1955 Dodge truck Restoration

55DodgeFan · #1 12-27-2004, 08:21 PM

I have a 55 Dodge pickup, it has a 6 cyl. in it now but I want to change it to a 440 that I have aquired.
I know the front end will not work for this.
Does anyone know what kind of frontend I could change it to.....ford,chevy,etc?

Also the rearend will have to be changed.........will a newer model dodge rearend fit in this truck......meaning width?

Thanks in advance

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55DodgeFan · #2 12-29-2004, 01:52 AM

71RoadRunner · #3 12-29-2004, 02:50 AM

Your best bet for finding that info is HERE.

55DodgeFan · #4 12-31-2004, 12:24 AM

Thanks..........I saw what I need yesterday in Street Rodder Magazine......but the advertisement did not mention a 55 Dodge truck.
It is a mustang II front end conversion kit...

But I don't have the magazine, and I can't find anything on there web site. I will just have to wait till next week till I am back to the place I saw the mag.

But if anyone knows of a company that sells this product or one like it please let me know.
Thanks!

Fifty5james · #5 01-01-2005, 12:28 PM

I think it depends on your preferance & resources. I have seen guys use a volare front suspension or Camaro/Nova sub frames.
If you don't want to go that way then getting a Mustang II suspension would be your best bet. I have a 1955 Dodge Coronet & I installed a Ford 9" rear diff. I measured from back plate to back plate to get my width. This gives me a stronger rear diff. & late model brakes & I can use my original wheels. I don't know what type of trans your planning on useing ,Trying to mate a big blk. to that old trans. might be a task. Just my 2cents worth.....James. (ps)Thats a good looking truck you have ,Good Luck.

55DodgeFan · #6 01-02-2005, 10:02 AM

Thanks Fifty5james..... The reason for the decision to go with the Mustang II frontend is just because it is easier to find, plus you get new parts instead of old used parts and also (power steering).
Mine will also have a ford 9" rear, for reliabilty.
The bigblock idea is not mine this comes from a friend of mine. I wanted to drop in a "sweet" running 318 that he has.
But I plan to have the top chopped. He said if I did that then the 318 would not have enough "attitude" for the appearence of the truck.
He has a few 340's sitting around but man......he won't hardly let me look at them let alone talk about buying one off of him.

Fifty5james · #7 01-02-2005, 12:30 PM

I ended up with a 360 ,I think with the right cam ,intake ,carb. & exhuast it will be able to hold it's own on the street.I have also got a 727 to go behind it ,I don't know what gears I'm going to run in the rear. If I can fiqure out how to post some pictures of my project I will keep everybody posted .I hope you do the same. Good Luck.............James.

mbmopar · #8 01-25-2005, 01:50 PM

have you ever considered a Volare/Diplomat front end swap? Easier to tune and adjust torsion bars, big brakes, easy part sourcing...cheaper and all MOPAR !
Looks like it would be a picnic from what I hear....I have some pics of the same swap on a 47 DOdge 1/2 ton...lookn easy enough.

I'd stay with an 8 3/4 rear end as well, the 9" is overkill (and that four letter word F**D)[:'(], and the 8 3/4 will take the power of a hemi automatic setup, you'd need a Dana 60 rear for a 440/426 4 speed setup.

For what it's worth, a MOPAR crate 360 would be a wise idea, 300 or 380 horse, all new and beats buying a 340 core for 1000 bucks that needs an expensive rebuild....300 horse are about 3100 US at the dealers...

Just some ideas...I've looked into the IFS swap as I have just bought a 56 Dodge 1/2 ton Poly V8 Factory POWERFLITE automatic...I'm thinking a factory straight axle with an early HEMI swap. Old skool Cool.

All of this is just my opinion mind you,
Keep us posted on your progress....and more pics!
Derek

mopar_man_11 · #9 03-16-2005, 09:21 PM

I've got a 59 Dodge D-100 and instead of chopping up the old frame and buying mustang II parts or Camaro etc etc. I dropped the body onto a 90 Dakota frame, went really good, wasnt that hard at all to do and it looks good. The 360, 727 and 8 1/4 power train I got went in there quite nicely and if I wanted to I could put a big block in there, I know this because there is enough room and I have seen plenty of Dakota frames with 440's 413's 400's heck even a 528 Hemi. I've got a couple of Dakota frames in solid shape that you could take off my hands. If your interested give me an email mopar_man_11@hotmail.com

murph · #10 04-02-2005, 12:14 AM

hey i have a 55 dodge pick up ...but sadly is sittin in my brother garage in calif right now ...but we put a diplotmat front clip on it ....and i did some checking as to a rear end ......87 dakota is about the same withd as the old one you have under it now ........ but for the power your gonna put in it i would go with a ford 9 inch rear end