Josephine, a "Moparistic" -55 sedan

[nox]

Josephine is a -55 Champion 4d that's gonna be my daily driver & as I always have figured Studebaker V8-cars & don't wanna wait to long for it to happen I've now bought me a -77 Plymouth Volare as donor-car.
So now I've got me a Mopar 4-barrel 360", automatic + 8,3/4 rear end for a few bucks! (& I mean FEW...)

Now I'd like to read 'bout someone else who's done something similar...? The most interesting part is how to make the stuff fit, like if there's some experience 'bout fitting the rear-axle without moving the leafspring-mounts on the axle by welding since I've heard it's easy to twist or bend the axle then, so is there for example a relatively easy way to change/widen the mounts on the frame?

It would be nice to get her on wheels soon, the gearbox & engine-fiting I've already got a hint 'bout how to do it, but the spring-wideness is a new thing to me.
I did put a Volare/Aspen axle on a -62 Chrysler Valiant (the model with fins even in the front) when I was young & just bended the springs appart... It worked for the short time I had the car but to day I'm more serious & I want to keep this car for a looong time.

So...?

Nox.

[Jeff Rice]

Just cut off the old spring mounts and weld on a new pair in the right place.
As long as you weld only in short amounts and let it cool in between, the tubes won't warp...
Speedway, Summit, and Jeg's all sell the spring mounts.
It would help on this forum to let us know who you really are, and where you are from.
A lot of people can help you out.
Jeff

[nox]

Well then Jeff, I'll help:
My name is Nox Johansson & I'm Swedish but at the moment livin' in Holland.

& I repeat that I'd like to hear if someone's done this work WITHOUT cuting & welding on the axle.
& as I already've got the original axle I wouldn't have to go & buy new extra spring-mounts, I reckon I could cut the old ones of & weld them on, right?

BUT: I still wonder if there's someone else who's changed the frame-mounts instead?

Nox.

[nox]

...& by the way, I'm really slow on the computer-stuff (at least so far) so I don't have a clue 'bout how to for example put in the extra info on the right side like you've done.

Nox.

[Jeff Rice]

Welcome to the Racing Studebakers forum!
Now I can say I know someone named Nox

How much different are the spring perch pad center points and the spring center bolts spacing?
My reason for asking is that Chrysler used to sell a kit that moved the springs inward, so wider tires could be used.
It had 'offset' rear spring shackles. Perhaps using those shackles (or fabricating some) would move the springs enough to catch the holes.
Or maybe it might get them close enogh so you could re-drill the pads with the holes moved out (or in)...
Jeff

Well then Jeff, I'll help:
My name is Nox Johansson & I'm Swedish but at the moment livin' in Holland.

& I repeat that I'd like to hear if someone's done this work WITHOUT cuting & welding on the axle.
& as I already've got the original axle I wouldn't have to go & buy new extra spring-mounts, I reckon I could cut the old ones of & weld them on, right?

BUT: I still wonder if there's someone else who's changed the frame-mounts instead?

Nox.

[Jeff Rice]

Don't worry about that, Nox... We are all a bit slow when it comes to computers...
Here's how you add your info to your profile box...

Click on the 'user control panel' gizmo on the top left of the page.
Then...
Click on the 'edit profile' tab.... (you can fill in your location info, etc)
Then...
Click on the 'edit signature' tab... (that will automatically fill in what you would like all your post'd to end with)
I can show you how to do the little picture later...
Jeff

...& by the way, I'm really slow on the computer-stuff (at least so far) so I don't have a clue 'bout how to for example put in the extra info on the right side like you've done.
Nox.

[stewed]

Welcome nox! The more I think about your project,the better I like it.Good luck!

[nox]

Now THAT's interesting! Offset spring-shackles... I even actually remember seeing those some times & that shouldn't be much of a problem to manufacture my self.
Or even just drilling might be a possibility.

By the way, the car wont be a racer, just something to annoy BMW- & Japcrap-owners... For the rest it'll be just a daily driver.

Nox.

[nox]

Well, will ya look at that, got myself a location!
Thanx Jeff!
Now let's see how it goes with a picture...

Nox.

[nox]

No...that didn't work, probably to big picture, got to get help with that.
I'll be back!
Nox.

[Jeff Rice]

Take your favorite pic, and shrink a copy of it way, way down to say 100x100 max.
Then post it to a photo site like Photobucket(You can't direct upload it from your computer)
Copy the pic properties and paste them in the avatar address box.
There you go...
Jeff

No...that didn't work, probably too big a picture, got to get help with that.
I'll be back!
Nox.

[SilverHawkDan]

Nox,
Welcome to the Racing Studebakers. I am currently doing a similar project. Won't get back to it until after my Bonneville run next month but let me help you out.

First you want to unbolt the front and rear spring hangers from the frame of the Volare. That way you should have something that looks like this:

You want the whole rear differential, parking brake cables and all. Now all you have to do is make plates for the spring hangers to bolt to and weld them to the frame. If you are wanting to narrow the springs for more tire you will have to cut the spring perches off the axle housing and weld a new set on in the proper location. I would first take the Stude axle out and then roll the Mopar one under the car and see what you have. Cut and remove those items that are in your way and fab the new parts. You might be surprised that with the right wheels (stock or custom made) the axle will fit right in.

Second, on the front of the car the Mopar cross torsion bar front sub frame can be unbolted from the Volare and rolled out steering box and all. Then fab some plates as mounting points for the sub frame to be bolted into the Stude. A cleaner look can be achieved be replacing the front section of the frame. Cut it of just forward of the body mounting points and use retangle tubing to make the new front frame. Weld on your attachment points and bolt it in.

By the way it makes for a very smooth riding Stude and the parts are readily available both stock and high performance poly bushings ect. Enjoy the build and be sure and post pictures. We like pictures. Must be a carryover from our youth.
Dan

[nox]

Nice how all suddenly seems to get solved!
At least in computer-reality so far since I've just run in to some things that'll gonna delay the project, but reasonably soon...
pictures are the thing, & they'll be along any week!

But I'm not gonna put fat tires inside & make the car look like it needs to go & take a shit, I rather build out the fenders or make it look more old fashion by cutting the openings & make flares.

& I'm keeping the front original to begin with, got enough to do anyway & I want it out on the road as soon as possible.

Thanx LOOOADS ! ! !

Nox.

[nox]

Thought I try showing a picture, at least one from the days when I just got her & she was still on wheels & complete, but then again- I aint got a clue & I can't even figure it out by the texts...I go to the "User Control Panel" & think that maby it's "manage attachments" but nooo...
Nox.

[Alan]

Nox, You need a Photo Bucket account. Up load to there, then click on the box in the line that says IMG Code at the bottom of the rectangle. It will say copied. Then go to your reply and right click, go down to paste and drop it into your response.