A question about frame dimensions Dodge vs Plymouth

[Alwayslookin1]

I'm wanting to check my frame dimensions on my 1969 Satellite and I found this pic here on the forum-Credit to Jeremiah who posted it on another thread.

My question is can these dimensions be used for Plymouth B-bodies. The research I did told me that the wheelbases are 1 inch longer on the dodge but I couldn't find any info regarding any other differences frame dimension-wise. Thanks for any help and insight into this

 

[YY1]

I've suggested that the "one inch" might be an advertising gimmick to suggest the Dodge was a superior brand.

Wheelbase was seen as sort of a status symbol in the 1960's.

Others have said the front hanger for the rear spring is different.

 

[R413]

Just get a Factory service manual for your exact car. It will have thousands of benefits throughout your car ownership.

There are many more differences From Dodge/Plymouth chassis structures.

 

[hunt2elk]

The Dodge wheelbase is 1" longer than a Plymouth 68-70. But they do it with different rear spring hangers front and rear. So the actual frame rails and floorplans are the same on both models.

 

[R413]

The Dodge and Plymouth frame rails are not identical. In 1967 on 2 door hardtops a Coronet quarter panel is 4” Longer than a Belvedere/Satellite. Not counting the quarter extension. So the frame rails and trunk floors must be longer.
The quarter extensions are different also.

I got an original factory trunk mat From a Coronet and I had to cut it off at the rear edge as it was too long to lay flat in a Belvedere trunk.

So get the book for your exact year and make of car or you may have the wrong dimensions.

 

[R413]

Here are photos Dodge vs Plymouth 2 dht quarter length
Plymouth is 85 1/2”
Dodge 89 5/16”

so just short of 4” differences in the sheet metal, not the extension.



read this link blow, scroll to post 11 for photos on Dodge vs Plymouth quarter extension differences.

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/trunk-extensions.191784/#post-911540570

 

[hunt2elk]

The Dodge and Plymouth frame rails are not identical. In 1967 on 2 door hardtops a Coronet quarter panel is 4” Longer than a Belvedere/Satellite. Not counting the quarter extension. So the frame rails and trunk floors must be longer.
The quarter extensions are different also.

I got an original factory trunk mat From a Coronet and I had to cut it off at the rear edge as it was too long to lay flat in a Belvedere trunk.

So get the book for your exact year and make of car or you may have the wrong dimensions.

Pretty sure if look above your post, I stated 68-70. I stated that because I am not familiar with 67's. So don't know where that came from and the op is asking about a 69 anyway. 68-70 frame rails ARE identical. The difference is the rear spring mount that is welded to the rail.

 

[dsd1967]

R413. The frame rails are the same length. Take a measurement inside the trunk for each model. I put a 69 charger trunk pan in my 67 Belvedere 4 door without trimming a thing from the pan. Hunt2elk is correct that the difference is in the front and rear leaf spring hangers

 

[R413]

OK maybe some are the same, but 67 Coronet and Belvedere are different. From what I’ve personally done I see differences with them.

Can we sit here and say all 68-70’s are the same? I would say that’s not very smart thing to tell others without verifying it.

I’m sharing my experiences with 67’s because that’s the specific info I have. FWIW

 

[Alwayslookin1]

Wow thanks for all the help everyone! I'm going to get a factory service manual for sure.

 

[moparmarks]

I have both 66 Dodge and 66 Plymouth rear frames drilled out from the cars and they are the same. I've also had several 68-70 Plymouth and Dodge frames drilled out and sitting next to each other and they are the same. Spring hangers are different as are the trunk extensions.

 

[moparmarks]

I have verified this several times with the frames removed from the cars, on the ground next to each other with a tape measure. My crash parts books also verify this too. I have found this to be true for all 62-74 frames

 

[hunt2elk]

Can we sit here and say all 68-70’s are the same? I would say that’s not very smart thing to tell others without verifying it.

I would say for B bodies that is a safe bet. A few years ago I replaced the rotted out rear rails of a 69 Charger with originals from a 68 Satellite. Perfect fit except I had to buy Plymouth rear spring mounts.

 

[odcics2]

Dodge Charger stock cars used a front Plymouth rear spring hanger. The rear was relocated on the rail.
Easy, fast way the get an “altered wheelbase” car slipped by the Nascar rule book.
The front k member and control arms also were moved.
Ingenious.

 

[YY1]

Bad logic to say that because QP is longer, then frame must be longer.

 

[dsd1967]

Bad logic to say that because QP is longer, then frame must be longer.

Your logic is the same as saying the front frame rails are different because a charger fender is different is a different length than a Belvedere fender.

Chrysler gave Plymouth and dodge the same underpinnings and doors and let the designers work around them. It doesn’t surprise me the quarters are that much different and I learned something new. The fact remains the frame rails are the same with exception of the spring hanger as moparmarks points out.

 

[dsd1967]

Oops I reread your post and you are saying the same thing as me.

 

[Fm3 Dart]

68-70 Dodge and Plymouth B body underbodies are identical except for one thing: The rear shackle tube is 1 inch further back on a Dodge. This is the tube welded into the rear frame rail outrigger, that the upper shackle bushings are in. The Dodge wheelbase was 1 inch longer due to the 1 inch longer leaf spring hanger, which is a bolt on part.

 

[YY1]

R413. The frame rails are the same length. Take a measurement inside the trunk for each model. I put a 69 charger trunk pan in my 67 Belvedere 4 door without trimming a thing from the pan. Hunt2elk is correct that the difference is in the front and rear leaf spring hangers

Did you also use a 68-70 gas tank?

The 66/67 trunk floor has a spare tire well and a different gas tank that basically interlocks with the well.
(as well as a side fuel filler)

The 68-70 trunk floors are flat and have a behind the plate fill (except Charger)

The exception is that 68-70 wagons use the 66/67 trunk pan (and gas tank).
The spare tire well is used as the 3rd seat foot well in 9 passenger wagons.
68-70 wagons also have side fuel fill.

I am 95% sure the 66/67 side fuel fill and the 68-70 Charger side fuel fill are very different.

 

[dsd1967]

Did you also use a 68-70 gas tank?

The 66/67 trunk floor has a spare tire well and a different gas tank that basically interlocks with the well.
(as well as a side fuel filler)

The 68-70 trunk floors are flat and have a behind the plate fill (except Charger)

The exception is that 68-70 wagons use the 66/67 trunk pan (and gas tank).
The spare tire well is used as the 3rd seat foot well in 9 passenger wagons.
68-70 wagons also have side fuel fill.

I am 95% sure the 66/67 side fuel fill and the 68-70 Charger side fuel fill are very different.

I did use a 69-70 charger tank so I could use the Belvedere fuel fill. I had to make a custom filler neck.

Long story short. I did a mini tub and wanted the exhaust all the way out the back. The 66-67 spare tire well wouldn't permit that, so I went with the flat floor and narrower 69-70 tank and ran the exhaust between the rail and the tank.