Mini tubs in a convertible?

Author Topic: Mini tubs in a convertible?  (Read 2772 times)

Offline Cuda416

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Mini tubs in a convertible?
« on: December 10, 2011 - 08:59:30 AM »
Ok, big can of worms potentially.

I have a 70' Barracuda convertible that has no real redeeming quality than the convertible part, well, and it's a 70 e-body :)

I am thinking about putting in mini tubs but that will require modification of at least two convertible specific parts. The wheel house caps and the cross member that sits behind the rear seat.

So I was actually thinking I could just remove both if these items in case someone at a later date want's to un-eff the mod then fabricate the required replacements. Even if I fab up new wheel housings and a narrower cross member, I'll need to take into account how the top sits in it's well which is the reason for those of the odd wheel house caps in the first place.

Does anyone have any pics or examples of how people have handled this before?
70' Barracuda conv. (project)




Offline thedodgeboys

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Re: Mini tubs in a convertible?
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2011 - 07:54:15 PM »
How large of a tire do you want to run?

Im running 11 inch wide tires and with the correct wheel I might be able to go 12 inches wide.
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Offline Cuda416

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Re: Mini tubs in a convertible?
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2011 - 09:12:52 PM »
If I can put those under my car without mods, that would be great. I'd be happy with 10 inch wide tires. Did you have to modify anything?
70' Barracuda conv. (project)

Offline gkring

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Re: Mini tubs in a convertible?
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2011 - 10:12:30 PM »
Leaf springs in the way limit your tires, not the wheel well. Relocate the leaf springs with offset hangers to get the room you need. Basically no need to minitub it, if you need bigger you have to back half anyway where you start moving frame rails. Cudas have a little less room than a challenger, but you should be able to hit your goals easily.
Greg
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Offline CudaDownUnder

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Re: Mini tubs in a convertible?
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2011 - 01:43:10 AM »
Hi cuda416,

If you're after some proven wheel/tire combos, try browsing through this thread:

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=19470.0

Lots of real world facts in there.  ;)
1973 Plymouth 'Cuda

Offline mopar12372

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Re: Mini tubs in a convertible?
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2011 - 01:46:46 AM »
you dont really gain from mini tibbing with out moveing the frame in
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Offline thedodgeboys

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Re: Mini tubs in a convertible?
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2011 - 05:55:46 AM »
 :working:
If I can put those under my car without mods, that would be great. I'd be happy with 10 inch wide tires. Did you have to modify anything?


It's a bolt in deal  :working:
Off set hangers and shackles to move the leaf springs in 1 inch on each side and a b body rear end.

MOPAR and dr diff offer kits to do this swap.  :burnout:

« Last Edit: December 13, 2011 - 06:08:23 AM by thedodgeboys »
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Offline Cuda416

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Re: Mini tubs in a convertible?
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2011 - 08:21:25 AM »
Thanks everyone, I was not really looking forward to cutting the car up. Relocating the springs is a much more palatable approach and I will definitely go that route.

-C
70' Barracuda conv. (project)

Offline ragtopdodge

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Re: Mini tubs in a convertible?
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2011 - 11:50:56 AM »
Again, you didn't specify what size wheel/tire you want to do.

With a coilover rear suspension (like XV Level II), you can get a 12"wide wheel w/335 in there.

However, w/a Dr Diff 1' rear location of the springs, you can get a 10" wide wheel with 295s in there.  Backspacing around 6" w/a stock e-body rear end.
'70 318-auto Chally 'vert
'71 383-auto 'Cuda 'vert (sold)
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