Thread: 35 desoto sf airstream four door flatback

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The 1937 frame shown at the bottom is the same as the frame in a 1936 Dodge coupe that I have.

Thanks Charliebob, i printed this diagram and compared it to the 35 desoto. There is quite a bit of difference,but i may be still able to graft front horns to desoto chassis. The Desoto had indapendant front end and this may be why in the diagrams there was a difference in the front kickup between the two. Does anybody have a 35 Dodge diagram to compare?

Some of the mid-1930s Mopar models had independent suspension and some had straight axles. The Dodge frame in the bottom of the diagram is for a straight axle. I think the frame in the upper part of the diagram is for an independent suspension. I do not have details on model differences, but the 38-40 front may be what you need if you want to use a stock independent suspension.

Thanks charlie bob,but no i will be using the mitsubishi L300 front end as they are a good unit to install and still easy to get.They are a good track width (narrow), and some people leave the brakes alone as they are ford pattern 5 on a 4.5 same as falcon's. In the 70's,80's etc we used to install hk/ht/hg holden front ends which took a lot of work and you had to update the brakes,also they were wide and caused track problems. Not to bad say in a fat fender ride . My 39 sedan has one with holden commodore steering rack(narrowed) and hq holden brakes,handling is so so, but back in those decades not much choice in Aus. They are hard to find now.Do you have L300 front ends in USA?. My 37 ford coupe ute has one iv'e installed allready and was quite easy to do, and the 86 falcon stub axles were a good swap as was the 97 falcon power rack.
My brother has a 35 dodge du sedan and a dv sedan, i will go and take measurements and photo's from he's rod, the L300 front end in his dodge has been great and is a good fit. I know in USA you have a great choice in aftermarket front ends exspecially mustang 2, but here after market front ends cost an arm and a leg,we can use jag front ends in fat fendered cars as well, but they can be exspensive.

Mycoola,

We don't see many of the Mitsus over here, and I never cared for the Mustang II suspension. My solution has been to use the IFS (and IRS) from 1990s Lexus SC and LS as well as Toyota Supra models that are available in much of the world. The ones I have used are from the JDM market and cost only about $500 complete in the US. They have the 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern, but require a high offset wheel. Width with stock wheels is about 70" outside tire bulge to outside.

Stock, the front suspension is too wide for most of the 1930s cars. The first one I use was for a 1936 Nash, which is about 4" wider than the Dodge. Since I had to make the frame, I just made the stock front suspension a complete bolt-it.

My current project is the 36 Dodge coupe. For the Dodge, I had to narrow the width by 4.75" which meant fabricating a cross member. Found a Corvette rack with the right width. Big welding project!! I retained the front frame rails, but in retrospect, it would have been easier to fabricate new front frame and graft it on.

BTW, I have 2 RHD racks for these suspensions!! No call for them in the US! LHD Lexus racks bolt right in.

Pics of the Nash and Dodge below.
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