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Mini tub vs full tub

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dodgediesel59

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So the guy I plan on having do my body work on my 68 stopped over last night to look over the car and go through some prices on what I wanted to do. I originally wanted to do a full tub and 4 link, but the cost at this point is much greater than I can justify. What he reccomended was to go with a mini tub, super stock leaf springs and caltracs. He said that running a giant slick is not always the best because you loose so many pounds per square in on the tires that it hurts more than helps. So my question is what you guys think of that setup and what size tires have been fitted under a mini tubbed b body? I think I scored a dana 60 to cut up for the rear end tonight!
 
Mini tub,Caltrac's whole system is the way to go. My street meats are 16.5 X 31 on a '63 Plymouth.
 
Yup, full Caltrac system. Big and small tire cars both have pros and cons......of course either has to be setup correctly.
 
I can easily fit my 30" x 12.5" ET streets on my mini tubbed 69 belvedere. About 1" - 1.5" away from rubbing on either side, though a 15" tire is out of the question. I'm running a 4 link, btw.

Rubbing is not the only issue, removing the tire can also be a big issue. My axle is stock length, so my wheels have a lot of offset, like 7" if I recall. That combined with my low stance makes it a bit of a bear to remove the tires, as it is I have to jack one side way up in the air with the other planted on the ground to get enough clearance. My plan is to tuck the tires in even more, but then I'll have to unbolt the shocks and let the housing down to get them out.

This is how i bought the car, and when I get new rims (in a couple of years) I plan to cut the housing down and get the rims with only a couple of inches offset.
 
Yea I picked up a Dana 60 full float out of a pickup that the guy is going to narrow and convert with Moser axles. So I need to also find tires and wheels to mock up with. So I could probably run a 15 10 wheel with little to no offset right?
 
Mini tub and caltracs. Can get 13.5x31s tight under the '64. 12.5x29s easily with 2" narrowed rear on each side and 4-3/4 offset 15x10 rims..
 
Ran 12.5W (13 1/4" tread width) on a 68 road runner with mini tubs and a narrowed axle. If you run the CT's, run their springs too because they are designed that way and imo, they will work better. Many run the CT system because of class rules etc where other suspension systems are not allowed. In my experience with the CT system, they seem to work better if your weight bias is pretty good but that's usually true with any system however, I like ladder bars with coil overs better and they don't cost much more either.
 
dodgediesel59 said:
Yea I picked up a Dana 60 full float out of a pickup that the guy is going to narrow and convert with Moser axles. So I need to also find tires and wheels to mock up with. So I could probably run a 15 10 wheel with little to no offset right?
Click to expand...

Myself, I would stay in the neighborhood of 4" offset just to coverup the brakes, especially if you plan on running discs.

- - - Updated - - -

2059 said:
Mini tub and caltracs. Can get 13.5x31s tight under the '64. 12.5x29s easily with 2" narrowed rear on each side and 4-3/4 offset 15x10 rims..
Click to expand...

That's a big tire! That's about what I figure my reasonable limit is as well.

- - - Updated - - -

HEMI-ITIS said:
Mini tub,Caltrac's whole system is the way to go. My street meats are 16.5 X 31 on a '63 Plymouth.
Click to expand...

Yeah, caltracs are definitely the most economical. My 4-link retains the back seat, but the floor needs to be cut up and boxed for the front brackets, not to mention all the supports that need to be welded in. Unless someone could do the fab themselves, that is.

Hemi-itis, you fit 15" meats in mini tubs!? Haha, that has to be as record! Are the frame rails in the stock position? I guess if I rolled the fender lips I might have a bit more clearance but 15's!?
 
So If I find a 12.5" wide tire on a 10" wheel I should be able to fit them with a narrowed axle? I don't want to buy them to find out it doesn't fit! Thanks for all the opinions guys! The dana 60 will look pretty damn tough under there!
 
dodgediesel59 said:
So If I find a 12.5" wide tire on a 10" wheel I should be able to fit them with a narrowed axle? I don't want to buy them to find out it doesn't fit! Thanks for all the opinions guys! The dana 60 will look pretty damn tough under there!
Click to expand...

Fits with ease. I'd wait till the axle is in just so I can be sure to get the offset just right.
 
Well basically I need to pick my rims and tires, and this guy will make the axle Fit everything else.
 
Anybody know where I could turn up some used tires? Every thing I find I'd too narrow or too wide!
 
dodgediesel59 said:
Anybody know where I could turn up some used tires? Every thing I find I'd too narrow or too wide!
Click to expand...

If you're patient, I put an ad on here's while back and in a month or so someone responded with some very nice ET Street radials. I'd put an ad here, FBBO and moparts. Since they're just tires, maybe check racing junk?
 
I found a set of mickey Thompson Sportsman 29x15.5 that have a sectional width of 15.3 inches. I'm not sure if they will fit or not but the deal is pretty good on nice aluminum wheels.
 
Heh heh, that sure is pushing it, bud. I'll take some pictures of my setup with measurements later this evening and post em.
 
Hmm, been a while since I looked at this. Looks like I have about 3" clearance on the inside, about twice what I thought. On the outer edge, the rear if the tire is tightest, and is about at its limit.

Forgive the dirt, my driveway is torn up as we add onto the house.

Sorry the pix are all sideways, the damn iPhone confuses the website for some reason.
image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg
 
Thanks for all the good info 413! I talked to the builder today and he said that 29x15.5 sportsman is the absolute biggest tire that will fit with a mini tub. The rims are all centerline solid aluminum ones, tires are probably half life or less all around and one steer is junk due to tread seperation. Comes will all lugnuts and center caps and the guy wants 600, does that sound fair? Builder said he doesnt like those rims because there is not as much cooling for the brakes, but the price seems right in my mind.
 
Yeah I know those rims. I've been thinking on going to something similar as well in the future. My thinking is going with solid aluminum ones from maybe weld wheels and powder coating them black so I get the A12 look with lighter weight wheels.

Heck you've given me plenty of good ideas too - I like the idea of 15's, bigger the better!!!

I think I might just keep an eye out for a good deal on some rims and tires and one day have my housing cut to fit them in the future as well.
 
Interesting as you all know the 66-67 mopar B-Bodies didn't have lots of room so i am thinking of Mini-tub mine i have a pair off 15 x 10 steelies i have been saving to use on my car i have seen some very nice work to when you open the trunk it looks all stock how it was done does anyone have any good pics for that year of mopar that was done.
 
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