70 Cuda what does A32 actually mean

[jlemler]

First post here:

I have a 70 Cuda, 383, with the consolet in it.  I'm in the process of trying to figure a few more things out.  It came with the A32 option.  Here is what I have for the meaning:
3.91 gear ratio, sure-grip Axle, 8 3/4 Ring Gear
7-Blade torque-Drive Fan
26' Hi-Performance Radiator with Fan shroud
Hemi suspension

Here is the question, what does the Hemi suspension come with?  I assume the rear springs are Hemi, but what else about the suspension makes it a "Hemi"?  Also would this items be listed separately on the broad cast sheet and in the A group as A32?

Thanks for the help, great site.

[Cuda Cody]

Hello @jlemler   and Welcome        Glad you found us and took the time to post.  Hopefully we can help you with any questions you have about your car.  As for the axle code A32, I think that is a Dana code and only available with 440 & 426 Hemi.  I'll see if I can dig up the factory info, but this should be what's included?

A32 Super Performance Axle Package = 4.10 Ratio in a 9 3/4 Dana Axle w/ Sure Grip, 7 Blade Torque Drive Fan, 26" Radiator w/ Shroud, Hemi Suspenson Handling Package and Power Front Disc Brakes. Only Available in 440 & 426 Hemi w/ Auto Trans

[Cuda Cody]

Yes, having A32 would put it in the "A" group area of the broadcast sheet.    Depending on what other codes the car had, it could also be in another area on the sheet.  Plus there are accesory codes that will match in other parts of the sheet.  If you have a build sheet you can decode it here:

http://decoder.e-bodies.org/1970-build-sheet/

Here is the question, what does the Hemi suspension come with?  I assume the rear springs are Hemi, but what else about the suspension makes it a "Hemi"?  Also would this items be listed separately on the broad cast sheet and in the A group as A32?

[jlemler]

First post, first mistake, a new worlds record.  It was A31 code not 32.  Any help on what the Hemi suspension means?

Thanks,
Jeff

[Cuda Cody]

No worries...  here's the A31 axle code:

A31 High Performance Axle Package = 3.91 Ratio in a 8 3/4" Axle w/ Sure Grip, 7 Blade Torque Drive Fan, 26" Radiator w/ Shroud and Hemi Suspension Handling Package.  Only Available in 340 & 383's.

[Cuda Cody]

You can see the full Salesman Pocket guide here:

https://www.e-bodies.org/resources/data-books-salesman-pocket-facts-color-upholstery-guides/

The Full 1970 Plymouth Databook is being scanned right now and should be up in the next few days.  It's the next one in line to go up.

Click photo ENLARGE to enlarge:

[4mayhemi]

First post, first mistake, a new worlds record.

That's awesome Jeff! I kept mixing up the last 4 cast #s of my intake with my exhaust manifolds. The swap meet guys prob were thinking what a poser! Too many brain cells killed by beer!

Right place though, these guys are impressive and this site has a very positive vibe!

[1 Wild R/T]

Hemi Suspension gets bigger torsion bars, heavier rear leaf springs, HD shocks on all four corners & a front sway bar....

Every major item will be called out individually on the broadcast sheet....

[1971Y13]

Here's a bunch of them,
A31   69-71   High Performance Axle Package  w/3.91 Ratio
A32   69-70   Super Performance Axle Package  w/4.10 Ratio
A33   69-71   Track Pak w/3.54 ratio
A34   69-70   Super Track Pak w/4.10 ratio
A35   69-71   H .D. Trailer Towing Package
A36   69-71   Performance Axle Package w/3.55 Ratio

[cataclysm80]

Hemi Suspension gets bigger torsion bars, heavier rear leaf springs, HD shocks on all four corners & a front sway bar.

   Additionally, it gets some things that aren't coded on the broadcast sheet, like torque boxes, leaf spring mounting reinforcements, & pinion snubber reinforcement.
It might include a K frame skid plate and/or extra spot welds during assembly.
In the last few months of 1970 production, it might also include a rear sway bar.


1970 had three levels of suspension.
There was the low end used on base model cars.  It didn't have a catchy name.

Then there was the Heavy Duty Suspension that was also called Rallye Suspension.
It came standard on 340, 383 four barrel, and A35 trailer towing package cars.
torsion bars, leaf springs, shocks, front sway bar.  It included a rear sway bar from roughly late April 1970 and after.
It did not include the pinion snubber reinforcement or K frame skid plate.  I don't recall about the torque boxes at the moment.

Then there was the Extra Heavy Duty Suspension that was also called Hemi Suspension.
It came standard on 440 & Hemi cars.

The 340 & 383 cars which would normally have Rallye Suspension, could get Hemi Suspension by ordering an A31 or A36 Axle Package.

[cataclysm80]

The various axle packages are frequently listed as including a 26 inch radiator with fan shroud, and a torque drive fan.
This isn't necessarily accurate.
I think what they actually have is Max Cooling and the High Capacity fan for whatever engine the car has. 

Unless you had a 225 six cylinder engine, Max Cooling did include a 26 inch radiator with a fan shroud.
Unless you have a Hemi, the Max Cooling 26 inch radiator is a different part number than any other 26 inch radiator your car could get.
Since you couldn't order an axle package on a six cylinder, it's safe to say that the axle packages came with the 26 inch radiator and fan shroud.

The fan is a bit more complex though.
Hemi engine always had torque drive fan.

440 engine without Max Cooling used a torque drive with a manual transmission, but just a fan spacer with an automatic transmission
440 engine with Max Cooling (either transmission) used a fan spacer and a special high capacity fan blade

383 (two or four barrel) never used a torque drive fan, it just had a fan spacer.
383 with Max Cooling used a special high capacity fan blade instead of the regular fan blade

340 used a torque drive IF the car didn't have air conditioning.
340 Max Cooling was the same as 340 without Max Cooling.  No difference.

318 & 225 cars never used a torque drive, and you couldn't order an axle package with them either (but you could still get optional Sure Grip, and sometimes an optional gear ratio, depending on your transmission).

Except for the six cylinder engine, any car with air conditioning used a thermal drive.  It resembles a torque drive, but it has a coil spring on the front which has something to do with sensing temperature.

[xx88man]

Hemi Suspension gets bigger torsion bars, heavier rear leaf springs, HD shocks on all four corners & a front sway bar.

   Additionally, it gets some things that aren't coded on the broadcast sheet, like torque boxes, leaf spring mounting reinforcements, & pinion snubber reinforcement.
It might include a K frame skid plate and/or extra spot welds during assembly.
In the last few months of 1970 production, it might also include a rear sway bar.


1970 had three levels of suspension.
There was the low end used on base model cars.  It didn't have a catchy name.

Then there was the Heavy Duty Suspension that was also called Rallye Suspension.
It came standard on 340, 383 four barrel, and A35 trailer towing package cars.
torsion bars, leaf springs, shocks, front sway bar.  It included a rear sway bar from roughly late April 1970 and after.
It did not include the pinion snubber reinforcement or K frame skid plate.  I don't recall about the torque boxes at the moment.

Then there was the Extra Heavy Duty Suspension that was also called Hemi Suspension.
It came standard on 440 & Hemi cars.

The 340 & 383 cars which would normally have Rallye Suspension, could get Hemi Suspension by ordering an A31 or A36 Axle Package.

So does this mean that all 340 cars that had the A36 Axle Package got the Hemi Suspension?   

[jlemler]

So let me ask this, what was so special about the axle?
What was the tires that came with this as well?

The car I have is a 383 Cuda, with the, "Gran Coupe" interior with consolett.  It was a bare shell, fortunately the hardboard headliner was with the car.  B5 Blue is the color.

[Cuda Cody]

The axle package was the only way to get the 3.91 gear ratio (pretty sure that is correct).  Plus you got a lot of cool suspension upgrades too. 

So let me ask this, what was so special about the axle?

[Plum_crazy_T/A]

I had this 70 RT/SE that was an A32 car. It had the Dana 60 with 4:10 gears and the heavy duty 727, heavy duty radiator and fan. 440 engine.