Chrysler F/J/M Body Interchange Information - 1976 to 1989Chrysler's F/J/M platform began in mid-1976 with the introduction of the F-body line, consisting of the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare. F-bodies used a new transverse (crosswise) torsion bar front suspension instead of the traditional longitudinal torsion bars that had been used since 1957. The torsion bars were attached to a k-member that was fully isolated from the body by the use of rubber "biscuits" or isolators with through bolts. Although F-bodies used conventional rear springs, they were also isolated from the rear axle on the top and bottom by rubber pads held by the shock plate and a lower clamp. The design was called the "Iso-Clamp Rear Suspension". Chrysler stated that the fully isolated system offer a "big car ride". The Aspen/Volare twins were jointly given Motor Trend's Car Of The Year award for 1976.
The new F-body models were offered in 2-door, 4-door and station wagon versions. The 2-door versions had a 108.7" wheelbase, while the 4-door and station wagon versions had a 112.5" wheelbase for 1976 only (according to Standard Catalog of chrysler). 1977 through 1980 4-door models were all on a 112.7" wheelbase. F-bodies were good cars, but the Aspen/Volare name received bad press due to the first two model years suffering from several recalls due to quality control problems and premature rusting. Although most of the problems were corrected by the 1978 model year, the F-body line never fully recovered, and the Aspen/Volare names were discontinued in 1980. Just under two million F-bodies were produced during the entire production run, with Volare's outselling Aspens every model year.
Virtually identical underneath to the earlier F-body platform, the higher priced M-body car line was introduced in 1977 with the Dodge Diplomat, Chrysler LeBaron and the Plymouth Caravelle (only introduced in Canada). The new models were offered in 2-door, 4-door and station wagon versions, all of which had a 112.7" wheelbase. In 1980 the line was restyled and the wheelbase of the 2 door models was shortened to 108.7". In 1982, the Caravelle and LeBaron names were moved to the K-car platform, the Gran Fury was added, and all 2-door and station wagon versions were dropped. After going through several name changes, the Chrysler Fifth Avenue name was finalized by 1984, and remained through 1989.
Four-door Diplomats and Gran Furys saw serious police, fleet and taxi duty during the 1980s. The popularity of M-bodies in the taxicab industry quickly exhausted all supplies of used Diplomats and Gran Furys. As a result, used luxury Fifth Avenues began to see taxi service. As a testament to the durability of the M-body line, both police and civilian versions of all M-body makes were still being pressed into service as taxicabs for more than a decade after they were discontinued in 1989. Although they are rare now, Fifth Avenue taxicabs were routinely seen on the streets of the Nations Capital as late as 2005. Also notable is that the M-body car line represented the very last of the Chrysler rear wheel drive passenger cars that used the old reliable drivetrain technology developed in the late fifties and early sixties.
The J-body line was also virtually identical underneath to the earlier F-body and M-body platforms. Introduced in 1980 with the Dodge Mirada and Chrysler Cordoba names carried over from the discontinued B-body line, all J-bodies were 2-door and shared the same 112.7" Wheelbase as 4-door F-bodies and M-bodies. The Chrysler Imperial was added to the J-body line in 1981, but it didn't sell well. Plagued with problems with the new fuel injection system and weighing almost two tons, only 10,981 Imperials were sold during the entire run from 1981 to 1983. As a result, Imperials are among the rarest of the F/J/M cars.
Models and Years of ProductionF-Bodies (1976 to 1980)
- 1976 to 1980 Dodge Aspen, Aspen R/T
- 1976 to 1980 Plymouth Volare, Road Runner
- 1979 to 1980 Plymouth Volare Duster (special Volare package and not a separate model)
- Wheelbases:
- 108.7": All 2 door models
- 112.5": '76 4 door models
- 112.7": '77-'80 4 door models
M-Bodies (1977 to 1989)
- 1977 to 1989 Dodge Diplomat
- 1977 to 1981 Chrysler LeBaron
- 1977 to 1981 Plymouth Caravelle (Canada)
- 1982 to 1989 Plymouth Gran Fury
- 1982 Chrysler New Yorker
- 1983 Chrysler New Yorker 5th Avenue
- 1984 to 1989 Chrysler 5th Avenue
- Wheelbases:
- 108.7": '80-'81 2 door models
- 112.7": '77-'79 2 door models; '77-'89 4-door models
J-Bodies (1980 to 1983) (All models were 2 doors with a 112.7" Wheelbase)
- 1980 to 1983 Dodge Mirada
- 1980 to 1983 Chrysler Cordoba
- 1981 to 1983 Imperial
F/J/M Parts That InterchangeBelow is a partial list of F/J/M parts that interchange. Parts for the years and models listed in each bullet will interchange. There are many other parts not listed that will also interchange.
Windshields- 1976 to 1989 4-door models - all
- 1976 to 1981 2-door Aspen, Volare, LeBaron, Diplomat
- 1980 to 1983 Mirada and Corboba (NOT Imperial)
- 1981 to 1983 Chrysler Imperial (Imperial only)
Back Windows (not side glass)- 1980 to 1983 Mirada and Corboba (NOT Imperial)
- 1976 to 1979 4-door models - all
- 1976 to 1980 2-door Aspen and Volare
- 1977 to 1979 2-door LeBaron and Diplomat
- 1980 to 1981 2-door LeBaron and Diplomat
- 1980 to 1989 4-door Diplomat, 1980-1981 4-door LeBaron, 1982-1989 4-door Gran Fury
- 1982 New Yorker, 1983 New Yorker Fifth Avenue, 1984-1989 Fifth Avenue
- 1981 to 1983 Chrysler Imperial (Imperial only)
Single Doors (2-door Cars)- 1976 to 1980 2-door Aspen and Volare
- 1977 to 1979 2-door LeBaron and Diplomat
- 1980 to 1981 2-door LeBaron and Diplomat
- 1980 to 1983 Mirada & Corboba and 1981-1983 Imperial
Front Doors (4-door Cars) - 1976 to 1989 4-doors - all models
Rear Doors (4-door Cars)- 1976 to 1980 4-door Aspen, Volare, 1976 to 1979 4-door LeBaron and Diplomat
- 1980 to 1989 4-door Diplomat, 1980-1981 Lebaron, 1982 New Yorker, 1983 New Yorker Fifth Avenue, 1984-1989 Fifth Avenue, 1982-1989 Gran Fury. NOTE: Fifth Avenue rear doors are the same as Diplomat and Gran Fury doors. The small rear side glass is just covered to match the padded vinyl roof.
Hoods- 1976 to 1979 Aspen and Volare
- 1977 to 1979 LeBaron and Diplomat
- 1980 to 1983 Corboba (NOT Mirada, Corboba LS or Imperial)
- 1980 to 1983 Mirada and Corboba LS (NOT Cordoba or Imperial)
- 1981 to 1983 Imperial (Imperial only)
- 1980 to 1989 Diplomat, 1980-1981 Lebaron, 1982 New Yorker, 1983 New Yorker Fifth Avenue, 1984-1989 Fifth Avenue, 1982-1989 Gran Fury (includes all 1980 to 1981 2-door LeBaron and Diplomat)
Trunk Lids- 1976 to 1980 2-door Aspen and Volare
- 1976 to 1980 2-door Aspen and Volare
- 1977 to 1979 4-door LeBaron and Diplomat
- All 1980 to 1989 Diplomat, 1980-1981 Lebaron, 1982 New Yorker, 1983 New Yorker Fifth Avenue, 1984-1989 Fifth Avenue, 1982-1989 Gran Fury (includes all 1980 to 1981 2-door LeBaron and Diplomat)
- 1981 to 1983 Chrysler Imperial (Imperial only)
- 1980 to 1983 Mirada and Corboba (NOT Imperial)
Front Fenders- 1980 to 1983 Chrysler Cordoba (Cordoba only)
- 1980 to 1983 Dodge Mirada (Mirada only)
- 1981 to 1983 Chrysler Imperial (Imperial only)
- 1976 to 1979 Aspen and Volare
- 1980 Aspen and Volare, 1977 to 1989 Diplomat, 1977-1981 Lebaron, 1982 New Yorker, 1983 New Yorker Fifth Avenue, 1984-1989 Fifth Avenue, 1982-1989 Gran Fury (includes all 1980 to 1981 2-door LeBaron and Diplomat)
Other Parts- Slant 6 Engine - All 1976 to 1983 Slant 6 models (emissions may vary)
- 318 V8 Engine - All 1976 to 1989 318 V8 models (emissions may vary)
- 360 V8 Engine - All 1976 to 1980 360 V8 models (emissions may vary)
- 904-Series Transmission - Any other 904 equipped car (360 and 318 torque converters cannot be swapped, 1980-up 904s will have lockup. 1981-up will have the 2.76:1 first and 1.54:1 second gear ratio - aka "low gearset"
- 727 Transmission - Any other 727 equipped car (360 and 318 torque converters cannot be swapped)
- 904 to 727 - Any 904 equipped car (360 and 318 torque converters cannot be swapped, driveshaft needed from a 727 equipped car with the same wheelbase and rear axle)
- 7.25" Rear - All 7.25" rears will interchange (gear ratios may vary)
- 8.25" Rear - All 8.25" rears will interchange (gear ratios may vary)
- 8.25" Rear - All 8.25" rears will swap into any car with a 7.25"rear. 8.25" rear requires a slightly shorter driveshaft for the same wheelbase and transmission. (gear ratios may vary)
- Rear Sway Bar assemblies - All (Requires HD shockplates with sway bar mounting brackets. Frames on some models may not have rear sway bar mounting holes, but they can be drilled and tapped)
- Front Sway Bars - Standard Duty - All
- Front Sway Bars - Heavy Duty - All - (Swap requires HD sway bar hardware)
- Torsion Bars - All
- 5-leaf Rear Springs - All (requires 3.25" tall lower U-clamp)
- Front Seats - All 4-door models
- Rear Seats - Most 4-door models
- Seats - All 2-door models
- Gas Tank - Aspen and Volare through 04/01/1977
- Gas Tank - Aspen and Volare from 04/02/1977 to 1979, All 1977-1979 Diplomat and LeBaron
- Gas Tank - 1980 Aspen and Volare, 1980-1989 Diplomat, 1980-1981 Lebaron, 1982 New Yorker, 1983 New Yorker Fifth Avenue, 1984-1989 Fifth Avenue, 1982-1989 Gran Fury
- Exhaust Y-pipe - 1978 to 1979 LeBaron 360 (non-cat) Y-pipe - All models
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Topic: Bodies: F/J/M Body Interchange Information (Read 43533 times)
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