Suspension rebuild and disc brake swap...by a noob for noobs
Before I move on to the front end, here's the parts list for the rear end swap:
- 8 1/4" rear end with u-bolts, shock plates and drive shaft, B&B Salvage (off a '74 Valiant)
- leaf springs and bushings, ESPO
- shock absorbers RockAuto
- differential cover gasket, Pep Boys
- rubber gear case bumper, Silke's
- Gorilla "acorn" lug nuts #41187HTB, Amazon
- Gear oil, Pep Boys
- 10" backing plates, struts, and parking brake levers, B&B salvage (off a '70 Satellite)
- 10" drums, jet.com
- shoes, RockAuto
- Wheel cylinders, RockAuto
- drum brake spring kit, RockAuto (one kit covers right and left)
- self-adjusting hardware kits, RockAuto (separate kits for right and left)
- 25' of nickel-copper brake line, Amazon
That list does not include the rims and tires. Some notes on parts:
- When you go to a larger differential you'll need a shorter drive shaft. I guessed the donor car's drive shaft would be the right length because it came off a 74 Valiant 4-door which has the same 111" wheelbase as the '74 Dart. I was right but unfortunately it was bent. I ended up taking my existing driveshaft to be shortened at a driveshaft shop.
- You need new lug nuts because LBP uses 1/2" threads, but SBP uses 7/16".
- Gorilla lug nuts come in packs of 4, so you need 5 packs.
- The rubber bumper is what people sometimes call a pinion snubber.
- New rear wheel cylinders come with smaller bleeder screws with 7mm hex. If you can find some good used ones I'd recommend rebuilding them instead of replacing.