I was sure I saw it mentioned on here but i cannot find the post. Im laying out my mini tub frame kit. on a 65 GS frame. The "cut" and "bend" templates do not line up well with my frame. The 3 holes-one slotted, do not align very well with the provided printed template. not even close. (probably another buick one off thing?? ) For the guys that did this, How did you lay it out? The wheel arches seem to fit up pretty good. I can get pics of the issue if need be.
Well I figured it out, It all came to me that I just had to use a bit of geometry to do this. Very simple stuff. It's all on and welded up now. Came out pretty good.
Those kits looked pretty well thought out. Saw them at Autorama in Detroit years ago. When you have some time post up some pics of your progress. We'd like to see.
Id do a few things different now that it's done. but that's how things go when you do this for the first time. I still want to fish plate it and weld in some gussets on the lower control arm mounts. I also need to take care of some pretty wide gaps that need to be filled. the biggest thing is my calipers now clear the frame. This is a 9" thats been narrowed one inch on both sides.
Im not really sure yet. The tires I have now are 275-17's if I remember right. Ill drive with those and figure out what I can do when the time comes. It sounds like a 295 will fit with no problems. The real reason for the Mini tub was to narrow the frame. My calipers was hitting on the frame, I no longer have that issue. at this time im thinking of putting off the body mini tub work.
If I recall there was a company that made larger factory style inner tubs for A bodies. It's been a while so I can't remember who it was.
I have the tubs but the body is in pefect shape. And it looks to be a MUCH bigger job then the frame was. I'm hesitant on doing the body tub right now. A guy locally Quoted me $4,000 in labor to install the tubs in the body alone. OUCH!!!!!
It is a lot of work. I saw a trick where you split the factory tub. Basically leaving the outer section connected to the quarter panel and replace the inner section with the deeper aftermarket tub then welding the two together. This would at least minimize the risk of possible body damage trying to remove the outer tub.
That's they way mine were done on my 64. Makes much more sense to do it that way, unless you have rust issues to tackle at the same time. If rust is not an issue, just split them and add a center piece.
There are some mini tub videos on YT that might help. Now that you have the frame done you have a good guide of how far back to cut. Some guys just use the stock style tub and weld a strip in between the two halves to widen it that way. Once it's welded, seam sealed and painted you won't really even see it.
Doing this same thing right now. I did the frame first,now it’s off to get 1/4’s and the ABC inner tubs. I will start my own thread.
