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Thread: Curious about "mini-tubing"
          
   
   

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  1. #1
    kahouna23 is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Car Year, Make, Model: 65' Chevy C-10 Fleetside
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    Curious about "mini-tubing"

     



    Just doing a little dreaming about how I want my 65' Chevy Fleetside to look in a year or two. I'm just curious right now. Just wondering what it all consists of and whether or not it's something that the "average" mechanic can do. I'm pretty much aware of the obvious things needed such as a shortened rear axle, wider fender wells, and wider rims/tires. How does this affect the suspension, and can it be done with air bags/cans? I can't lay a bead of weld to save my life, but I am in luck due to connections so if there's lots of welding....no problem. It's the fabrication part that scares the hell out of me. My knowledge consists of pretty much of what I've learned from shows on TV and remove/replace parts. So far, the project is going well. I've completely redone the interior, had a shift kit installed in the tranny, done some minor engine work (headers, carb, gear drive, electric fan, etc....)
    By no means am I ready to tackle tubbing my truck just yet, I was just wondering if I could pick your brains a little bit for some info. Thanks.
    Nitrous is like a hot chick with an STD...you wanna' hit it, but you're affraid of the consequences.

  2. #2
    REGs's Avatar
    REGs is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Car Year, Make, Model: 1946 Ford Coupe
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    kahouna23,

    You can go in two directions here.........

    The first is.....this is a project better left to a professional.......or at least someone that can wield a TIG/MIG gun.....math is a + also.......

    Basically your re-structuring your rear suspension at best. Get some lit & do some reading. Their are lots of decent "kits" availible for this type of condstruction work. Just be confident about your ability to complete the job.

    The other thought is to try & do this yourself & learn as you go with some printed guidance.

    My .02 worth.

    regs
    Last edited by REGs; 07-20-2006 at 08:13 AM.

  3. #3
    astroracer's Avatar
    astroracer is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Car Year, Make, Model: '88 Astro Van-BAD AST
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    This is alot of work and may (or may not) be required for the "look" you want. Doing a full on Pro Street makeover would involve all of the changes you listed above but, if you just want to put some larger tires under the truck with a little lowering, that can be done without too much of a tear-up. You need to decide what you want and go from there. A little measuring and figuring will go a long way to determining what would need to be done to fit your tires and wheels of choice.
    Check out this site for some info and a little guidance...
    http://www.cachassisworks.com/cac_how_to.html

    This is a calculator you can save to help determine how much room you have for tires and wheels. It works fairly well and it will get you familiar with your front and rear suspensions.
    http://webrodder.com/calculators/Hub-Wheel-Tire.xls
    Let us know exactly what you want and we can help a little more...
    Mark
    If money is the root of all evil... Women must be the fertilizer...
    Link to my BAD AST Build Thread:
    http://www.clubhotrod.com/suspension...van-build.html

  4. #4
    kahouna23 is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    thank you for all your opinions. By reading into this a little more, I'm thinking that what Astroracer said about just working with lowering and wider tires is the way to go. I'm just not equipped in the garage enough to tackle a project like that. Maybe the next one I'll go ProStreet, but for now I'll just admire some wider shoes in the rear. Thanks for all your help and setting me straight.
    Nitrous is like a hot chick with an STD...you wanna' hit it, but you're affraid of the consequences.

  5. #5
    BigTruckDriver is offline CHR Member/Contributor Visit my Photo Gallery
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    What the diference between mini tubing and tubing?what makes it mini?

  6. #6
    REGs's Avatar
    REGs is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    BTD,

    "Mini-tubing" came into play when "power-tour" vehicles hit the streets.........These mini-tubed vehicles were notoriously early muscle cars with tric of the week suspension mods.........kinda like putting a vette tire combo (and complete suspension) under a 68 camaro........not full on pro-street (drag race look alike) but a vehicle that has been lowered for handling purposes & looks.

    Usually 3-6" are added to the "stock" factory wheel inner house to achieve a "mini-tub".
    The the full on "tubbed" look requires removal of factory inner wheel house & replacing with a much larger almn. or steel pittsburg seamed tub.

    Just my input........

    regs

  7. #7
    Dago Red is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Pittsburgh seamed?

     



    Hey, just trying to find some information on tubbing (mini) since I need to do it to our truck to get wheels/tires under there (only option to get taller and wider tires without tubbing involves going to an 18" wheel).

    Anyways, what is a pittsburgh seam?

    Red

  8. #8
    Henry Rifle's Avatar
    Henry Rifle is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    A Pitssburg seam is a locking seam used to join pieces of sheet metal without welding or riveting. Look at page 2 of this document:

    http://www.swracecars.com/pdf/wheel_tub.pdf
    Jack

    Gone to Texas

  9. #9
    Dago Red is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    seam

     



    too cool man, thanks for the link.

    Red

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