Subframe swap help please

MICRO

Member
Joined
May 23, 2020
Messages
10
Reaction score
1
Location
Canada
I have a 1988 plymouth caravelle 318 car and a 1985 Chrysler 5th ave for parts. Will the subframe from 5th ave direct bolt onto the 88 or is there a difference between years ?

20200523_184756.jpg
 

BudW

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
5,121
Reaction score
1,485
Location
Oklahoma City
All FMJ 318 K-frames will fit into all other FMJ's without much difference. Same goes for FMJ /6 K-frames for other /6 FMJ's – unless a person is trying to convert a /6 to a 318 (or vice versa), which then you just need the appropriate K.
The differences (on same engine size) on K-frames are minor details like brake line attachment or minor bracket attachment. This wouldn't stop me from putting a '89 318 K into my '77 318 (or vice versa).

It is rumored the '88-89 K's are made using galvanized steel – which is good thing.

To answer your question, the '85 and your '88 should be same.

Before using a K – be sure to check for cracks, for rust and/or take K to a welder and make sure everything is welded well.
For extreme usage, getting extra gussets welded in and so forth might be a good thing – especially by the steering gear (where the most stress is at).
BudW
 

LSM360

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2011
Messages
812
Reaction score
314
Location
Melbourne, Florida
Yes, I've read numerous times in many publications that the '88 and '89 got beefed up K frames (at least the AHB's).
 

Mikes5thAve

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2020
Messages
1,375
Reaction score
539
Location
Canada
The under sides have some galvanized metal for 88/89. The K frames are the same metal as other years but it has been said they were improved for those last years.
 

Mr C

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
403
Reaction score
137
Inspect the A arms for rot. M body arms are prone to failure if a lot of dirt has been allowed to accumulate.

Ask me how I know...things were so rotten (Ontario salt) that I did the whole sub too from a rust free Oklahoma car.

My car after the UCA pretzeled in a turn...
1916645_100305446658148_4350211_n.jpg


The UCA...and general rotten condition of the whole sub. Ontario rot from salt.
1916645_100305529991473_2106962_n.jpg


Parts car I got for $100 in Oklahoma City (88 5th).
1916644_100784073276952_7584206_n.jpg

Out with the old...
1916644_100783866610306_4203891_n.jpg

All better...
1916644_100783983276961_5529844_n.jpg

1916644_100784156610277_377264_n.jpg
 

LSM360

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2011
Messages
812
Reaction score
314
Location
Melbourne, Florida
Wow Mr C, I've never seen one do that! When I rebuilt front end on mine, they were filled with dirt, but no rust. I guess that's what snow and salt will do. Again, wow! Looks great afterward.
 

Aspen500

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2015
Messages
7,030
Reaction score
2,759
Location
Rib Mountain, WI
Come to Wisconsin and you'll see one do that, and plenty more, on vehicles A LOT newer (I'm talking late 2000's). Ford Expedition "check for clunk in rear". Lower trailing arms rusted in half on both sides. Just the other day, 2007 Toyota Camry came in on the flatbed, LF lower control arm completely rotted in two. Stuff like that is all too common here, and Ontario it seems:(
LSM360, it isn't the snow that causes the damage, it's the bleeping road salt and even worse (way worse) that liquid brine sh*t they spray on bridges, curves and underpasses.
 

MoparDan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2011
Messages
709
Reaction score
304
Location
Daytona Beach, FL
Wow Mr C, I've never seen one do that! When I rebuilt front end on mine, they were filled with dirt, but no rust. I guess that's what snow and salt will do. Again, wow! Looks great afterward.
On my Diplomat the left control arm snapped just like that on the highway when I had to make a sudden turn to avoid a crash...that car had been parked on a lawn for close to a decade, and had spent its whole life in Connecticut-bad combo!
 
Last edited:

Aspen500

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2015
Messages
7,030
Reaction score
2,759
Location
Rib Mountain, WI
Parking off pavement is almost as bad as salt. I've seen more than one car that from the outside looked perfect but it had been parked on gravel or grass for years and the underside was gone, you could inspect the inside of the engine and trans without removing the pans (or what was left of them), the "floor" was nothing more than rotted carpet and subframe rails,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,what subframe rails. All because someone parked it next to their garage 10 years ago and made it worse by covering with a blue tarp, just to really trap the moisture in, because they were "going to restore it someday". Sad.

At least your control arm only bent and didn't come apart. Usually the driver senses a problem when on of the front tires is jammed into the wheelwell and the fender is bent back against the door when the control arm becomes two separate pieces.

This is an example of what we see here in north central WI all too often at the shop.

OIP.jpg
 
Last edited:
Back
Top