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Hey guys I hope someone has the answer I need on here.
so I went and got me a desoto 
1950 carryall I've been wanting
to restore I've been at it do in some body repairs and thinking about
The front suspension and would like to swap it out with something modern and I've seen a lot of ford guys do the crown vic front suspension and would like to do something along those lines to my desoto but after doing some research and measuring turns out the outer tire to outer tire measurement on the crown vic.front.suspension is 72" and my desoto's is 62" I will have to refabricate the front of the frame to bolt it up which I wouldn't mind doing 
where do I go from here? Please feel free to give me your opinions and experience on this subject I am at a stand still on this one
Hola Gerge
First I will say Welcome to De Soto's and this site.
If you have Joined The National De Soto Club - you will find information that may help ya. As a start --- The Carry All's Front Suspension - Brakes and etc is the same as a like year's New Yorker's is.
Question
Did you buy the car to alter or did you buy the car for what it is ???
If you swap out the two front wheels because of a possible Front End Change - you will need to plan on how to carry spare wheels if you have a flat.
Rodger & Gabby
Colo Sogs
FltSgt@outlook.com
Well I bought it for what it is and after I made the purchase I got the chance to drive a running one that the guy I bought it from has and was not too happy with the handling of it seeing that my wife is going to want to drive it also I would like to make it a little more modern as far as handling would give me a piece of mind when she is out driving it I figure someone on here could educate me a little on how to go about it rear end will be getting done too and spare tire can go right where the stock spare goes
Thanks for your reply I appreciate it
Hola George
The Front Suspension/ Steering Assembly was designed first about when The W.P.A. was still all around and about .
The Max National Speed Limit in any state was below what it is now to pull a Trailer on Inter-State 5 from Bakersfield to Fresno. It was designed to theoretically get to 85 MPH. This means 60 MPH across Kansas or Arizona is "OK".
To compare it this coming Saturday in a side by side evaluation test with its then marketing equal ( a Olds by GM or a Mercury by FoMoCo ) will show you "it isn't to bad".
To simply replace the Front End Bushing's and related parts with new items from NAPA will insure a better handing ride. This was a vehicle marketed to pick up a person of means at The Dock - The Air Port or The Train Station and to transport them to a Class four or better facility.
Those that want to swap and fab a different front assembly have found out a 1980'ish Chrysler or Dodge unit works. For a Rear Axle look to a first series Dodge Dakota. This way you can have a full set of five wheels that match.
Rodger & Gabby
Colo Spgs
FltSgt@outlook.com
Thank you rodger for your reply so basically mid to late 80s dakota will so the trick for front and back? And is the front a drop out assembly or will I be cutting the frame and grafting it? Sorry if I am asking too much
George,
First of all, all you have to do get the magazines and calendar is become a National De Soto Club member. Look under "RENEW-JOIN THE CLUB" on the menu on the left of this page. The magazine comes with the membership (or the membership comes with the magazine).
An early Dakota front frame cut (coupled with the Dakota rear axle to keep the lug pattern the same all around the car) will require quite a bit of fabrication and lots of welding skill. If you are retaining the original engine and trans, they will require new mountings to be fabricated as well.
There are also "Pro Mod" street rod assemblies available but most that I've seen may cost more than the whole car.
One we used "way back when" on our "fat fender Fords" was an unbolt unit from the AMC Pacer. It was quick and easy and didn't require welding on the Fords.
I used the whole '98 Dakota frame on my '42 Lead Sled coupe after I found the original butchered beyond repair.
I guess it come down to where you want to go and how much time and money you want to spend to get there.
Hoping we will be welcoming you to the club, you have my
Best Regards,
Geoff Overley, Editor
De Soto Adventures Magazine
