What is the benefit of a tubed front end?

[thegreatjustino]

I need to replace both of my inner fenders, and a wheel well. Instead of replacing them with the same parts, I was thinking about getting rid of everything from the firewall out and doing a tubed front end like some people here have. I have access to a tube bender, notcher, and mig welder, so I have all the tools I need. I'm pretty sure the tube will be cheaper than the replacement panels, but what are the plusses and minuses of doing this other than cost?

 

[Madgyver]

PROS: Better access to motor and for cooler running temps

CONS: If you go through mud it's going to get all over your motor.

This is something that I could of done before deciding to repair the front cilp (core support, inner fenders). The main reason for not doing it was time plus I wanted protection from the elements with the inner fenders.

 

[Synds9]

i'm tubing out the front end so i can fit longer shocks, cooling, and because it's cheaper. my plan is to weld on some tabs to the tube so i can bolt on temp inner fenders incase i get into some mud or something. oh it would also protect your engine in a roll over alot better than that 18 guage steel.

 

[Dusty]

PROS:

1. It looks bitchin
2. Engine will run cooler
3. Easier access to the engine (not only are the inner fenders gone but the outer skins and grill can be easily removed for complete EZ access!)
4. More airflow through the grill, where you can mount coolers on either side of the radiator
5. You're removing cancerous sheetmetal

CONS:
1. You have to re-locate and/or fab new brackets for a lot of things, such as the radiator, batteries, electrical components, etc.
2. "Some" mud may get up on the engine, but most claim (myself included) that this is really not as big a problem as the anti-tubers would have you believe.
3. If you're gay you'll now have a bunch of unwanted attention from the opposite sex because CHIX DIG TUBED FRONT ENDS!

Dusty

 

[GRIZZLY]

No longer have to worry about how close your fan is to the radiator. You can pretty much set it where you're comfortable.....

"CHIX DIG TUBED FRONT ENDS!"
;D Sounds like a good t-shirt in the making Dusty......

 

[bpassmore]

Why cant bc or someone else sell these?

I posed the ? earlier on this board.

Will some vedor please offer a tubed front end for our EBs?
i dont have a bender, but i want a tubed front end. Cant these be mass produced?

 

[behemoth]

I also have recently asked about tubed front ends. My reasons were because the inner fenders were badly damaged, and I have a 6 cyl core support. I was also planning on adding some tabs to attach some form of inner fender. I wanted to do this only because I owned a car once that I had removed them on for that cool racer look. Rain and winter time sucked, snow, salt, and many other things get in there.

I like the tubed front end over the replacement panels, but the additional cost of buying the bender has not been approved by the boss(wife).

 

[bigpappa]

Anyone Have good pics of a tubed front end?

 

[Madgyver]

http://www.dustyland.net/broncopix/EBWIPNOV01M-04.JPG

 

[Howdy]

Re: Why cant bc or someone else sell these?

I posed the ? earlier on this board.

Will some vedor please offer a tubed front end for our EBs?
i dont have a bender, but i want a tubed front end. Cant these be mass produced?

I don't know if Bent and Twisted still sells them since they moved from Chico to Elk Grove, but it wouldn't hurt to give Mike a hollar and find out. It sounded like he was getting out of the fab part of the business and more into the retail area.

 

[Howdy]

Here is the link.

http://www.bentandtwisted.com/

Look under "rollcages" The last 2 pictures is the tubed front end for the EB.