Tube Chassis for the Street

[rharveysr]

Was kicking the idea around of the possibility of building a total tube chassis for the street.  How would it hold up?

Thanks
Rick and Rickey Jr.

[Ace]

Won't be legal unless it has a VIN, unless your building one under an existing car.  I know a few of the latter that run around central Iowa and hold up fine.

[Joe-Dokes]

Why?

With drag radials getting so good and the ability of cars to run into the 8's and 9's on 10.5 inch tires, I see little point in going beyond mini tubbing your car. 

If you mini tub the car, add a cage and sub-frame connectors you will get a very stiff chassis that won't sound like a can of nuts and bolts in a coffee can. 

All that being said, it's your car.  A well constructed tube chasis is very durable, though I probably wouldn't drive the car in inclement weather, since the cabin probably won't be sealed as well as a full bodied car. 

Regards

Joe Dokes

[rharveysr]

The car would have a vin number. Everything from rocker panel to rocker panel from bumper to bumper would be removed...but the shell of the car would be there...

The reason that we would do it is just to do it.  As far as sealing ....it would be seals tight...

Rick

[Prodart]

Yes tube frames are legal even in Cali. The Motor vehiole book states sold, built by a manufacturer. There's some pretty good grey area there.

[75Dart440]

If I were going to drive a tube chassis car on the street (not racing), I'd probably build it from mild steel though.  It'll allow the chassis to flex a little more than 4130 would.  If it were made of 4130, I would check the weld joints periodically, for cracks.

[hemi_jay]

This sounds like a pretty radical design plan, what motor are you guys planning on putting in?

[rharveysr]

The last 2 projects that we did...we used DOM tubing. Like you said for the street it will flex better than 4130. As far as the motor...not sure yet. If we are going to build something like this for the street it would more than likely be a twin turbo 400. Dont have the big $$$$$$$$$$$$ to put a hemi in it. Is a tube chassis needed..NO...is it smart...Dont Know..would it be different...I would think so..would it give my son and I time together...YUP!

Rick

[75Dart440]

The last 2 projects that we did...we used DOM tubing. Like you said for the street it will flex better than 4130. As far as the motor...not sure yet. If we are going to build something like this for the street it would more than likely be a twin turbo 400. Dont have the big $$$$$$$$$$$$ to put a hemi in it. Is a tube chassis needed..NO...is it smart...Dont Know..would it be different...I would think so..would it give my son and I time together...YUP!

Rick

Would it be cool??  HELL YEAH!

[BigSlim]

Rick,

Get that thing buttoned up.    Weather gettin just about right to do some chevy huntin!!!! You guys can do all that stuff next winter.

[rharveysr]

You got that right.....
The tube chassis would not be on this car....We would like to pick up another 68 sedan like this one. Heard of a 67 and 68 sedan in Bakersfield that the guy wanted $1200 each...But right now all of the budget money is going into Rickey's car...

Rick

[Think3205]

You got that right.....
The tube chassis would not be on this car....We would like to pick up another 68 sedan like this one. Heard of a 67 and 68 sedan in Bakersfield that the guy wanted $1200 each...But right now all of the budget money is going into Rickey's car...

Rick

Thief!!! we saw them first!!!  j/k... I don't think we can make a move on either of those right now. but i'd be iterested in seeing you guys build a tube chassis as i have always wanted to build one myself... maybe i can come help!

[PureGTS]

There's some pretty good grey area there.

Here in California we invented the "grey" area!!        

But on behalf of those of us who live here, and feel bad about it, please accept our apologies for exporting it.    We never thought it would get out of San Francisco in the first place!  !

[440 ValiantCharger]

Is there nothing illegal in the USA, wish it was like that here, we cannot even use frame connectors, as you can guess we have lots of illegal cars roaming the street. . All our states have different rules so if you live in one state and work in another you break the law driving to work or home, time for our stupid government to wake up.

[Steve DeTar]

subframe connectors, 14 point cage, ladder bar with coil overs, stock front stub with 90/10 on front, 50/50's on back, fuel cell ect, streeter

[Prodart]

Little Pro Streeter



Part of the last thing people see

[Think3205]

Little Pro Streeter



Part of the last thing people see

what kind of bigass intake are you running that you need to pop out of the top of that hood scoop? 

[rharveysr]

what kind of bigass intake are you running that you need to pop out of the top of that hood scoop? 

A BIG ONE!........Come on Ben you should have guessed that.....Cant take you anywhere...(Robin told us).....


Rick and Rickey Jr.

[Think3205]

what kind of bigass intake are you running that you need to pop out of the top of that hood scoop? 

A BIG ONE!........Come on Ben you should have guessed that.....Cant take you anywhere...(Robin told us).....


Rick and Rickey Jr.

or maybe 2 intakes?       

yeah yeah i know...

[blackbetty]

I hope a tube chassis will be good on the street since it is what I am building. I will be running 2x4 frame rails and a 14pt cage. Most of the high end car builders are using full chassis in there cars. Check out Rad Rides by Troy.
http://www.radrides.com/

[jyrki]

Our car really isn't a tube frame car, but it hasn't got a lot of original inner structures left. The floor is welded to the framerails and the original rocker panels, A & C pillars and firewall are still part of the structure, so it's still considered a "uni body".
http://kuvablogi.com/nayta/iso/img906900.jpg
http://kuvablogi.com/nayta/iso/img906909.jpg
http://kuvablogi.com/nayta/iso/img906911.jpg
http://kuvablogi.com/nayta/iso/img906913.jpg
http://kuvablogi.com/nayta/iso/img906912.jpg

[jimmyb]

I plan on running mine on the street. We will see how it holds up shortly.

[Prodart]

I plan on running mine on the street. We will see how it holds up shortly.

Now there's a man who know's how to style!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

[jackie]

you can't drive that on the street..it don't have a radio!

[Prodart]

you can't drive that on the street..it don't have a radio!

Radios,  like windshield wipers are.............. OVER-RATED

[Midnight Special]

I plan on running mine on the street. We will see how it holds up shortly.

Now-I wanna be there when we meet at the local sonic for a diet cherry coke with lime and whatch the phords and chebbys and hundas pull in and we hear the coffee can horsepower!  First drink is on me!

[jimmyb]

you can't drive that on the street..it don't have a radio!

Radios,  like windshield wipers are.............. OVER-RATED

Who needs a radio when you have a 5 inch exahust

[Prodart]

I'm only runnunig 4" so i'm slinking back to my corner............

JimmyB your car is looking great

[rharveysr]

You only need a radio to cover up the hole in the dash..... ....

Rick and Rickey Jr.

[fasttcars]

I hope a tube chassis will be good on the street since it is what I am building. I will be running 2x4 frame rails and a 14pt cage. Most of the high end car builders are using full chassis in there cars. Check out Rad Rides by Troy.
http://www.radrides.com/

that's  exactly  what i went with but with 2x4 on the bottom  it's not considered a tube chassis it's  refered to just plain  chassis car.......when i started building my car  i considered  a full tube chassis{chromeoly}  but was warned by some big chassis builders  that  on  the streets it will flex to much  and   create  stress cracks.....so i went  with the 2x4  rails  for stability with a 14 point chromeoly cage...whose to say  that was the best  way to do it  or not   but it's what  i got