• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

advice on front suspension options?

whiteknuckler

whiteknuckler

Well-Known Member
Local time
7:06 PM
Joined
Jan 20, 2013
Messages
63
Reaction score
41
Location
Guilford, NY (upstate)
I have a nice "driver" 1964 Plymouth Sport Fury. Stock 383, automatic, 3.23 rear, disc brakes all around, torque thrust wheels. Front end is mostly original and wore out. Looking for options to make even more of a pleasure to drive. I put a Hotchkis in my 69 Coronet and very happy with that, but I do not think they make one for 64 Plymouth. I am not looking for the cheapest thing out there, but also not looking to put $6-8 k into front end. Anybody have any advice for a winter project for me? Thanx, Jack.
 
Tubular upper control arms to get as much caster as you can. A good set of shocks , qa1 , Viking, bilstien. Boxed lower control arms for strength . Sway bar. And firm feel or steer and gear upgraded steering box. It’s really that simple :lol:, Firm Feel might be your only option being an early B body.

My 68 GTX is just that, I have it jacked up in the rear 70s style and probably too small of a front tire , I can still confidently take corners , it’s super stable in a straight line , and it doesn’t jar you around like a dump truck
 
Everything Cheapsunglasses said and add in some 1.03" PST torsion bars.
 
Go with Quality , Stock Replacements —- they were fine for the first 50 - 60 years of these vehicles….

I can supply you with all 17 items in Top Notch Quality for under $ 1000……

Craig….
 
The Hotchkis package will work from the 69 listing with the exception of the frame connectors and rear springs. The rear springs can be used however if you get the front spring hangers that are made by AR Engineering. They can be had through Mancini and Firm Feel. The front and rear length segments of the 64 compared to the 69 are different, but if you get those hangers, you're good to go.
1964-65 Plymouth B-body | AR Engineering
 
Replacing your wear items, bushings/joints/tie rods/arms along with better shocks/ new torsion bars/new springs/sway bars, makes a big difference. Brother Craig, post 5, can hook you up on quite a bit of US made, quality stuff. And he's more or less in your hood. Your purchases will get dictated by how much you want to spend and how far you want to go. Basic upgraded items won't put you into the poor house, especially if you DIY on as much as possible. As you've probably seen, there are many options to go with on front ends. But you're looking at $4G+ just there depending on who's you go with. Some are better than others. But...what about the rest of the car? Staying with oe based but upgraded components are your best monetary options.
 
I agree with everything already said, however I would also offer the following alternative which will definitely make the car handle better but not as good as the above suggestions.

- Rebuild the front end with a full kit like one from PST ($567)
- Have the steering box rebuilt to a Stage 3 from Firm Feel ($525)
- Get a quality set of shocks - all 4 ($550 from Firm Feel)
- Install a good front sway bar like a Hellwig ($467 from Jegs)

If you just did the above AND you have good tires the car will handle better than it ever has. Its not road race ready but could probably do ok on an Auto Cross (not competitively).

I go "all in" on all my cars complete with subframe connectors, torque boxes, and all the things mentioned above BUT unless you are really driving the car hard and/or tracking it I do not think you need all of the other stuff especially if this is just a cruiser/driver.
 
Last edited:
^^^ The “ kits “ don’t have all 17 items either …. ^^^
( not even bringing up U.S.A. !!! )
 
QA1 and Proforged on my 64.

Proforge (1).png
 
I'm not sure what you're asking for in "pleasure to drive." Do you want a modern car feel? Do you want it tightened up but still soft? Is it a cruiser or do you want to compete in an autocross? How hard do you want to drive it?

It's incredible what a change in feel happens with just replacing all the worn out front end parts. I push my car hard and autocross it and that change alone made it feel like a completely different car. I myself added front and rear sway bars. Still on stock torsion bars and leafs. Stock steering box too. I'm very happy with my car's balance and cornering capabilities and still maintaining a very comfortable ride.

You can get crazy with bigger springs, torsion bars, stiff shocks, tubular upper arms, etc to get that modern feel if you want. But I'd guess you won't like driving it as much because it won't be nearly as comfortable.
 
Bilstien shocks, bigger torsion bars.

The bigger torsion bars actually did more in the front for ride/handling than the shocks.
I had installed the shocks first.

Bilstien in the rear made all the difference, already had Espo springs and a swaybar.
 
Per your details: "I have a nice "driver" and "Looking for options to make even more of a pleasure to drive." Ok, you don't need all the fancy, expensive stuff. Sure, they're great without question for their intended purpose. I think Rusty said it best :It's incredible what a change in feel happens with just replacing all the worn out front end parts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

44070dart
1964 Plymouth Fury Need front suspension advice
Replies
5
Views
791
66four40
66four40
1970Bee
383 build advice
2 3
Replies
40
Views
3K
OMTWF-72SE
OMTWF-72SE
Migsbig
How should a reproduction fender tag w/options should look like?
3 4 5
Replies
85
Views
9K
myfeather626
myfeather626
Brutalowner
Charger build discussion
2
Replies
20
Views
2K
Brutalowner
Brutalowner
Boeckallen
71-74 Dodge Coronet 4dr Front Passenger Glass Substitute
Replies
6
Views
809
Boeckallen
Boeckallen
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top