thought you were selling it? 

What's so funny? I am selling it (as long as I get what I want and the other Daytona's still available).. Does it mean I have to stop making it even better?

[1970Moparmann]

I thought you were selling it? 

What's so funny? I am selling it (as long as I get what I want and the other Daytona's still available).. Does it mean I have to stop making it even better?

Troy, can you change out the Torsion Bars and rear leafs for me.  You never know what will happen five years down the road will happen!

[hemi68charger]

Troy, can you change out the Torsion Bars and rear leafs for me.  You never know what will happen five years down the road will happen!

Change them to what? The beefer torsion bars? I can see that, make the cornering better. The rear leafs though, don't know if I want stiffer springs, it'll make the rear sit too high, no?

[FJ5WING]

Great project Troy! Im sure itll be done soon looking/driving awesome!

BTW, I LOVE my cars sitting a little high on all four corners! Of course I dont want a 4x4 looking pile either.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

What shocks? PST kit?

Not sure.... Open to suggestions....

The RCD Bilsteins are well worth it IMHO

[pettybird]

I'm also saving pennies for the RCD shocks.  If you're not getting those, just get some parts store stuff.


I put the .96 bars in the B5 bird and it definitely made it drive better.

[hemi68charger]

I'm also saving pennies for the RCD shocks.  If you're not getting those, just get some parts store stuff.


I put the .96 bars in the B5 bird and it definitely made it drive better.

Dang guys !!!  You're making me wanna get the "REAL" good stuff... I have a friend with a '69 Charger R/T with the .96's and it does drive and corner better....... I'll investigate the shocks........ 

Oh !!!  the peer pressure..........   

[Mytur Binsdirti]

I thought you were selling it? 

What's so funny? I am selling it (as long as I get what I want and the other Daytona's still available).. Does it mean I have to stop making it even better?

Making it better for the next owner; I can respect that.   

[Ricomondo]

May I ask who did your box rebuild? Was it Steer and Gear?

[1970Moparmann]

Making it better for the next owner; I can respect that.   

Troy, I would prefer the .96 bars when I buy your car. 

[hemi68charger]

Making it better for the next owner; I can respect that.  

Or,,,, better yet, for me if I end up keeping it..............  

Making it better for the next owner; I can respect that.  

Troy, I would prefer the .96 bars when I buy your car.  

Well, the F6 I want won't be "for sale" forever... So, if you wanna act, better do it soon.......  I'll take the $125K and your Superbird..  

[hemi68charger]

Got some goodies in the mail today;
1. the proper diameter pitman arm - 1 1/8" (words of advice, make sure you measure the O.D. of your gearbox, not all are the same. There are two main sizes, 1 1/16" and 1 1/8"). I ordered a pitman arm from RockAuto and it was the smaller of the two and my gearbox is the 1 1/8"..... So I found the proper ones from Rick Ehrenberg. He has both sizes. I ordered two, 1 for the Daytona and 1 for the eventual rebuild on the 500.

2. Ordered from Jaime a few proper detail items to "spruce" things up a little
- proper 3-stud castle nuts for the suspension
- proper sway arm links and bushings
- proper eccentric
- firewall steering column flange gasket

So, after Guard Duty this weekend, I get to have some fun putting them all together unless I can't hold back tomorrow after work.. 

[maxwellwedge]

Save the original components and stick them in a box for a rainy day - I like to re-use the original correct stuff if it isn't shot.

[hemi68charger]

Save the original components and stick them in a box for a rainy day - I like to re-use the original correct stuff if it isn't shot.

Unfortunately, the front components to the Daytona have been replaced somewhere down it's 40+ year life ( I'm assuming so since the castle nuts where the 6 notch variety and the zerts were still intact ).... Regardless, like you mentioned, I will save the good idler arm and tierods for the 500. I don't believe the original idler arm had grease zerts in them, no?

But, the 500's a different story, I believe that front end is original. All the castle nuts are the 3 notch versions......

[Patronus]

 

sorry for the crappy pic, Hotchkis shocks by Fox..

[hemi68charger]

sorry for the crappy pic, Hotchkis shocks by Fox..

Thanks for the input... But, I already bought some simple HD gas shocks ( in semi-gloss black already, how 'bout that )...... 

[Hoser2455]

I need to buy 4 new shocks for my car also.  I am considering the Bilsteins also.  Is there any certain one that they carry that really does look the most original.  Also any idea where the best buy on them might be?  Thanks.

[WINGIN IT]

I need to buy 4 new shocks for my car also.  I am considering the Bilsteins also.  Is there any certain one that they carry that really does look the most original.  Also any idea where the best buy on them might be?  Thanks.

Me too, need 4 all around, which ones to buy and where.

I checked Summit, and they had these, but the model years only go back to 71 , will they work?
Would probably paint them black.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/brand/bilstein/part-type/shocks-and-struts/make/dodge/year/1971/product-line/bilstein-b6-hd-shocks-and-struts?autoview=SKU

PST shows some listed for 69 500
http://www.p-s-t.com/s.nl/it.A/id.6375/.f?sc=12  $419 for four.  Not sure what they look like as the pic says it may not be actual shock listed.



What other options are out there?

[1970Moparmann]

From what I gather, original shocks are supposed to be black and the style of the Bilsteins.  The ones from PST might be closest on the market if you can get the decals off. 

Just a FYI, I put Edelbrock IAS (not making them now) on my 68 Charger, and are a nice upgrade.  I really like them!

Keep the comments coming.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I need to buy 4 new shocks for my car also.  I am considering the Bilsteins also.  Is there any certain one that they carry that really does look the most original.  Also any idea where the best buy on them might be?  Thanks.

I got mine from this seller on ebay last year...$395 for the set, free shipping & no tax.

These are a really good shock even for a mostly stock suspension like mine (just poly bushings in front)  More confidence over washboard surfaces on a curve over the cheapie Monroe shocks I had before....car used to wallow & skip around with those.   These shocks keep the car planted nicely.

Also the fronts do have a plastic dust boot like the rears do (not shown in the pic) and the decals come off fairly easy

http://www.ebay.com/itm/66-67-68-69-70-71-72-Dodge-Coronet-Charger-Super-Bee-RCD-Bilstein-Shocks-/230909839898?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35c34c8a1a

[1970Moparmann]

Sold.  These are going on the Bird.  Thanks!