What size tubing for axle trusses

AllGoNoShow · Mar 13, 2013

I am going to be 4 linking my next project, so I will be building some axle trusses for my D60 and Sterling 10.25. I have decided to make them out of square tubing. My question is what size tubing and what wall thickness are you guys using? For reference, if you are using round tubing, what size, thickness and type of steel are you using. Has anyone seen any problems with using a certan type or size of tubing for a truss? Thanks.

TBItoy · Mar 14, 2013

I've been wondering this too.

I don't particularly like the "Artec" and other plate style trusses/link mounts.

I was thinking 1.75x.188 wall DOM

or

2x3 rect tubing laid down (wide side up) across the axle like /``````\

huff75 · Mar 14, 2013

Nice.

I would think for square tube 1 3/4, 3/16wall would work. It just kinda depends on how you brace it but I would think you want a big enough tube size to get a good "foot" on the axle tubes.

Rockwells607 · Mar 14, 2013

I've used 2x2 1/4 wall square tube on several truss's and had zero failure, I'd think 1/4 wall Dom for round would be sufficient as well. I'd rather overkill then not enough cuz If you rip a link off and tear the bottom of a shock up your gonna hate yourself...just my 2 cents

Lil ugly · Mar 14, 2013

I have built several tube style trusses using 1.5 x .120 wall DOM. I use two bars that are spanned by 3/16 plate and attach the link mounts to the plate. They have held up well and look ok. they are not sexy like WOD or M&M offroad trusses but they have some nice lines. I have also built a couple out of the rectangular tubing as well. They tend to be a little more difficult IMO. You really dont have much choice but to use it narrow side up unless you do a fair amount of cutting and bending at the location where the truss meets the axles tubes. It takes alot of time to cut and grind it to fit right and then it is difficult to weld the underside of the square tube to the axle unless you leave a bunch of room between the bottom of the truss and the diff. You also have to work at making your angle cuts just right so you are not trying to fill a huge gap with your welding. (Not that I have not done it but it is not the right way). Next one I am building is going to something out of 3/16 plate bent and welded together to form a box truss.

drivermod · Mar 14, 2013

Mine both front and rear are 1.75" x 1/4" wall round tube.

cjunknxs · Mar 14, 2013

I used 2.5" 1/4 wall square tubing.

Neal3000 · Mar 14, 2013

Lets see some pics

I made this one out of 3x4" 3/16" rectangular tube and some scrap peices of tube

BigCountry · Mar 14, 2013

2x2 .250 Wall...I like it

krackem · Mar 14, 2013

I don't like tube trusses had the front and rear break on the last buggy me and a buddy built ended up using square tubing 2x2 1/4 wall no problems afterwards last pic is after we redone it broke the front and rear truss in the drive way playing :****:

yankster · Mar 14, 2013

If you go the round tubing route definitely double up and plate in between like Lil ugly said. This was done with 1-5/8 welded seam 0.125" WT.
Round tube lets ya add some style as well as strength, but 1/4" 2x2 will be stronger with less work.

AllGoNoShow · Mar 14, 2013

Thanks guys, keep the pics coming.

Lil ugly · Mar 14, 2013

This pic is not real clear but it gives you the idea. One thing I have done with my trusses that I did not mention in my previous post is tie the truss to the diff cover. I think this should be done regardless of what style you build or buy. Mainly because it helps distribute the rotational forces and keeps the pinion from going up while the truss tries to go the other way. It will let you build a lighter truss.

Neal3000 · Mar 14, 2013

^^^^Sweet!^^^^^^

Blase · Mar 14, 2013

Lil ugly said:
This pic is not real clear but it gives you the idea. One thing I have done with my trusses that I did not mention in my previous post is tie the truss to the diff cover. I think this should be done regardless of what style you build or buy. Mainly because it helps distribute the rotational forces and keeps the pinion from going up while the truss tries to go the other way. It will let you build a lighter truss.

Sweet looking truss! Got any photos of it on the rig all tied to the diff cover?

bobo · Mar 14, 2013

Buddy had this happen.

Truss was 1.75", 120 wall DOM with gussets at axle tubes. As you can see tube broke just above gussets, made for an interesting recovery.

Replaced it with a 1/2" plate style truss with no issues. IMO go heavy on your truss, if it fails it is a mess!!

Jeremy

Lil ugly · Mar 15, 2013

Blase said:
Sweet looking truss! Got any photos of it on the rig all tied to the diff cover?

Not that I could find. Buddy of mine owns the rig now I will see if he can post a pic of the truss and diff connection.

Lickliter21 · Mar 15, 2013

I built mine out of 1/2 on top across the axle and ends. 1/4 on front and back and a piece of 1/8 to cap the inside.

Lil ugly · Mar 19, 2013

Blase said:
Sweet looking truss! Got any photos of it on the rig all tied to the diff cover?

Here are some pics of a similar truss to my first post. connection to the diff cover is the same on both trusses.

1TONZR2 · Mar 19, 2013

Mine is similar to what Lil Ugly. It both of the tubes are 1.75" DOM and the plate between them is 1/2" and the gussets on the side are 3/16". The back tube is notched around the upper part of the diff and welded to it.

Brian