widen wheel tubs

[mopardart71]

where do i start after taking off the filler in the trunk?

[cudacain]

First you need a great big  then you need to  your self in the head then you need to  while reviewing the tech pages after you accomplish all of that you need to  and    if it is worth all the        . Atleast that is how I did mine. If ya need anymore advise I will be glad to try and help.

[mopardart71]

ive been lookin at other peoples cars on here and some are done a little different i started mine like the tech pages the cut down the middle i ran it along the seam so it will reman pretty much the same  the whole cut is this right?

[68dodge]

Everyone does it different, but you should be all right. You can see how I cut mine. Do you have any pictures?

[mopardart71]

ok will it be easier if i just buy some wheel tubs,i can care very less if it looks original.it seems like to much work already,gotta cut here or it wont fit right no cut there not there how about just cut it out and install tubs.does anyone here have pics on how they put there tubs in?thanks will

[Cpt Panzer]

 

[73swinger]

I feel your pain, I'm in the middle of doing mine. I'm an Industrial Millwright, have been weling and fabbing for years but honestly have never done such and ignorant job in my life, it's been fighting me the whole way but am glad to say (now that spring has finally sprung) that it should be road worthy in a couple weeks. BTW I also moved the springs, and added weld to the floor subframe connectors. Will send pics soon

[mopardart71]

well i guess the only way this gonna work is if i get ahold of a plasma cutter that seams like it will make it a tad easier,go back and make a template which i forgot to do and get a camera so people can se what im doing.

[b569rr]

My favorite cutting tool for sheetmetal is the 4.5" x 0.045" thick grinding wheel. The cut off wheel doesn't leave the small waves that a plasma can.

Follow the tech pages, but be carefull not to remove too much trunk floor at the rear of the new well location. These will be the areas closest to the spare tire sump.
See area next to my rool bar pad. Cut conservatively.


Use 0.023 / 0.025 solid wire only.

[BigSlim]

   Here in Baltimore we get them from Brock tool company. Not cheap but those cutting wheels and a 6" grinder really make jobs like mini tubs go a lot easyer.

[codfish]

Tom, why the small wire? 

I'm not a welder by any means, but I just bought a Millermatic 175, 230v, and am learning as I go.

Is .030 wire too big for sheet metal like this?


thanks
gary

[kendog170]

Here's my shoebox of pics I've been taking while doing my 68 Dart.Hope some help.Feel free to ask me questions.

[kendog170]

Opps! Hopefully this is it. I'm a rookie at this!!


http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562294723Vqmxzu?vhost=good-times

[b569rr]

Larger wire = higher amp draw which can lead to burning holes in the sheet metal. 0.030 is great on frame connectors /  torque boxes, spring hangers. etc.

Also, keep the wire gap short. Long arcing increases amperage causing burn through.

175 Miller is a good machine. You will never have duty cycle problems.

[Mopartist]

Oooohh....NOW I see where I was going wrong. I was using .030 wire and kept burning through the sheet metal on my quarter panel work. That in turn made me nervouis about doing my wheel tubs as well. (Being thinner gauge) I'll switch to smaller wire and keep the gap short. Live and learn 

[b569rr]

Oooohh....NOW I see where I was going wrong. I was using .030 wire and kept burning through the sheet metal on my quarter panel work. That in turn made me nervouis about doing my wheel tubs as well. (Being thinner gauge) I'll switch to smaller wire and keep the gap short. Live and learn 

Grasshopper. When you can grap the stinger from my hand, it will be time to go.

[Mopartist]

Qui Chang Ken is very greatful for the learned advice of Master Po.  Thanks bud!

[mopardart71]

KENDOG WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE TUBS?WHAT SIZE TIRE CAN YOU RUN WITH IT?AND WHAT SIZE IS IT?THANKS WILL,DID YOU CUT THE WHOLE TUB OUT?

[codfish]

Mine's closer to being done.  Just a few touch ups, and paint the trunk.





Worth the effort.

codfish

[kendog170]

Sorry for the late reply Mopardart21, Those are 36" Summit tubs.I cut out the whole original tub.I moved the tub forward about 1 1/2 ".I'm also going to stretch the forward side of the wheellopening 2".It's the front the tire will hit 1st.This is in a 68 Dart.I ordered MT ET street radiials 325/50/15.This is giving me about 1-1 1/4 space on each side. (hopefully enough).My tub is 15" wide. I had to mod the left tub to accomadate the gas filler neck.A 34" tub would be better but 36" is the smallest I could find.Get some construction paper and template,then you can duplicate the other side with them.I would start with the right side 1st so you don/t have to deal with the gas filler neck.Once you have the templates the left side will be easier.Mind you this is still in progress so I haven't narrowed my rearend yet so I wouldn't rely on my tire specs yet.There maybe room for a taller tire but I dought it.I jumped at the tires early cause I had enough money  but it was burning up fast.My motors in the machine shop right now so Ive been on hold for a bit. Kenny

[jackie]

ken ,can you set the car lower by fitting full tubs instead of minitubs? did you narrow your frame rails?

[kendog170]

I set the tubs up higher than stock so I could possibly lower the car some.Tubs are flush with the side frame rails and I left the outside rail on the inboard relocation kit.(see pics in my shoebox in my earlier post.)I drilled a set of holes 1" above the holes in my inboard relocation kit.But as I said I haven't tried fitting everthing yet so I can't say for sure how thing will work out.Once I do I'll post some more pics and a Post.I've been crazy busy this past month and haven't had a chance to work on it.I regretted cutting out my whole stock tub when I 1st did it.Theres a lot of trimming and fitting involved.Now that one side is almost done, I'm glad I did it.I know I wouldn't do it to a Barracuda with a fold down seat,that a real challenge.