Question re mini tub

[Silly]

So I have really been kicking around the idea of doing a mini tub on my truck. Talked to a few places and like the prices and turn around time they have said.

Just confused on how that will effect the location of my stock style suspension? I just have the basic Flex-A-Forms, Cal tracs and QA1 shocks. But if I do a mini tub will the mounting points for those items need to be relocated?

Reasons I want to do the mini tub is two fold:

1. I dont like how the 10.5 tire sits in there, want it tucked in a little more

2. I want to have the possibility of running a 10.5w tire to mess with my gearing a little as I don't want to have to open up the rear.

Anyone go this route or can speak on it?

Mike Lee maybe? Any insight is appreciated. Thanks

 

[sy2675]

Re: Question re mini tub

To tub it wont you have to at least be notching the frame? my 315's almost rub the frame, the leaf springs are directly below that, so i would think you would have to relocate suspension parts as well.

But im no expert, just an opinion!

 

[Silly]

Re: Question re mini tub

To tub it wont you have to at least be notching the frame? my 315's almost rub the frame, the leaf springs are directly below that, so i would think you would have to relocate suspension parts as well.

But im no expert, just an opinion!

You are right, that is why I was thinking about the suspension relocation. Kinda just wanted to be told I was wrong cuz that is alot more work than I want to do.

But yes I would have to notch the frame.

here is a shitty pic of how the 10.5 sits with the frame rail right now. It fits.... but not by much.

 

[NOJIMMY]

Re: Question re mini tub

So I have really been kicking around the idea of doing a mini tub on my truck. Talked to a few places and like the prices and turn around time they have said.

Just confused on how that will effect the location of my stock style suspension? I just have the basic Flex-A-Forms, Cal tracs and QA1 shocks. But if I do a mini tub will the mounting points for those items need to be relocated?

Reasons I want to do the mini tub is two fold:

1. I dont like how the 10.5 tire sits in there, want it tucked in a little more

2. I want to have the possibility of running a 10.5w tire to mess with my gearing a little as I don't want to have to open up the rear.

Anyone go this route or can speak on it?

Mike Lee maybe? Any insight is appreciated. Thanks

...It sounds as though you want to narrow the rear end width and still run 10.5w MT ETs.
In my head mini-tubing increases the wheel well space for tire width, but you would need to
change the frame (by notching) and spring (maybe shock) perches location to take advantage. I would imagine
most owners look at 4-link or such suspensions at this point, although the
buick guys mini-tub their cars all the time (and notch the frame) to run decent size
rear tires (to solve the offset wheel problem). If no one responds I would ask one of them
or check out their website (on relocating springs, shocks, etc).

Lastly, in looking at John Gerbers Ty, or Jasons Sy, remember "tucking" the wheels
inside the wheel well (with the SyTy cladding) makes a Ty look quite different. Marty
even mentioned that he selected a SoGT so as not to have the fenders/cladding
wider than the rear wheels. But for racing, it would give you much more up/down
movement (so as not to hit the cladding when launching).

But Im only guessing as to the amount of work...but as you know bias tires grow
and Ty`s squat when launching, so hitting the cladding is a real possiblity.
There is a pic of the 9sec Sy launching with radials (I believe) that looks as if
he has to be hitting the cladding (due to weight transfer)...but maybe not.

-Larry

 

[Silly]

Re: Question re mini tub

Yeah larry I have a call in to get a quote for a mini tub/4-link. But if I went that extreme it would really all come down to the $$$. But then again what doesn't.

But you are also correct on the narrowing the rear... but that can sometimes be avoided by just going with a different back space on the wheel. So which is cheaper? A new set of wheels/tires or narrowing the rear? Haven't looked that far into it yet.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: Question re mini tub

i've seen shackle/hanger kits that look pretty simple and then you just weld/bolt in the notch piece and cut out the notch area. the hanger/shackle part is offset in a z shape

 

[NOJIMMY]

Re: Question re mini tub

...found these pics that may help http://community.webshots.com/album/417597327BfOMkP
Realize they may not be applicable to our vehicles.

-(this is a 9 sec GN. It also has roll cage for added strength. Notch involved plasma cutting
frame- a precise parallel cut, welding in piece, and reinforcing inside frame to account for missing steel on inside frame). Wheel wells are usually cut in the middle and a 2-4" piece welded in.
-(Dont believe an relocation of springs involved in this GN, but dunno.)
-Most Buick guys say notching sometimes needed to run larger tires on the street, but needs to be done by a Pro whose a very good welder.
-Some lightweight wheels (draglites, Weld, etc) only have "a limited number of backspace offerings".
Adapters are not recommended for drag use. So to tuck in wheels with max offset, buick guys notch.
-A couple guys re-framed their rear section buy cutting and reboxing (or tubing) their backhalf frame.
-Lastly, some said the rear end actually doesnt sit perfectly centered in their frames, so boxing
was complicated by trying to figure out how much frame to remove (since both sides werent equal
to "look" wheel centered when the rear end was "technically" in place.
Personnally, I would recommend it be done by a Pro so as not to have alignment issues,
handling problems, strength or flex issues, or a ill handling/traction problem. Frame shops
have large tables to clamp/preserve "straightness".
In hindsight I believe John Gerber and Jason had complete frames made (but Marty may have
had some insight into tubbing the rear half of his SoGT). Havent heard of anyone doing this
and still using the leafs on our vehicle (ie all that did went to 4 link, or similar setups).

-Larry