Tube mounted beam queary...

[motorbreath53]

So, in an effort to gain more tie rod clearance, the tubes from my chassis that run to the beam were run narrower than would be ideal. (as is common practice right? But how narrow is too narrow? I have about 9" of unsupported beam...


The more I look at it, the more concerned i'm feeling. I could do a gusset from the end of the beam to the bend I created for the tie rod, but would that "dead tube" gusset be enough? Granted, the Beam is somewhat oversize as far as tubing goes... maybe that will help... but i'm curious;

For you guys with tube mounted beams, how much "unsupported" beam do you have?

In other words, How many inches from the last chassis tube to the trailing arms "dust ring"?

[Leatherneck]

My 2cents is gusset the beam ( see Busks) and run a vertical tube as close to the tie rod so both pieces are braced. But see what the geniuses say.

[rickosuave1987]

What about something like this? sorry for the crude pic...

maybe.jpg

And remove the X you already have...

[motorbreath53]

I had drawn up that exact idea Rick... but the chassis would be coming into the beam at a pretty wide angle.. well over 90*. I feel like that wide of an angle would forfeit the rigidity of the tubing. It would make a great "crush zone" for a front impact, but I don't think it would offer the same longevity in a woop section...

thanks for the ideas though... keep em coming.

Where's all those "mad scientist" types with their load annaylisys programs and 3D CAD drawings?

DG's probably too busy reasearching which window nets offer the best UV protecion... and Getrdone is busy stealing GM powersteering parts from the Target parking lot... Busk? He's no doubt driving his car right now...

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Motor, do you have a head on view?

Lee

[bajaherbie]

i did mine like rickO drew..... 'cept i didn't add the short red line.... you can kinda sorta see it in here... the straight ones to the beam are 23" outside to outside. then the angled ones connect to the beam and run to the tunnel thingy.

[Hedrock]

Herb... looks like the best way to go. I feel like you should at least add the short support from the bend of the lower fram rail to the beam. 9" is an awful lot to be unsupported

[Baja4]

Only my opinion, but do something for sure. Use to have about 7 inches of unsupported beam. Bent the front beam bad after some fair ground racing. Probably didn't help it was a latest rage beam. Added a support like Herbie's.

[Hedrock]

Here's mine... only about 4" to the outside of the beam. I'm sure it limited my down travel but I probably won't bend a beam. I figure I got the travel back when I put the lifted spindles on... (maybe?).

[CentralWAbaja]

Looking at your new sig line...sounds like you kicked that devil right in the bumpsteers.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Here's mine... only about 4" to the outside of the beam. I'm sure it limited my down travel but I probably won't bend a beam. I figure I got the travel back when I put the lifted spindles on... (maybe?).

I like what Hedrock has done but what if you added a "Tee'd" or "U" reinforced gusset piece between the two clamps to spread some of the potential loading on each of the beam tubes, up and down into both beam tubes; it would end up being kind like the mount the stock beam has where bolts go into the stock frame head. Just an idea…

Lee

Edited to clarify picture. this is kind of what I was talking about, You could also join the ends of the two torsion beams better using some kind of gusset to transfer loading around.

[Busk]

you need to go further out on the beam. when i set up the beam the first time i was in about as far as your tubes are. when i took the beam off, standard 6 over 2" .120 wall cromo beam, it had a pretty serious bow to it. it was definantly tweeked from being unsupported on the ends. on my current set up i added a tube as far out as i could with out hitting the shocks and put a bend in it to clear the tie rod at droop.

[motorbreath53]

Only 2" huh? Hm... the "small tube" on mine is 2 1/4 .120... the bottom tube is 2 3/8 .188 wall...4130... i'm almost embarassed for your beam (if you handn't been driving yours for an entire season anyway )

Thanks for the imput guys. I have all but cut my beam completely back off in a fit of rage. I've got a pretty good picture of what the bottom of the chassis will be. The top should be simple enough.. but i'm going to go out of my way this time to fit my spare tire up front.... (what the hell, its all cut back off anyway )

Don't hold your breath for updates though.. that Overtime train has come around... and I don't plan on letting it pass...

[Busk]

the new beam in the pic is 2 1/4 .120 top tube and the lower is 2 1/2 .250

[Hedrock]

the new beam in the pic is 2 1/4 .120 top tube and the lower is 2 1/2 .250

So there