Early B body front suspension

[Geri]

is/has anyone replaced torsion bars with coil over front suspension using the shock tower and lower A arm from the factory? will the shock tower support the car with coil overs ,etc.thinking of really messing up the '64 I bought, upon further inspection, the entire underside is a patchwork of poorly made.installed replacements, deciding to tighten it up and make some changes. I could use some thoughts ,thanx

 

[493 Mike]

I don't believe the shock towers are strong enough to support the weight of the car or to properly distribute the road shock through the front subframe. They could be modified to perform such a task though.
Mike

 

[Darter6]

Look to spend big bucks to do it right.Gerst,Reilly Motorsports,are two that come to mind.

 

[Geri]

I I think you are right too ,there is no other support for the shock tower- they can be made though. thanks, I'm putting the car on a massive weight diet.
I don't believe the shock towers are strong enough to support the weight of the car or to properly distribute the road shock through the front sub frame. They could be modified to perform such a task though.
Mike

 

[dvw]

J bars tied to shock towers and tube upper A arms for clearance you'll be fine. Seen plenty doe this way.
Doug

 

[PST]

Hemi Denny does the type of set up that you are looking for.

 

[Geri]

J bars tied to shock towers and tube upper A arms for clearance you'll be fine. Seen plenty doe this way.
Doug

thanks to ALL for advice and insight, I have seen it done, wondered about safety..Ive seen pretty much every thing on cars -especially home built street rods- every see a brake master cylinder or steering box welded to the frame or firewall? I have~~ walked away quickly.

 

[Geri]

Hemi Denny does the type of set up that you are looking for.

thank you , a picture or 20 would be nice. : ) I tried to get to PST facebook but my computer started spinning so now I'm just PST off?

 

[PST]

Here is a link to his photo gallery:

http://www.moparsuspension.com/photo_gallery/?level=album&id=64

 

[Dan64]

Check out the AlterKation set up from Reilly motor sports.I don't think it puts the same load on the top of the shock towers as some of the others do. Still need to stiffen up that area , i used the front fender brace from us car tool ,hope that's enough as i am waiting for my order from Reilly to show up for my 64' Polara. Any thoughts from some of you guys that have done this ?.

 

[dvw]

It doesn't take as much structure as you would think. Look how little this modern strut suspension uses (Chris Alston Chassis works). And that is concentrating the spring,shock,and upper pivot load all in one spot. Most new tube cars have very little upper front end structure. What we run is built like a battleship.
Doug

 

[493 Mike]

It doesn't take as much structure as you would think. Look how little this modern strut suspension uses (Chris Alston Chassis works). And that is concentrating the spring,shock,and upper pivot load all in one spot. Most new tube cars have very little upper front end structure. What we run is built like a battleship.
Doug

View attachment 758325

That motor plate adds a lot of strength and I would think we are looking at chrome moly tubing?
Mike

 

[dvw]

Chrome moly is stronger. However when it's used, its thinner. Max CM required tube thickness is .083"vs.134" for ELW tube. Many CM cage tubes can be .053". Most cars with coil over would have a motor plate.
Doug