I have a 63 Dart 170, and I'm guessing that all of the suspension is factory original, because when a fly lands on one side, that side dips from the weight. Not to mention that when I'm driving, it really leans when I turn a corner, stop, start, turn on the radio, or get caught in the airfoil of a passing moped. I mean it's enough lean that my wife notices it.

I'd like to stiffen up the suspension enough to eliminate some of the lean and softness. I still want a comfortable ride, but I don't mind it a bit on the sportier side. This is only a daily driver - besides I won't be winning too many races with the 170 anyway.

Would I do good in simply replacing all of the stock springs, torsion bars, and shocks? How about going slightly bigger with the torsion bars and slightly beefier with the leaf springs?

Would I even want to think about anti-roll bars at this time?

Or, would a new set of shocks be enough?

Also, a side note to vent - I don't know about any of you other Wisconsinites, but I am really GETTING SICK OF SNOW!!! And we haven't even had the worst of it. My Dart and I are really getting cabin fever! I haven't driven her since October I think.

If lean is your main complaint. consider just a sway bar up front.
JUST SUSPENSION has them for $119 ($99 + $20 UPS oversize fee).
I put 0.870" torsion bars on my '64 Valiant, with KYB shocks, and lower profile tires. I like the ride, but it might be a just little stiff for some. It did take a while for either the KYB's to wear in or for me to get used to them.
A sway bar is next on the list for suspension upgrades for me.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

when i got my 63, the previous owner had loosened the torsion bars to lower ride hieght and i had a major lean, dipping issue. After setting the proper ride height things improved dramatically. I 'd do all the free things first, like, ride height, check condition of bushings, lube them,check front end bearings, etc, then spend money. Oh my 170 with the super six (2 bbl carb)and 2 1/4" exhaust performs well. 170s can be made to move .

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63 valiant v200 Wagon 9.5, Schneider cam, E.I. 22 mpg all day

I'll check into those free things first. My Dart doesn't seem that low, though. I guess I'd also like a bit firmer ride, but if I can just firm it up a bit with new shocks and flatten it with a roll bar, that sounds good to me. The ride is actually ok, but I do want it stiffer.

And lincparts, I do know that the 170s can be made to move - I have a 2-BBL from a 318, 2 1/4" exhaust, Comp Cams 252, head work, shaved head. She squawks the tires when she shifts into 2nd gear, even when I'm only 1/2 to 2/3 throttle. I'm quite pleased with the results, but wouldn't mind a tiny bit more zip in the lower rpms, but the upper rpms really are quite quick compared to stock.

awesome! I love the little 170, as it revs well, but i feel you with the lack of some low end grunt. I hope to swap out the torque converter to take advantage of the higher rpm's . I see the addco swaybars all the time on e-bag, they seem to be cheaper if you look at the dart listings ( i think 149$ for front and rears). I've read that the rear bar isn't that benificial, but i want the front bar pretty bad. Se ya

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63 valiant v200 Wagon 9.5, Schneider cam, E.I. 22 mpg all day

The sway bar was nice. Though the biggest upgrade I noticed for suspension was getting a polyurethane kit from Just Suspenion. It's a little spendy right off the bat, but man it really is nice. Also, sometimes they give you a $50 discount on the sway bar if you buy the kit with it or such.

rebuild that front end, and go wit the fat torsionbar and sway, i think i got just under an inch on both, it corners real nice. i got the rear sway to bolt up to thats still bolted to my ol blown 7-1/4

KYB shocks minimum for shocks.

F/R anti-roll bars (with urethane bushings for the bars)


Vast improvement in handling (I still have stock F/R springs)

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes