I recently bought this 1948 Desoto Coupe from a fellow club member. It came without engine and tranny. The Interior is flat out pristine. The glass is all there. I was told when I bought it that there was a Ford Engine, I think 302. And someone along the way had tried to make a rack and pinion. But the plans for this ride is as follows: I want to remove this front end and replace it with a s-10 front end. The engine is I want and measure the compartment last night, Im thinking the LA 273 v8. 9R4 torqueflite would be clean. I was thinking of making this '40s ride into a "tail dragger" so my buddies and I will make our own 4 link. The rear end has seen better days but i need to get some measurements to find a good replacement. Later down the road, make my own skirts. I have NO intentions of chopping it, shaving, decking, etc. Then put WWWs with baby moons and beauty rings. Anyways, Thanks for Reading!
Leave the sock front alone. You can get disc swap kit from www.rustyhope.com and then go to fatman for dropped spindles. NO shortage of Mopar v-8 swaps with the stock steering box/column. If you must clip the front then look at the Dakota, at least the engine will be an easier install. A couple of Dak clips over at www.p15-d24.com .
Oh hell no.........All you need is a front shock relocation kit and a cav R&P with your disc brake kit of choice......rustyhope, scarebird, and AAJ all make good brake kits. And you will end up with a vastly superior IFS to the S-10. Also you won't have to fabricate new sheetmetal mounts for your front clip.
Looks like a cool car. Would look fantastic as a late 40s era traditional custom aesthetically. In my opinion, swapping front clips onto old cars just isn't worth the effort..
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