few little questions on mini tub project.

[Topless69]

Well I have spent some time checking in 3 differant archives and still have a few questions about some aspects of mini tubbing my 69.

I'll say up front that this car is street car and might see the strip once or twice a summer.

1.) I read that after mini tubbing and moving the leafs inboard with offset shackles and WITHOUT shorting my axle, with the correct backspacing I should be able to end up with a 2.5" max outer rim lip. Sound close..?
2.) Also read that you CAN use normal shocks if need be. TRUE..?? Or do you have to run minitub shocks.??
3.) When mounting the upper part of the shocks I read conflicting posts about the degree angle these should be at. Some say 5deg. someone said 12 to 15 deg....?
4.) Subframe connectors: Wheather bolt in or weld, when you tighten/tach them in place they should have the weight of the car on them correct..??
Thanks guys.

[ProdigyCustoms]

1.) I read that after mini tubbing and moving the leafs inboard with offset shackles and WITHOUT shorting my axle, with the correct backspacing I should be able to end up with a 2.5" max outer rim lip. Sound close..? Depends on the wheel, but 2.5 to 3" wll be correct, you will run a 8" back space on a 12" wheel
2.) Also read that you CAN use normal shocks if need be. TRUE..?? Or do you have to run minitub shocks.??Depends on springs. if you use lowered springs you need shorter shocks. Also, you will not have the structure require for a shock with a stud on top like the factory uses, so you will be looking at building some reinforcemnt if you want to use the factory shocks
3.) When mounting the upper part of the shocks I read conflicting posts about the degree angle these should be at. Some say 5deg. someone said 12 to 15 deg....? Straight up
4.) Subframe connectors: Wheather bolt in or weld, when you tighten/tach them in place they should have the weight of the car on them correct..?? I like the car on the wheels when i attach it to the subframe

[Topless69]

Thanks Frank,
I have Hotchkis lowering springs so looks like smaller shocks. Just trying to spend the $ on stuff I absolutly need up front.

shocks straight up you say. Ok. I am going to fab the upper mount bar. Thanks again.

[Topless69]

Frank one more question. Has anyone used any other type of shock like off a mini cooper or air shocks or something..?? do you know the mini tub shock measurment(size), how tall/short just curious.

[BrianP]

Most OEMs angle the shocks to help resist body roll