Tubing material question

[MGrobe]

I am making my own Tie Rod/Drag Link/Track bar and need to know what to ask for material-wise from local metal shops. I am looking to buy DOM, but which should I ask for? ASTM 1020, 1026 or something else? Or does it matter only in size that is available? What size should I be looking for? I bought some weld-in bungs from WFO Concepts (they were great on the phone and sent my items out immediately with a tracking number same day) that have on OD of 1". I was leaning towards 1.5"x.25", but I wonder if I might incur interference in the Tie Rod if no where else. My application is on a D30 with WJ knuckles doing a cross over configuration, over the knuckle.

I want to be able to call around and quickly ask for what I need without unnecessary clarification along the way.


P.S. What this section could really use is a sticky with some guidelines for tubing usage in various applications. Such as for short control arms, long control arms, trackbar, cages, etc... With each one you could list minimum recommended tubing, to recommended, to thrash-proof tubing. I would be happy to do this myself, but haven't a clue what is appropriate. With a basic set of guidelines as a sticky I think everything would be tons easier to make a decision on.

[Weasel]

well 1.25" OD with .12" wall will be pretty close to a 1"ID. Ask for 1.25"OD 0.12" Wall Thickness DOM, prob. be a 1018 or 1020 grade which is just a mild steel, should be fine.

[xj4life]

1.5x0.25 and you should just be able to ask for DOM by name

[IntrepidXJ]

well 1.25" OD with .12" wall will be pretty close to a 1"ID. Ask for 1.25"OD 0.12" Wall Thickness DOM, prob. be a 1018 or 1020 grade which is just a mild steel, should be fine.

isn't that awfully thin for steering linkages that will be down in the rocks? i think .250 wall would be minimum

[MGrobe]

Okay, just went outside and looked at it and the best I can determine with the current spring buckets in the way is that the 1.5"x.25" should work or might need the smallest of steering stop addition. So I think that is what I will use for the tie rod.

What about draglink and trackbar? My only fear with running all 1.5"x.25" is clearance between the draglink and trackbar. I am not sure where/how my trackbar is going to mount at the moment, so I know what I am asking is vague.

Also I am curious about coil/shock mounts. With the four link+tb front setup is it important which side of the axle things mount? Meaning is there any advantage to shading the suspension in front of the axle as the stock seems to do versus right on top of the axle tube or even behind?

[Weasel]

isn't that awfully thin for steering linkages that will be down in the rocks? i think .250 wall would be minimum For a drag link and trackbar I wouldn't think so. For the tie rod, yeah it might be. Mine is a Big Dady tie rod, 1.25" OD. Don't know what the ID is though think it might be 5/8"?

[MGrobe]

1.5x0.25 and you should just be able to ask for DOM by name

That's what I figured, just hate to get blindsided with what type of DOM question.

[TrailHunter]

I've been to some shops and they didn't know the difference between HREW and CREW tubing and based on that, I'm sure they didn't know the different alloys. Some shops know their stuff, you just have to call around.

[88XJScott]

I would just order your steering tubing from the vendor on Pirate, because you can order the length you need, any size you want and you will still save money, even after shipping. A lot of those metal places will make you buy whole sticks (20-24') if you order DOM, or any kind of tubing...

I'm running 1.25x.219 so that I could tap it for 1 ton tre's and it has held up good. I would run the 1.5x.25 wall...

[JCSXJ]

I'm buying my materials from poison spyder customs. They have the 1.5" x .25 DOM for like $8.81 per ft. Thats ony $0.30 more than my local steel suppliers had it for, and that price was having to buy 20'. How much did they charge you for the weld in bungs?

[JBweld]

I just bought enough 1.375 x .375 wall DOM for a tierod from onlinemetals.com for about $50 bucks including shipping. They sell in small quantities.

[Dirk Pitt]

1.5" x .25 DOM for like $8.81 per ft.

Still want to buy from Poison Spyder Customs????????

http://www.schoolboybitch.com/techSteel.htm

[Weasel]

I'm buying my materials from poison spyder customs. They have the 1.5" x .25 DOM for like $8.81 per ft. Thats ony $0.30 more than my local steel suppliers had it for, and that price was having to buy 20'. How much did they charge you for the weld in bungs? Like being bent over? Chassis shop has 1.5" Chromo for ~6 a foot and ~5 something if you buy a stick. Shapiro Supply is another good place to check and usually cheaper. Anything from Posion Spyder is overpriced.

[JCSXJ]

Still want to buy from Poison Spyder Customs????????

http://www.schoolboybitch.com/techSteel.htm

Ok, so how do you actually buy from them????? I didn't see any contact information:confused:

[MGrobe]

I would just order your steering tubing from the vendor on Pirate, because you can order the length you need, any size you want and you will still save money, even after shipping. A lot of those metal places will make you buy whole sticks (20-24') if you order DOM, or any kind of tubing...

I'm running 1.25x.219 so that I could tap it for 1 ton tre's and it has held up good. I would run the 1.5x.25 wall...

I remember one vendor that was reasonable on Pirate, but I didn't bookmark it. What's the story with their search???

[MGrobe]

I'm buying my materials from poison spyder customs. They have the 1.5" x .25 DOM for like $8.81 per ft. Thats ony $0.30 more than my local steel suppliers had it for, and that price was having to buy 20'. How much did they charge you for the weld in bungs?

I think WFO charged me $13 ea. I purchased from them due to a recommendation from a few board regulars. Like I said above, WFO did a good job on the phone. Shipped everything on Friday before the holiday, when I am sure they wanted to leave work early.

[JCSXJ]

You have to be a paying member to use the search function on Pirate

[MGrobe]

That's what I figured. Must have changed it recently, because I could search back in april but haven't since. Oh well.

[Dirk Pitt]

Step by step...

1. Go to pirate.
2. Go to the miscellaneous vendors forum (at the bottom).
3. Click on the thread started by user "carwash"
4. Read the thread.
5. Buy tubing for ridiculously low prices.

Or...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=442891

You're welcome.

[Weasel]

or use google to search Pirate4x4.com domain

[MGrobe]

or use google to search Pirate4x4.com domain

That's what I have done occasionally in a pinch, but wouldn't normally admit to it.

If I truly get value from a website I don't mind being a paying member, I'll have to see what that costs.

[Weasel]

they don't care, in fact the encourage it almost. 20 bucks I think....

[Roxtar]

I bent a .120" wall (RE) trackbar so I built one from .250" wall.
I bent that and built one out of 1.25" solid.
Haven't bent it.


Yet.

[Goatman]

I bent a .120" wall (RE) trackbar so I built one from .250" wall.
I bent that and built one out of 1.25" solid.
Haven't bent it.


Yet.

You're an animal.












Not quite sure what kind of an animal........

[BrettM]

I think WFO charged me $13 ea. I purchased from them due to a recommendation from a few board regulars. Like I said above, WFO did a good job on the phone. Shipped everything on Friday before the holiday, when I am sure they wanted to leave work early.
WFO is awesome. Trevor and Beau will take care of you. www.WFOconcepts.com (530)268-9494

[JCSXJ]

Step by step...

1. Go to pirate.
2. Go to the miscellaneous vendors forum (at the bottom).
3. Click on the thread started by user "carwash"
4. Read the thread.
5. Buy tubing for ridiculously low prices.

Or...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=442891

You're welcome.

I went......I read.......that he is out of all material and has no idea when he will have more:D :D :D

[JCSXJ]

Forgot to say thanks anyway.....so thanks anyway:D

[MGrobe]

I ended up buying mine from the shop that is welding my bungs. 1.5"x.25wall for $7/foot. A decent price (no tax) without any hassles.
The shop owner claims they always have that stock laying around, so that works for me.

Now I just have to hope I get my measurements right. Speaking of measurements... I have my Tie Rod already figured out and have an idea how long my Drag Link will be (roughly 32"). What about my Track Bar? I know you want the track bar and drag link on a parallel plane, but should they have the same length? So if my Drag Link is 32 inches, then my Track Bar should be 32 inches as well. Coincedentally my previous Tera Adjustable T-Bar was roughly 32 inches long. I am trying to avoid any bumpsteer issues as much as possible and I will try to create a scaled-down mock-up in the next few days, but if someone has the easy answer I would appreciate it.

[BrettM]

parallel and equal length are both ideal, but it is often difficult to get both to fit. give priority to parallel and get the lengths as close as you can.

[MGrobe]

Thanks for the quick response Brett. Makes perfect sense.

Next question. How important or undesireable is it to have a fairly flat/horizontal Drag Link?

I have both the stock pitman arm and a ZJ pitman arm that offers roughly an inch more drop. My frameside track bar mount is going to be custom made so the drop there won't matter as that should be able to be built into the new mount.

[MGrobe]

Thanks for the quick response Brett. Makes perfect sense.

Next question. How important or undesireable is it to have a fairly flat/horizontal Drag Link?

I have both the stock pitman arm and a ZJ pitman arm that offers roughly an inch more drop. My frameside track bar mount is going to be custom made so the drop there won't matter as that should be able to be built into the new mount.


Thread continues here: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?p=863770#post863770