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What size tubing to use?

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Old Mar 25, 2004 | 08:30 AM
  #1  
ravencr's Avatar
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From: Deep Gap, NC
What size tubing to use?

Hey guys,

I'm wanting to buy some tubing to use for two primary purposes, and I'd like to get by with one 20ft length to save some money. Here's what I'm wanting to use it for:

1) Rear suspension links
2) Skid plate reinforcements

I need something that I can easily use either spidertrax or pro-werks weld in tube adapters for the suspension links, and something that will not dent under most circumstances for the rear suspension links. What do most people use for those? Do they use 3/16" or 1/4" thickness, and what diameter is most common?

Chris
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Old Mar 25, 2004 | 09:23 AM
  #2  
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Chris-

I'd say go with 1 1/4" DOM tube with 3/16th inch wall-thickness. This has an I.D. of 7/8", which would let you use the weld-in threaded bungs easily (3/4" threads for 3/4" rod ends).

This would probably be overkill for skidplate reinforcing, though. I would use smaller for this, say 3/4" tube...
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Old Mar 25, 2004 | 10:39 AM
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From: GOLDBAR BABY!!!
I agree with loosehead, but I would suggest chromo for the lowers, thats how mine is being setup
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Old Mar 25, 2004 | 02:47 PM
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From: Deep Gap, NC
Originally Posted by loosehead
Chris-

I'd say go with 1 1/4" DOM tube with 3/16th inch wall-thickness. This has an I.D. of 7/8", which would let you use the weld-in threaded bungs easily (3/4" threads for 3/4" rod ends).

This would probably be overkill for skidplate reinforcing, though. I would use smaller for this, say 3/4" tube...
I'm only going to use the tubing for the skid plates in a few places, and you might be right about being overkill for that. So is that a pretty common size then for suspension linkages?

Chris
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Old Mar 25, 2004 | 02:48 PM
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From: Deep Gap, NC
Originally Posted by crash
I agree with loosehead, but I would suggest chromo for the lowers, thats how mine is being setup
Where do you guys recommend getting chromoly tubing from?

Chris
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Old Mar 25, 2004 | 04:29 PM
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Isn't chromo typically thinner wall - ie. dent easily??
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Old Mar 25, 2004 | 04:36 PM
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I have no idea, but I sure would like to know the differences between mild steel and chromoly before I make the plunge.

Chris
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Old Mar 26, 2004 | 06:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Cebby
Isn't chromo typically thinner wall - ie. dent easily??
The fact that it's chromoly has no connection to how thick the wall is. You can get thin wall, thick wall, solid, etc... Heck, a lot of gun barrels these days are chromoly.
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Old Mar 26, 2004 | 06:21 AM
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From: Chino Valley, Az.
DOM guide-

http://www.copperweld.com/pdfs/DOMSpecs.pdf

from mild steel to alloy steel- it shows yeild strengths, etc.

later
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Old Mar 26, 2004 | 03:24 PM
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From: Deep Gap, NC
Where can I buy chromoly tubing?

Chris
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