Joined: Fri Oct 07 2005, 12:03PM
Location: Central Ky.
Posts: 1575
Actually in those years say 68-70 the steering box is NOT the same....
Just went thru this, talked to Steer N. Gear & confirmed that the Sector shaft is larger on a C-body than the A-B-E. We pulled a box fromt he 70 Fury we just stripped & used it as a core but made sure they sent back a B-body unit for a buddy. They bolt in of course but the Sector being different means there is no appropriate pitman to work in a B-body.
I had heard this befor & Steer N' Gear finally confirmed it. The parts book does show different parts for the C-body box.
Drums won't work either, C-body ( even if they're both say 11X3 shoes ) spindles are different, bearings are different & the spindle length is greater.
Door handles...Yes, A-B-C in those same years all fit. Up to 93' Dodge Van & pickup handles still available are the same. Have 'em on my Fury & used 'em on a couple of others.
Driveline works & the 8 3/4 stumps all interchange, C-housings are just wider.
What we always take is the small stuff, interior screws & other fasteners. The stuff that you always need more of. A lot is the same on all the cars.
Joined: Sat Dec 10 2005, 04:28PM
Location: United States
Posts: 4954
I forgot about that Butch. It's been some time since I did that swap. I remember I had to replace the pitman arem when I did it. The ratio is different also. Fortunately, the arch in the pitman matched the C. That car is still running around. . . .
Joined: Fri Oct 07 2005, 12:03PM
Location: Central Ky.
Posts: 1575
See, that's something I wondered about....
If you did use a C-box in a B or vice-versa COULD you get away using the appropriate pitman as long as length/shape were the same.....evidently you can!
In our case Steer N'Gear doesn't care which you send in for a core, they'll send back which ever version you need. So you could send in an A-B-E box & ask for a C-box back at least...that's good to know.
It's his fault anyway....I told him he wouldn't like manual steering with a 14" steering wheel on the street! Not the same as bracket racing LOL.
Joined: Mon Oct 31 2005, 12:48PM
Location: Bakersfield, California
Posts: 1755
Butch wrote: "Door handles...Yes, A-B-C in those same years all fit. Up to 93' Dodge Van & pickup handles still available are the same. Have 'em on my Fury & used 'em on a couple of others. "
Actually, no. At Fall Fling in Van Nuys this past OCtober a guy was selling a beautiful set of A Body door handles. Mine being scratched, he let me take one to compare with the ones on my car. They were 1/4 inch smaller.
Now, this would not be a problem if I were to repaint my car after installing them. But, since I was not going to do tis, I passed on those A handles.
Joined: Wed Oct 12 2005, 08:03AM
Location: utah
Posts: 40
As for steering gears (at least for power boxes) the factory interchange is: 65-78 c body, 73-79 b body, 73-76 a body, 76 up f,m,j body, and 72-90 (i think) b-van, all these take the same box (R3643333), except the police box (3643334) which fits but is a higher effort (a great upgrade). 66-72 B body boxes (as well as 67-72 a body) are almost the same, but the pitman shaft has smaller splines. It is easy to upgrade to the newer box with the right pitman arm, which I am pretty sure are different for b and c cars. There are a few variations on where the lines go in, but that can all be changed easily.
Joined: Sun Oct 16 2005, 10:44AM
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 78
NFUR8, would you please elaborate about making B-body trunk floors fit into C-bodies? I've done a little looking around (not a lot) and it looks like replacement C-body trunk floors are not available.
I haven't done the B-body trunk myself, but there have been several people post over the years that said they used B-Body Trunk floor panels to repair their C's. It isn't a perfect fit, but the sizes are close enough that a little sheetmetal work can make them look like they were factory. This provides stock appearing contours and ribs. Seems I remember Chargers being mentioned, don't know is all B's use the same pieces, or if the Chargers are different.