Front Axle / Front Suspension: suspension

[New Guy 62]

i want to know what suspension could i replace my 62 lark 2 door with and how much trouble would it be i am planing of putting a 350 engine on it pleas help new at this car restoration

[swvalcon]

Just rebuild what you have and put in the 350 it will handle it just fine.

[RadioRoy]

If you are new at car restoration, you should consider changing your mind set.

Almost everything on a 62 will run and work just fine as it is, with only restoration required. Many, many newbies think that they have to redesign the car to make it work. You do not. The car's design is just fine as it is. All you have to do is bring it up to snuff and back to factory specification.

Rebuilding the stock front suspension and brakes, adding radial tires with the correct rims, and putting on a stock, rear sway bar will give you a car that handles and drives very well.

Changing the suspension to a different design/brand/marque is not for the faint of heart. You have to know a lot about suspensions, do a lot of math, be extremely skilled at fabrication, welding, measuring and such. And then you often end up with a front suspension that is not as good as the stock system, and often is much worse. At best, the improvement is only marginal, and it's a lot of work to do it.

Studebakers have some weak points, like any other car manufacturer. But in my opinion, the front suspension is not one of them.

Good luck in your restoration/repair/rebuild efforts.

[41 Frank]

Welcome to the Forum. Not knowing the extent of your Studebaker knowledge I might add that as a newbie here you should be made aware that everything you might need to rebuild your current suspension is readily available from our vendors.

[bezhawk]

There is exceptions to this rule. If your car was originally a six, consider at least upgrading the brakes. There are Frame manufacturers that make kits, but it will cost at least 10 grand to have someone else fit it and make it work. Up grade to delrin bushings on your stock front end. $130 dollar range. Upgrade to better front and rear anti sway bars ~ 400. Totally replace kingpin bearings, and tie rod ends less than 500. New good shocks 75 each( for Bilsteins). Add it all up. Much cheaper than a frame swap isn't it?How much is bragging rights for something that doesn't handle any better worth to you? (RE: a frame swap)

[New Guy 62]

thank you guys for the info all i want is a great running 62 lark Daytona with less spending in my part and thanks to you i can get out the deep end of the rebuild and think a bit more shallow. thanks again you guys rock

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

Google:
Studebaker Vendors.com.
Great parts availability, good, knowledgeable people.
Where in California are you located ?