custom longarm questions?

[tony597fitter]

What size tubing is everone using? I see some that are 2" and a bunch tah seem to be alot smaller. Most importantly what size allthread. I can get everything at cost or usually free, since I am a union pipefitter at trade. My welding skills are superb considering I work in the refineries and nuclear plants, and every weld is 100% x-ray. Welding and putting pipe together is my bread and butter, I love to weld and can weld any metal. I dont mean to brag but when these kind of questions come up It seems like people are always asking how your fabricating skills are, so I figured I would get that out of the way.

[RCP Phx]

I used 2" with 1 1/4"x12 all-thread on mine.Also be aware that the arms should be built from DOM or Chromoly tubing(not pipe).I used all chromoly including the all-thread!

BTW:IBEW LU640

[Uglygreenxj]

First off, I work out of the plumbers/pipefitters hall in Phoenix (Local 469), and its good hear from you!

I am currently working on a long arm setup as well. Alot of guys (and most of the kits) use 3/4" - 16 threaded rod. Others use much bigger stuff. I believe RCP Phoenix used 2" O.D. Chromoly tube and 1 1/4" Chromoly threaded rod! His is an awsome (and beautifully crafted) setup. I am kind of torn on this issue. I am leaning towards 1 3/4"x .375 wall tubing. I had planned to use Johnny Joints with the 3/4" -16 rod. I figured that if its strong enough for most of the kit manufacturers then its good enough for me. Now I'm not sure.

[XJguy]

RCP, I was wondering about how much did you spend on the 4130 tubing for you CAs? The reason I ask is because I am making my own too, mine have a few differences than others but nevertheless, the tubing quotes that I am getting so far add up to about $800!!! With the bushings, machining and other special doodads Im adding will bring them to well over $1000. Might be the most expensive XJ CAs in existance.

Where did you get your 4130?

XJguy

[RCP Phx]

Everthing including the crossmber and new Super-ride uppers(I had Super -flex uppers) was just at $400 dollars.

RE- upper ca's/JJ's

Mcmaster- allthread/rod couplings

Aircraft spruce- Chromoly tubing/plate/flat stock

Modesto steel- "the really hard to find"sleeves for the factory bushings

Napa- bushings

[vintagespeed]

I used 1.5" .288 wal DOM. This allows you to tap the DOM for a 1" x 14 allthread for adjustment. I wouldn't consider 3/4", that's barely large enough for steering IMHO.

[XJguy]

I dont get it...Aircraft Spruce is the most expensive place around! Im getting prices from actual mills/distributers and manufacturers using RFQs and all....so Im getting the stuff at wholesale...I guess the sizes and lengths I am using are just adding up. Jeez at these prices even if these turn out to be the greatest control arms ever I can never offer them to fellow XJers, I can barely afford them for myself!

XJguy

[RCP Phx]

Three things I really like about Aircraft Spruce ...........

You can buy it by the foot(no cut charges)
They have it in stock
They ship the same day

[roXJeepr]

[i]

Mcmaster- allthread/rod couplings

[/B]

I may have to look again...but when I bought my 1"-14 from McMaster, B7 was the best grade I could find. I never saw any chromoly there. Did I just not look hard enough?

[RCP Phx]

www.principalmetals.com/specifications/astm-asme.htm

ASTM A193 -(B7, B7M) Covers 4140 Alloy Steels in Bolting Material

[tony597fitter]

Thanks Guys. Yeah I know dom or chromemoly is the way to go. I call it all pipe if its got a hole through it and you can run something through it then its pipe to me anyway LOL. By the way I am out of Pipefitters local union 597.

[MaXJohnson]

Originally posted by tony597fitter
Thanks Guys. Yeah I know dom or chromemoly is the way to go. I call it all pipe if its got a hole through it and you can run something through it then its pipe to me anyway LOL. By the way I am out of Pipefitters local union 597.

So, then...






































Beezil's head would qualify as Pipe ???