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Square tubing strength?

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by termin8ed, Nov 4, 2005.

  1. Nov 4, 2005
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,422
    I've got some 2" square tubing out in the shed, 1/8" wall.

    I need to do something with the front crossmember/radiator support on my 68. I have another crossmember off a scrapped out frame that I could cut and paste onto the 68, but I'm planning on putting power steering in this winter. Since I have to fix or change the current crossmember, I was thinking about using the 2" tubing I have.

    My question is will the 2" square tubing be strong enough to replace the crossmember, or should I find something bigger, or just put the other crossmember in and modify that one to fit the steering shaft?
     
    termin8ed, Nov 4, 2005
    #1
  2. Nov 4, 2005
    BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Hermitage, TN
    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2004
    Messages:
    1,552
    Brian at a guess I'd say you are ok.
    I've seen it done and I'm leaning to square tube myself.
    It all depends on the rockwell hardness of the steel. ;)
     
    BlueFlu, Nov 4, 2005
    #2
  3. Nov 4, 2005
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    I think you will be just fine with that.
     
    DanStew, Nov 4, 2005
    #3
  4. Nov 4, 2005
    CJMace

    CJMace Member

    Columbus, OH
    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2003
    Messages:
    60
    Square tubing is pretty strong as a cross member. It should be fine as a radiator mount. If you are attatching the old ross steering (DONT DO IT) then you may want to reinforce that area of the tubing. I would be a little concerned with the tube wall thickness, at 1/8 as an attachment point for the steering arm. If you are going to wheel the thing real hard, that will allow some frame flex as well. Some people want to keep the inherent flexibility of the factory frames. Some people want the most rigid frame possible. I think you will be fine with reinforced steering arm mount. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
     
    CJMace, Nov 4, 2005
    #4
  5. Nov 4, 2005
    JohnyJeep

    JohnyJeep BLOWING A XING NEAR U@2AM

    Beautiful Cody WY
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    513
    I used round tube and box plates. I will look for pics of what I did.
     
    JohnyJeep, Nov 4, 2005
    #5
  6. Nov 4, 2005
    JohnyJeep

    JohnyJeep BLOWING A XING NEAR U@2AM

    Beautiful Cody WY
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    513
    This is the only pic I could find. For some reason I am missing 4 months worth of pics from my buildup.:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

    Old crossmember in background, and what I replaced it with. It is plenty strong, so I would imagine square tubing would be even better.

    [​IMG]
     
    JohnyJeep, Nov 4, 2005
    #6
  7. Nov 6, 2005
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,422
    Thanks guys.
    Yea, I'm not putting the ross arm back on. Going with a saginaw power upgrade.
     
    termin8ed, Nov 6, 2005
    #7
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