Author Topic: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?  (Read 2893 times)

Offline glovemeister

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Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« on: October 29, 2013 - 11:20:10 PM »
Looking at getting a wrecked newer car for my hemi/trans. Also gonna steal whatever else I can get interior wise.

Just was curious as to if anyone had ever swapped the front or rear suspension and steering onto an ebody, or what kind of hassle it would be?
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Offline brads70

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2013 - 07:45:26 AM »
There was a Challenger at Carlisle last year that parked right in front of the club tent that had the suspension from a charger/challenger installed. LOTS of work.
Brad
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Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2013 - 08:37:47 AM »
Did anyone talk to the guy? I'm wondering if he realized any serious advantages, or if it was more of a "I just want to show that it could be done" kind of thing.


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

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Offline HP2

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2013 - 10:42:25 AM »
I would think it to be a great big hassle. Dimensionally the cars are different, so you would need to re-engineer the geometry for it to avoid any weirdness when in motion. Could it be done, sure, but it is far from a bolt in deal and it isn't even close to a duplicate the alignment and weld in either.


Offline glovemeister

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2013 - 12:15:49 PM »
I would think it to be a great big hassle. Dimensionally the cars are different, so you would need to re-engineer the geometry for it to avoid any weirdness when in motion. Could it be done, sure, but it is far from a bolt in deal and it isn't even close to a duplicate the alignment and weld in either.

Interesting.

Thanks for the advice everyone. If anyone hears from the guy from Carlisle please post it up.
1971 Challenger RT

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2013 - 12:18:24 PM »
I believe the rear suspension is all on a cradle , diff control arms & all except the strut towers , not sure how the width would work out , I did see a thread on using the whole front cradle but it was major surgery

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Offline Jesus H Chrysler

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2013 - 12:25:45 PM »
I looked at the car and spoke with the owner briefly.  It appeared to be well done (meaning LOTS of work)  He said he didn't have MDS and got 18-20 MPG.  If your car is a basket case and needs major surgery anyway, I can see incorporating the new stuff.  But I don't think anyone is making a bolt in kit to put the Mercedes suspension under a muscle car. 
Yes I own a 1972 Dodge Challenger Convertible T/A S/E with a 440 Six Pak. Can it get any more wrong?

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1972 Dodge Challenger convertible 440 5 speed.
1973 Dodge Challenger 318 "Brown Bomber"
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Offline glovemeister

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2013 - 01:02:50 AM »
Thanks for the info/advice everyone. Basically my car has no motor, trans, or trans x member, no driveline. Rear axle I think has issues. Front steering /suspension needs work. Interior will be custom.

I just anticipated since I was going to be getting an entire car ( newer charger or challenger) I could swap everything over and take care of everything.
1971 Challenger RT

Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2013 - 01:08:47 AM »
I think you can, but using the phrase "swap everything over" makes it sound a lot easier than it's going to be. I think you can anticipate 100s of hours of effort, including a lot of modification and fabrication.

I had thought about this a while back myself, particularly with an eye toward moving the AWD drivetrain from a 300 under a classic e-body. Tons of effort for iffy benefits.


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

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Offline HP2

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2013 - 10:31:33 AM »
if you are picking up the new car for its engine, trans and electronic controls and you just happen to have the suspension and a lot of time to work it out, you could look at its feasibility.  If you were buying the new car for just the suspension, it would be much more cost effective to pick up the Alterkation of Hotchkis kits instead.

Just my opinion.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2013 - 01:35:48 PM »
it might be simpiler to just cut the whole floor out of the newer car & graft the older body onto the lower frame

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Offline edl94

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2013 - 09:33:31 PM »
It would be cool if you could install the whole dash with nav and all the other modern stuff along with the hemi and tranny. Is the width of the dash close to the older e body?

Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #12 on: November 01, 2013 - 03:40:51 AM »
Some folks have used the seats.


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

- Han Solo, Star Wars

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Offline johns cuda shop

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #13 on: November 01, 2013 - 07:37:37 AM »
All Great points, Check this guy out how he put a 70 Roadrunner on a new charger chassis  http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=7354411&an=0&page=1#Post7354411
71 Cuda Gen III Aluminum 426 Hemi T56 6 speed 4.10 8.75 Modified & Lowered RMS coilover suspension Wilwood discs

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Anyone swapped new dodge charger/challenger steering/suspension?
« Reply #14 on: November 01, 2013 - 06:48:51 PM »
Wicked build  :2thumbs:

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t