My T-bucket frame

[Spanky]

I have a Spirit Cars frame which is 2" x 3" 3/16"-wall. I know Speedway uses 1/8" wall for their frames and I don't hear any complaints of frame-flex. What are the rest of you using for frames and do you think 3/16" wall tubing is overkill?

 

[LongJohn]

I think 1/8” is fine. There have been a bunch of frames with it used. I seem to remember going to 3/16” tube was a marketing idea so the frame could be tapped for brake line and wire clamps to clean up the looks of installation.

 

[RPM]

All of the frames I build are 2x3x3/16, I have built a few out of 1/4" wall, blown big blocks.

 

[Spanky]

Any advantages to building one this way?

 

[lincolnuT]

Spanky that is how my frame is done on the Yelot, It was built back in the 80's in Austin Texas as best as I can tell.....I have since renforced it with an .5inch bar runing underneath, mostly my thoughts for overkill.......

 

[Big Ayers]

Any advantages to building one this wa

2x3x3/16 on mine

 

[LongJohn]

With 2 rails you get a much stronger frame in vertical plane. That example could use more vertices but still adequate.

 

[PotvinGuy]

mine is 2x4 1/8 (narrows to 2x3 at front) and many miles in 30+ years. I think anything more is just wasted.

 

[Indycars]

mine is 2x4 1/8 (narrows to 2x3 at front) and many miles in 30+ years. I think anything more is just wasted.

Well I have to say you are obviously Wrong, LOL! I don't like having to drill big 1/2" holes to install to install threadserts. of some kind.

OK, go ahead and slap me around, I can take it Mr. perfect!!!

I have always drilled/tapped my frame with 5/16 or 3/8" threads, but I'm always been very careful about how tight I tightened devices, fuels pump, filters) with a 1/8" wall thickness .... think about it how many threads are there in 1/8".

So to stir the pot, do you use fine thread or course???
.

 

[PotvinGuy]

Well, it's been 30+ years since we built my car, so I gottta think a bit. The only high stress connections I recall are the 4 bar mounts. We used crush tubes and long bolts for those to go all the way thru the frame rails. I know there are some low stress mounts, like headlights ( used 4 bolts each for those). I imagine we used fine threads there. I'd look, but can't work on the car now that I'm a wimp.

 

[Pasthisprime]

Definitely not 1/8” for me. Just too thin, plus as others mentioned it can be tapped.

 

[Martin72]

Just answering a question, not wanting to get involved in discussion. 5/16" UNC = 18 TPI or 2.25 threads in 1/8". 3/8" UNC = 16 TPI or 2 threads in 1/8". Both 5/16" and 3/8" UNF are 24 TPI = 3 threads in 1/8"