Hi All-
It's amazing how fast time passes, especially the older one becomes. Labor Day weekend 2010, I began the front suspension rebuild on my 1971 Barracuda. Last weekend was the Cuda’s first time off the jack-stands, only three weeks shy of two years. I was worried that that Cuda’s frame may have melded with the metal jack-stands the car was sitting on for so long.
Why two years for a simple suspension rebuild? Well, between thee extreme cold, then hot, then cold, then hot temperatures; yard work; work at the office; doing stuff with & for the wife; time passes.
The car is a Barracuda with a hopped-up 318 and 904 with 2.75 diff non-sure grip. Brakes are manual drum type. No anti-sway bars. She’s just a standard, low-buck, Barracuda.
Enough background, let’s get to some Cuda-car details. The suspension was all original, so all of it was either rebuilt or replaced with MOOG front suspension parts, bushings, and bump stops. I was going to use the PST suspension kit, but my neighbor is an O’Reilly’s store manager and he insisted that I go with MOOG, and yes, I received a discount.
Upgraded Tie Rods from 9/16 to 11/16 (C-Body), added Lower Control Arm Stiffening Plate, upgraded Torsion Bar from 0.86 inch to 1 inch, and replaced all the other hard components (except for the steering link bar). Evidently the Cuda was in a head-on wreck sometime in her past life, the driver’s side strut rod was badly bent. Luckily I have a Mopar friend and got an original replacement by taking him out to lunch.
To finish off the front end, I added PST G-Max Pro Touring Anti-Sway Bar 1.25in. The mounting points are welded onto the control arm, instead of just bolted.
The Power Steering Gear Box was replaced with a remanufactured 1985 Dodge Diplomat Police series unit. I read here (someplace) that this particular unit will tighten up the steering. Replaced the reservoir and hoses, and added a power steering cooler I took off some kind of a big Chrysler some ten years ago in a salvage yard.
The back end was not neglected. The leaf springs were replaced with Mopar Heavy Duty pieces, and bushings replaced. I also replaced the U-Bolts with Mopar bigger ones. Also, installed the rear PST G-Max Pro Touring Anti-Sway Bar 7/8 inch.
All four corners have Edelbrock IAS Mono-Tube Shocks, in red to match the car.
The tires and Rallye wheels were original size 14 inchers. They were replaced with 15x8 In Rallye Wheels with Trim Rings; Front BFG 275/60/15, Rear BFG 225/60/15.
To finish off the bottom of the car, the differential was replaced. I posted that project here awhile back. Synopsys: upgraded to 3.58 Sure Grip (yes, 3.58; available on Dodge Trucks 1957-64). Casing is 741. The drive shaft was replaced before I bought the car. It’s some kind of aluminized material. Really pretty once cleaned up. Also, the U-Joints were replaced.
While I had the Cuda up in the air, it was the perfect time to address that manual braking system. It was upgraded with a SSBC power brake booster and all new brake lines. I should have upgraded to disk brakes, but, alas, they are still drums. O’well, gives me something to do next year.
So, last weekend, finally took the Cuda off the jack-stands. Pushed her onto the driveway and with a quick blast of carb cleaner, she started right up. Yes, the gas is two years old, but I did put a bottle of Sta-Build into the tank about a year ago.
Aside from the oil burning off the exhaust manifold, she sounded good; dual 2.5 inch exhaust with Cherry Bomb glass-packs.
What’s next? It’s just a matter of getting the car to Good Year for a front end alignment. Hopefully I’ll get that accomplished before Labor Day.
To everyone here at CC.Com, I just want to say thank you very much for your assistance. During the past two years I posted a lot of questions that ya’ll answered (and always answered quickly). Also, there’s a mountain of information in the archived (Home) section. Using the search function it was easy to find the information that you provided other Cuda & Challenger projects. Everyone here at the site may not have been in my garage and actually turning wrenches (probably not a good thing, we would’ve run out of beer) but you were there via your post. Again – Thank you.
