What did you do with or to your DeSoto today? - General Discussion

RE: What did you do with or to your DeSoto today?

DavidFrank — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:26:46 +0000

We're finally free of salt and snow here in Wisconsin too - hoping to get the cars out in the next week or two!

RE: What did you do with or to your DeSoto today?

Jarmo Sirkia — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:17:06 +0000

Winter is over! I took Fireflite for test drive. New brakes and 15 inch wheels work fine.

https://forums.offipalsta.com/picture.php?albumid=9157&pictureid=249424

RE: What did you do with or to your DeSoto today?

RegisBodnar — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:56:45 +0000

A very wise decision. If you are going to drive the car regularly disc brakes are the only way to go. I have used AAJ front conversions on 2 of my cars and they work great. I also have rear disc on my 60 Adventurer; stops like the new cars, LOL.

RE: What did you do with or to your DeSoto today?

Jarmo Sirkia — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 07:06:43 +0000

I started disk brake conversion to Fireflite. Adapter is from AAJ Brakes.

https://forums.offipalsta.com/picture.php?albumid=9157&pictureid=249062

RE: What did you do with or to your DeSoto today?

DavidFrank — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 19:02:14 +0000

@jarmosirkia that's the number I used on the front of my '59 Fireflite 9 years ago to replace the pair that were on it when I bought the car. I don't think they are excessively stiff, but the ones I replaced had blown out bushings, so I don't have a good comparison. When I purchased the Gabriels, I researched brands (reference thread below) and settled on Gabriels. I did buy a rear pair as well, but have not installed those.

Here is a forum that discusses different shock types: https://community.cartalk.com/t/quality-of-monroe-vs-gabriel-vs-other-shock-absorbers/94367

Rockauto fronts: http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=9607&jsn=3

Rockauto rears: http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8358&jsn=12

Gabriel website for 1959 DeSoto Fireflite (you can input your own car): https://gabriel.com/catalogue?Year=1959&Make=DeSoto&Model=Fireflite

RE: What did you do with or to your DeSoto today?

Jarmo Sirkia — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 13:10:00 +0000

I installed new front shocks. Gabriel classic 82072. They did not seem to be very stiff, see how they work next summer...

RE: What did you do with or to your DeSoto today?

DavidFrank — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 14:05:43 +0000

@jarmosirkia it looks great! The chevrons really are the crowning jewels on the back of the '60.

RE: What did you do with or to your DeSoto today?

Jarmo Sirkia — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:32:18 +0000

I glued new chevrons (from Van's auto) to rear lights. They look so much better, than my selfmade...

https://forums.offipalsta.com/picture.php?albumid=9157&pictureid=248163

RE: What did you do with or to your DeSoto today?

MarkKubancik — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:26:45 +0000

Jarmo...sounds like "time" well spent! Nice work!

RE: What did you do with or to your DeSoto today?

GlennColburn — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:36:15 +0000

Consider yourself lucky with a working clock! I have 3 clocks for my 59, all of them with the same broken spring on the winding mechanism. None of the local "full service" clock/watch shops are willing to touch it.