Restomod or Original OEM style?? - Feedback Appreciated!
So here's a little background info on my car and current setup.
My 74 Duster was originally a Slant 6, base everything model.
The previous owner stuck a V8 K-member in it, and gave me a 318 with an A904 transmission with it on the side. Both needed rebuilt.
I decided to go a different route. Instead I used a Roller LA360 From a 1990 Ramcharger and an A999 from a 1988 Diplomat, rebuilt and modded both. (I do have a 408 stroker I'm slowly assembling and will install it in later on)
For the suspension I did a Johnny Cash "one peice at a time" process:
The K-member ended being cracked and warped, I tried looking for another good K-member around here with no luck (A bodies are in short supply here in Utah, even in salvage yards).
So I ended up buying a QA1 tubular K-member. Which was on sale and only $465 at the time.
Eventually decided to get QA1 Upper control arms as the threads for one of the balljoints was stripped out on the original UCA's. Next year I installed PST's 1.03 inch Torsion Bar. I still had KYB shocks on at the time and the ride was so stiff it would rattle my bones.
Waited a few months and bought the QA1 Stocker Star NA front shocks.
Then 2 years later I bought QA1 Front sway bar. I also have the QA1 adjustable strut bars but haven't installed them yet. All the bushings are Prothane urethane.
The lower control arms are from a 1973 Dart, I used them because it has sway bar tabs, I welded steel plates between the two halves to stiffen up the pieces.
After all that, the handling improved by alot.
But honestly I probably only needed to change out the squishy torsion bars to the 1.03" or more one, upper control arms, changed the bushings to urethane and installed the front sway bar to improve the handling. As well as getting rid of the KYB shocks for something better.
The rear suspension is still original like it was 50 years ago, but soon that will change once I start installing the 8 3/4 quarter axle I'm building, All I'm doing is refreshing the rear springs, change out the bushings, install rear sway bar and put in better rear shocks (likely Bilsteins).
I am currently using 245/45R17 tires up front.
The rears are 275/40R17's (I may even go to 285/40's later)