5 Must Have Mods for Your Vintage Ride?

Duster.

Quick walk around vid of GTX

Cojohnso1 said:

Cuda project

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I think you have to small of a tire on the back end

davek said:

I think you have to small of a tire on the back end

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Lol. It was what I had to roll car around. 32" x 15" at least it demos what is too big for stock length Dana rear? Just rubs a bit on stock style spring. I believe with correct backspacing? A 12.5" wide tire can fit. 15"? Not really close. (In 1970 12.5" would be a big tire. Today? Still small tire car.)

I opted for the Electronic Ignition, Front Disc Brakes, 11 1/2" drum rears, Modified sound system, the Mad Electrical upgrade and ammeter by-pass, and wired in some relays for the headlights for a more continued electrical flow to them so they won't flicker. Where Hagerty misses it, is that any and all upgrades for safety and reliability are an added plus especially in today's driving world. Personally, those that still rely on the old single pot brake fluid reservoir, and not upgrade to a dual one are asking for trouble in stopping ability as drum front brakes are not what they used to be. When it comes to power brakes both disc and drum, an upgrade to a dual diaphragm power booster is also a plus. All in all, it is the owners and drivers choice to do what ever they want. After all, it is their ride!!! cr8crshr/Bill

i did all those items Hagerty listed. adding cup holders to my Coronet was on my must have list.


watermelon

I have all 'but the EFI' Plus some
I've always had electronic ignition on everything
disc brakes upfront is a great safety item too

all good recommendations for modified/mildly modified cars

I'm contemplating doing the
surge tank & self tuning 6bbl EFI from FiTech too
& upswept SS style headers with a 4-2-1 Scavenger collectors
for added 'extreme drivability' in all altitudes up here

the $2,000+ hit is the biggest thing,
I got over that in my 6bbl set up now

For sure all the ones currently shown, especially brakes. We have way more go now, can't rely on old systems to slow down the cars safely enough now. Especially with distracted drivers and pedestrians around. One other item for upgrade, the entire electrical system. Was state of the art then, questionably, but most are causing gremlins now and don't handle add-ons too well. Plus they didn't have enough grounds back then.

Foot gas pedal didn't make the list?

By Dibbons

Hagerty List:

Electronic Ignition, Brake Upgrade, Electronic Fuel Injection, Charging System Upgrade, Insulation

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I think a lot depends on where you live and my personal taste which I’m sure differs from others leans towards other items not listed.

As long as you can get a quality replacement part, I see zero issues with running points. But replacement parts of quality may be an issue.

The factory brakes are fine but not as good as modern day systems. So I have to drive my 4 cornered 9 inch drum Duster a wee bit farther back behind someone and I don’t drive as fast as normal traffic does. It seems this basic logic of care and concern for safety is forgotten.

If you can maintain & tune a carb, I so reason for F.I.

The only reason I’d upgrade the charging system is to help the item they didn’t list and that would be my radio. I love a great sounding system and that I add on some amplifier’s. But not all of my old rides have a radio in other turning on.

Adding insulation is a plus. But I never bothered.

Depending on where you live and when you drive, (season) the insulation is a help for the heat and cold outside. I myself would like to upgrade a car of mine with modern A/C. The OE stuff was dismantled years before I got the car and 90% is missing. The heater box is half destroyed. So insulation is a big plus for the far end of the seasons temps.

I think better must haves is a upgrade in suspension and tires. These two will IMO serve you better in driving the car down the road or interstate.

Of those 5, I've done all in the past.
Currently on Fred, the only one is electronic ignition - but I do that to all the Mopars I've
owned over the years and always with the orange box, since they're all street cars.
Set it and forget it...
I guess you might consider the Porterfield brake shoes I just put on him to be an "upgrade"
also?
Lookit, we have modern cars to have all the usual "upgrades" - I like old Mopars for being,
well, old Mopars.

Mag wheels

Stereo

Purple Hornies

Tach

Headers