Thread: 40 Studebaker street rod build started

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whats the wall thickness of the 1 inch retangle tubing?

I see what Jerry is thinkin'. That 1" square material will be about as helpful as a parasol in a whirlwind. You're wasting time, material and money. Use minimum 1"x 2" rectangular with 0.120" wall, long side vertical, short side horizontal. You don't need a driveshaft loop at the rear of the driveshaft, you need one at the front, within 6" of the front U-joint, to prevent the u-joint from augering up through the floor sheet metal and turning the lower part of your body into hamburger. It has happened at the drag strip. That's why there is a rule covering it. See Section 21, page 11, 2:4, Driveline.....
http://promod.nhra.com/userfiles/fil...en.%20Regs.pdf

The rule becomes mandatory at 11.49, but I recommend a loop on anything that has a U-joint at the front. Pay close attention to the material used.
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The part of the structure/frame with the 1 inch tubing has no triangulation what so ever and will do nothing to increase strength in any direction-lateral, vertical or rotational/twist-------

Thank you for finishing my thought Jerry.
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Thanks. Yes adjusted for some anti-dive. Have mocked up with a/m upper control arms and 2" drop spindles in the front, 2" block in the back. With the drivetrain in, the body set on, no interior, no trim, glass, wiring, etc., I have a 4" clearance to the street. That is at the front crossmember. I think that might be too low. The coils that it came with have one coil cut off. Thinking of going with a standard height spring and see where that puts me. Is there a common "standard"? Don't want to be scoopin' up roadkill. Here is a pic or 2.

put standardM2 spindles on it

I've got mine at 4 1/2... it's better at 5 I'd think. Speed bumps and some driveways are a "challenge"!

To "tech inspector": I'm not building a drag car. With the body installed, the structure is sound. A hefty trans mount (not pictured) helps the structure also. To Jerry and 34-40, thanks for the advice on the front height. I have the original spindles and may use them if necessary.