Road Runner Nest

Okay, not to re-open this wound, but a lot of time has passed since I've thought about buying these and I figured the time was right with money and where I'm at with my project... Only to find they're up to $225 at Firm Feel's site. Really? No, serously... Really? I know the polyurethane ones can be found, but I wanted the solid. Any other options? Seems like various individuals make them, but you have to PM them through another site and/or go with a group buy, and no easy way to buy them.

Firm Feel is good high quality stuff. I think the solid bushings are the only way to go on your later car. Yeah, that is expensive but so is every other effing thing for these cars now. Are you going to convert the rear spring mounts too? That should be fairly inexpensive. You get what you pay for.....

Heard both good and bad about FirmFeel, mostly good. I know they care about Mopars. Just seems like their prices have gone through the roof as of late, but of course there are less and less of our cars every year, and I'm sure production is relatively low. On the other hand, recently found http://solidbushings.com who seem to be a better (forged versus cast?) product, or at least cheaper product anyway (and I'm sure they are aren't the suspension specialists that FirmFeel are, just copying the product, which was a copy of the cast iron spacers anyway).

Smellslike - Seen these for sale on Moparts

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/sho ... w=1#UNREAD

1973+ Solid 6061 k-frame isolator bushings. Anodized in Black. Full set, $160. Modeled after the original cast iron isolators and now made from solid 6061 Aluminum. Comes with everything you see here. Get rid of that sloppy handling with a set of these!

How popular is this conversion? I'm a machinist and could probably make a few sets, but it would have to be worth my time, which is very limited these days. I would need an example and/or blueprint and need to check on aluminum and plating prices.

It's not rocket science and I agree, Firm Feel's price is way out of hand.

$160 for the 6061 deal seems fair, especially with the new hardware.

You realize you'll lose your "sofa-like" ride, right?

When i was looking for them before,I was told the firmer you go the more noise they make.

So our cars will be as loud as the '71-'72 models?

solidbushings.com is also working on a new part that doesn't require any parts from a '71-'72 to fix the rear leaf spring bushings. Our '73-'74 models are actually a bit dangerous if they rust out, as they can slam our poor cars into the ground! Been trolling the Dodge Diplomat forum on this (same style rear, I believe).

Smellslike1974 wrote:When i was looking for them before,I was told the firmer you go the more noise they make.

If you're going the full route, don't forget to replace the rear spring-to-axle isolators as well as the front shackle mounts.

I had a '74 back in the 90's that I used the original cast iron 'cop' biscuits on. Yeah, it was harsher, but it tightened up the front end like crazy! I think that the aluminum spacers might be a great compromise between the rubber and cast iron as they may not be as harsh....but yeah, the cost.

I have come across a '73 Charger and have been trying to re-familiarize myself with the suspension layouts of these cars, and it's sadly coming back to me all the deficiencies they had.

On the other hand, I do remeber what a blast I had with my old '74 RR

Aside from the weight, you'll find NO difference between the aluminum and cast iron.