Tubs & Frame Upgrades

[Raskull]

This thread is for the general discussion of the Article Tubs & Frame Upgrades. Please add to the discussion here.

 

[1cerberus4u]

LOL, looks like a nice 3 weekend project.... So, if I understand the pictures correctly, its as easy as:

Dissemble car
Fab frame table out of 4 post lift
Brace structure
cut out floor from fire wall to spare tire
Use 2"x3" ?? square tubing to run from front frame rails to rear end of car
Fab notch-ups for axle housing
Build tubs - checking wheel/tire fitment
Bunch of tin knocking to replace floor, tubs, seat etc
Trans tunnel and raised driveshaft
(I don't see how you dealt with gas tank - can you get a 20 gal back in?)
Rebuild rear seat
Install 4 link rear end
Paint
Re install wiring and plumbing
Re-install interior (if keeping the front of the car as it was)

I know I'm missing tons and am trying to just highlight what the steps are

Clearly your either Joe martin or your name is Kindig....LOL

So how many hours into just the fab? Guessing $15K in parts (for just the back half job) and a 35 lbs spool of wire?

Can one do this job without having to repaint the car?

Again, just wow

 

[1cerberus4u]

Did you fab or buy the rear cross member?

 

[1cerberus4u]

What is the vertical post in the passenger footwell tiying in the new frame?

 

[Raskull]

Wow! You sure showed me, didn’t you. You’ve asked members for help and we’re sharing our experience & feedback. Seems like you’re mocking that process.

First off, I make no claim to fame. My comment when I posted reads “maybe these images will help others who want to do it on their own”. I showed the actual method I created to upgrade tubs & frames on several of my hot rods based on articles, magazines, talking to other car builders and thinking out of the box. Real car enthusiasts know that cars aren’t built quick & fast as they appear to happen on a TV show. There was never any intent to imply that the process was fast, easy or cheap to perform on your own. There is most definitely a basic level skill set, competence & ambition assumed if you want to tub a car. Most importantly, your homework ahead of time like other members have emphasized.

To clarify your understanding of specific tub & frame pictures I posted:

No, you don’t have to disassemble a car to do this work. But, if one builds a car with a lot of horsepower and does not strengthen the frame system, chances are, when it hooks up, it will buckle the quarter panels. I’ve never seen a car that’s tubbed with big tires using leaf springs inboard enough to achieve the look you say you want.

I used a Chris Alston 6” drop crossmember. And, as far as repainting, be careful not to cut-through the quarter panel when you cut-out the old tubs! If you look closely, the gas tank is a 1966 Mustang 16-gallon unit. Your last ‘gotcha’ moment to me is the pic with a piece of steel and a 4# hammer. Those were used to drive the tubing down into the frame rail.

To answer your questions about supply & how much money, try taking your car to a qualified shop for a quote to do the job vs doing it yourself. There’s much more to consider such as the finished ride height, how much tire inside the wheel well, side clearance to the cross-section of the tire, drive shaft angles, drive shaft clearance, etc. It’s all up to you.

 

[1cerberus4u]

Wow! You sure showed me, didn’t you. You’ve asked members for help and we’re sharing our experience & feedback. Seems like you’re mocking that process.

First off, I make no claim to fame. My comment when I posted reads “maybe these images will help others who want to do it on their own”. I showed the actual method I created to upgrade tubs & frames on several of my hot rods based on articles, magazines, talking to other car builders and thinking out of the box. Real car enthusiasts know that cars aren’t built quick & fast as they appear to happen on a TV show. There was never any intent to imply that the process was fast, easy or cheap to perform on your own. There is most definitely a basic level skill set, competence & ambition assumed if you want to tub a car. Most importantly, your homework ahead of time like other members have emphasized.

To clarify your understanding of specific tub & frame pictures I posted:

No, you don’t have to disassemble a car to do this work. But, if one builds a car with a lot of horsepower and does not strengthen the frame system, chances are, when it hooks up, it will buckle the quarter panels. I’ve never seen a car that’s tubbed with big tires using leaf springs inboard enough to achieve the look you say you want.

I used a Chris Alston 6” drop crossmember. And, as far as repainting, be careful not to cut-through the quarter panel when you cut-out the old tubs! If you look closely, the gas tank is a 1966 Mustang 16-gallon unit. Your last ‘gotcha’ moment to me is the pic with a piece of steel and a 4# hammer. Those were used to drive the tubing down into the frame rail.

To answer your questions about supply & how much money, try taking your car to a qualified shop for a quote to do the job vs doing it yourself. There’s much more to consider such as the finished ride height, how much tire inside the wheel well, side clearance to the cross-section of the tire, drive shaft angles, drive shaft clearance, etc. It’s all up to you.Lor

 

[1cerberus4u]

Lord, no, please don't take this as mocking at all and in fact, its the exact opposite!! I am amazed at the work you did and and it looks like it so top shelf!

I was just trying to compartmentalize it in my brain on just the 100,000 foot level.

Again, my sincere apologies if you took it as anything but admiration and great guidance.... I only dream of being capable enough to create at your level....

Best