Mini tub and cal trac suspension for A body Mopar! Info and how to

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

* drum to drum is exactly 51” mounting surface to mounting surface.

[@garygregory6142]

Would like to know pin to pin measurement

[@reapwhatyousow3383]

are your rims the 4.25" or 5.5" backspacing? thanks!!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

@@reapwhatyousow3383 cragars are 4.25 as said in vid. If you watch a newer vid I change to a Dana with dodfent axel measurements amd go to a 10x15 with. 4 backspace

[@einschwarzesauto]

Awesome video! Great camerawork too. Everything you talk about is 100% in frame and well visible. I wish more videos were this well done! Thanks!

[@BlownBudgetGarage]

Just came across your channel and apparently I’m about to watch every video you’ve posted because why not.

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Hell ya brother! Smash that like button too, Hahha. Thanks for watching bro

[@joewilliams918]

Great info. Back in 1981 when I had my 69 Swinger I made my own mini tubs and spring relocation. I had a 8-3/4 with 4.56 posi. I ran L60/15 tires on stock 15” rallye rims. Jack Williams re-drilled my axels for the big bolt pattern. I also swapped out the K member (mine was worn out) with a K member from a 1974 dart big bolt disc brakes and some 6 cylinder torsion bars. No internet back then, everything was from reading car magazines.

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Beautiful car!! I used the spring relocation on my 68 Dart, but didnt minitub. Had some steel 15x10 wheels altered to maximize fit. Used B-body springs to move axle back, but it moved it a bit further back, had to bend the tank flange for clearance. Added a couple leafs from the originals for homebrew SS springs. Never quite finished the car, so it still had the 7 1/4 axle, and amazingly it survived years of daily driving and weekend track use behind my mild 440!!!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Nice work awesome that 7 1/4 held up! Thanks for watching the vid

[@paulcabezola3559]

Thanks for posting this. I'm considering doing the same thing on my 68 Charger, it's a bracket car so this info is VERY helpful. Keep up the great work. Cheers !

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Hell ya brother! Glad you liked it!

[@TonyGeneseo]

You nailed it when u said WHEN U KNOW HOW YOU WANT YOUR SET UP TO LOOK or in so many words ! Lol. Love the car and the channel ! Great video and well explained ! Take care

[@daviddevaney2157]

Well executed video gives a novice a great understanding of what's involved to play with the bigger boys.. Please continue on and look forward to seeing you this spring

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Right on man. That’s exactly what I was going for. Thanks for watching.

[@Anthony-nw5zv]

Great information, always wanted know more about moving the leaf springs inward. Thanks 😊

[@xxxxrock32xxxx]

Excellent video Joey. Only thing I don't see is the Diff brace. Your car is gorgeous and done right.

[@elmandalorian6671]

Great suspension tips, excellent tubbing job, like the T/A style exhaust system to solve the clearance issues.

[@mikekosar6135]

You always make everything seem so Easy and matter of fact..👍

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Thanks again for watching bud.

[@blackman8795]

Great video I'm extremely happy there's actually a Mopar guy out here you are a rare breed lol

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Hell ya brother. Thanks for watching

[@vcastag]

My first Car was a 1968 Dart. Miss that thing!

[@BigfootsnMopars]

Your Dart is Wicked! Fast and Gorgeous! Love it. I Run the Coker N50s on my 68 Satellite. We Mini tubbed and relocated the springs on my Coronet drag car.. Narrowed the Dana 60 with 4.10s.

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Hell ya brother sounds great! Right on. Thanks for watching the vids

[@thef71]

I love this car

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Thanks for watching

[@27rally]

Hi from Quebec! You got a nice SB dart. Also my 72 dart is mini tub. With oem tub 3 " wide. My front springs hanger is flush with the exterior. frame rail. Got 48" 8.75 an 34" 7/8 spring perch. I got myself a Wheelrite by percy before buying wheel I run 15 by 10 with 5.5 back space on 325 and 295 15 x 8 4" bc with 275 street And 15 x 8" 4.5 bc with 255 for drag use. Also got rear stock tailpipes reworked ! Keep doing video!!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Right on my man. Sounds like a sweet ride! Thanks for checking out the channel.

[@krisjato]

Great informative video, Joe! And definitely a very nice setup! Absolutely beautiful car!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Right on bro thanks for watching

[@krisjato]

@@SimpsonsSpeedShop No problem! Did you see my 68 Dart GTS I used to have? It's just a tiny thumbnail picture but I didn't know how else to show it to you. LOL! I sure miss building, tuning and racing it!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Nice! I just zoomed in to take a look! Looks great! Tunnel ram? I had one on my dart a few years back.

[@krisjato]

@@SimpsonsSpeedShop Thanks, man! The tunnel ram was kind of my trademark, I had the same engine in my first car, the 74 Dodge Challenger. I tried several different combinations of intake manifolds and single 4 barrels but it was much faster with the tunnel ram! Plus I love the look of it!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Hell ya brother.

[@bigbear5510]

👍👍Great video! A lot of informative information there and you did a great job explaining it too. Nice lookin' shinny paint on the read end. Is that metallic? I look forward to seeing your future videos.😎

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Thanks bro! It’s powder coated metallic silver!

[@tmackinator]

What a well constructed car!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

It’s doing ok. Still things I would change if I was starting over. It’s an ongoing project. Thanks for watching

[@moppefi2445]

Great vid again 👍 Dusters, Demons and Valiants have a larger wheel opening so no problems swapping slicks at the track with them 😁

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Ya they get a bit more room. Us dart guys have the struggle. Thanks for watching

[@keithrbrown8179]

Always the nice thing about those rods.

[@randyschneider6086]

Greetings from frigid Manitoba,enjoy your posts

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

👍🏻 frickin eh brother 🇨🇦 thanks for watching

[@donreno5324]

Had my Cal tracks on for 10 years set spacing with a nickel locked it down and knocked it out with hammer and screwdriver. 60 ft is consistent 1.51 very Happy,next is a higher stall Hughes. I can send them it back after dyno time .

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

👍🏻

[@guidosarducci3047]

Thanks man, I got a "B" body (a little different as u know) and it'll be a while - if l ever do get to a "Chop" and wheel tub - but appreciate the walk through just the same. I'm a subscriber and enjoy your channel. Thanks for taking the time to share this.

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Right on bro! Thanks for checking out the channel. Glad you like the vid!

[@keithrbrown8179]

Look for the kit for a b body that replaces the big bulge in the wheel well that limits tire size. I forget who makes it. Maybe US Car Tool.

[@robertclymer6948]

Just discovered your channel Joe. Watched a few videos, love the car, love your content and knowledge you share. New subscriber!! Cheers from Motown.

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Right on bro! Thanks for watching

[@luftwaffe6521]

I needed this vid. Thanks. Got a 67 GTS with SS shocks, springs, 8.75 narrowed 4” 4.10, not mini tubbed but the spot weld flange is rolled. Custom spring relocation inboard 4”. Gonna set up my exhaust like yours. Also was thinking of going caltracs. Now I am after watching this vid. I was almost going to drop the coin on new ss leaf springs very soon but now im gonna go with caltracs. You should do the brace on your diff. I got it and I think its worth the $ and trouble. Beautiful car my friend.

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Hey thanks for watching. You should do the cal tracks. Really nice and great at the track. I would brace the 8 3/4 but I’m eyeing up a Dana now. Hahah never endssss thanks for watching

[@luftwaffe6521]

@@SimpsonsSpeedShop Dana is the way to go. I have thought about it also. Yes it never ends. Be well.

[@aaronkathyberry2099]

Good day. Found you only a week ago. SO pls excuse the late question.All hail to mother Mopar! I’m a B body guy though, ‘65 Bely II. How much street time does she really see? Is it a choppy ride? Or kinda without anyone in the back seat. As I’m thinking of going with the split mono leaf set up like yours. Cheers fellow Canuck! Great vids . Keep it up

[@ordinaryguygarage3667]

Another great video! I like how you explain what and why.... Beautiful car!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

👍🏻 right on! Thanks for watching

[@k5wxp22]

Great info and explanation of things. Yeah, I wish you were my neighbor. 😆👍

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

👍🏻 thanks for watching

[@keithrbrown8179]

The Mopar spring re kit, unless they updated it is just a sheet metal box. The best relocation kit it the US Car Tool Kit for spring mounts. A section to split the wheel well and well in a prefabbed spacer is available. Torque boxes are available as used by hemi cars. Contoured frame connectors that fit flush to floorboard are available. A driveshaft loop that bolts to the trans cross member is available. Super sorted out package. The best kit available without exception. US Car Tool is the ONLY way to go.

[@craigcontofalsky4387]

Nice video as usual and who says you can't teach a old dog (me) new tricks!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Hahah right on thanks for watching.

[@cyrilthomas9036]

Love your video ! everthing well explained

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

👍🏻

[@lawrenceyardprojects4922]

Love the video and can't wait to start work on my 68, it looks like a bit of a basket but it's solid at least

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Right on! Thanks for watching lots more on the channel!

[@elabben]

Love your video! Do you have older videos when you did the tub cutting and welding? Also, I had removed my whole rear end at one point during putting the super stock springs. I had a set of Centerline Prostars and 295 with 4.5" BS rubber so i placed them in the wheelwells and took ample measurements for future reference. Do you think going with a 3.5" BS would complicate things, for example, get wheels on and off or any other clearence issues on with the springs/rear end/brakes? I also like the look of the super deep dished wheels! Thanks again!!

[@sherylsimpson2118]

Thanks for the ride!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Mom! You embarrassing me in front of my car friends! Just kidding. Love you.

[@sherylsimpson2118]

@@SimpsonsSpeedShop Love you too!

[@lourdescaballero320]

great video,as always, thank you for taking your time and posting great videos, im currently working on my 71 dusters rear end, , i have been running green axle bearings, and one went bad, felt like parking brake was on when i tryed to drive it, my question is, what bearings are in your axles,, thanks

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Same as your the new “green” style. Not that brand but the same style. Thanks for watching

[@jonspringer4939]

That's some really nice tub fabrication work. Can you tell us who did it, and a ballpark of the costs involved?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Hey thanks for watching. I’m in 🇨🇦 so will be diffenrt for you I’m sure. Video is just a bit of a guide

[@motorheadmaddness1643]

Sweet Mopar!!!

[@flexmarchetti]

Good info can I ask around what it cost for the spring relocation and mini tub job?

[@fourfortydemon]

Not sure on how much hp you have or if you have a trans brake in your car but you should consider boxing and gusseting your spring perches . I’ve destroyed 8-3/4 housings in my duster . The perches saddle and eventually will squash the the axle tube . I run a dana 60 now but I still boxed in the perches so they wouldn’t saddle .

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

530hp no trans brake yet. The rear is already due for some upgrades and that’s a good call on boxing them in. Will do when I address the rear. Thanks for watching.

[@masterwrench4252]

Definitely a trip down memory lane. Enjoying watching the progress. Cool solution for the exhaust. And yes...I had a dang pinion snubber. Hadn't gotten to the rear suspention. Hey, is there a weight saving going to rear disks?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Thanks for watching. I believe there is a decent weight saving going to disc. Lots more on the channel

[@ryanmccormick9905]

Great Video! Looking to do same type of setup on my 1969 Dart GTS only thing what is ball park on the cost of the rear end setup? I will tackle redoing front end this year but most of this in the rear I will have to pay to have done.

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Depends on what Shop I suppose. You will require some custom length axels so shop around for those

[@glengabruch4664]

Sweet!!!!👍

[@joerozzano6491]

Great quality vid bro!!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Thanks bro! 🍺

[@wearegame777]

How much space do you lose from the leaf spring stick out toward the brake drum after moving the springs under the frame?

[@blueduster74]

Great video, thank you!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Thanks for watching!

[@68dart]

Awesome info , Thanks

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

👍🏻 thanks for watching

[@ninjapumkin]

Nice clean setup. When moving the front CalTrac pivot point 3/4” back did you move the rear hanger the same distance?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Yes just moved the entire set up. Thanks for watching

[@emilyscandycakes4530]

very good...but before this set up ever came out....and if your on a budget....2 aluminum angle shims..for the leafs... a air shock for passenger side..a pinion snubber cut to a 1/2 clearance to interior floor...remove all claps on rear half of the leaf springs...and she'll hook...lows 11s all day in my 69 swinger...MH street slicks...and wasnt so bad of a ride on the street

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Wow interesting set up! Thanks for watching

[@emilyscandycakes4530]

@@SimpsonsSpeedShop yes np....it works very well...

[@4ondflor]

Great video, I was curious about the mini tub. Sounds like you had a shop do it, I thought you might have welded it yourself. Did you avoid it because of alignment issues with welding in the cal trac? I would think you want that squared up real good

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Dosnt have caltracks at the time. My little garage is just way to small to try to pull that off and have it done properly.

[@FreakOlds]

Another great video! Out of curiosity what was the total width of your narrowed 8-3/4 from drum to drum (wheel mounting surface)? And when you mentioned the gap between the wheel lip and drum surface and how it affects your wheel swap at the track you suggested narrowing the rear a little bit more. How much more space between the backing plate and the springs is available? Keep the great videos coming! I enjoy them very much. Lastly - gorgeous car!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

I don’t recall the exact length drum to drum. But like I said it was about 3” we cut off each side. I have about 1- 1 1/2 “ left before I hit the backing plate now. Because I use wheel with different t backspacing I would go 1” of both ends again then use a 15x10 with a 3 1/2 back space for the track and use my cragars with a 3/4 wheel spacer for the street. If that makes sense. Thanks for watching

[@FreakOlds]

@@SimpsonsSpeedShop Awesome! Thanks for the great info. It’s going to be very helpful for my build. I appreciate hearing back from you and I’m looking forward to future videos too Thanks again 😃👍

[@225supersix1977]

the N50 tires... how it behaves in the curves... I have a race in the tail of the dragon, it is a well-known mountain road

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

I don’t put the car into curves it’s a drag car. Not good for comers.

[@smilsmff]

Thanks for the video, My question would be .Does this CalTracs Leafspring mono leaf raise the car up? and how much? Also does it make a difference when you used the relocated inboard set up?.also you are using stock factory Tank yet? what electric pump do you use? and do you use a factory style pickup with 3/8 lines and a 3/8 line all the way forward? although i may have missed you pointing that out before

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

You can order the springs at different heights. Stock, +2 -2 kinda thing. Stock tank. Mechanical pump. 3/8 aluminum line to -6 in and out the pump. Thanks for watching g.

[@smilsmff]

@@SimpsonsSpeedShop I think i will go with 28x9 . (they sell 5.5 BS on Jegs stars wheels )Either Cal Track or Mopar SS +2 " , to this date i am waiting on my roller cam yet. i never would guess this long of waiting on parts

[@keithrbrown8179]

Moving the front and rear hanger back is an incredibly bad idea. First it moves the rear hanger back to an interference point with the frame. The next piece of bad news is that you just moved your axle backwards and changed your weight distribution reward as well which negatively affect traction. The mopar SS springs for an A body moves the spring center pin forward one inch. This does two things. It moves weight distribution FORWARD increasing traction. Second it stiffens the front portion of the spring reducing spring wrap. Cal tracs are expensive and only pick up a tenth or two. Mopar Super stock springs with long shocks and an adj pinion snubber is still the best setup short of a four link, etc.

[@BADDUDE_CORNPOP]

My tires are really wide I'm not tubbed so they stick out about 3 in on each side the guy I bought the car off of says they are Centerline 10 inch rims but they look bigger than that I think they might be 12 inch rims but I can't find any stamping or anyting so I do not know if I need to order Mickey Thompson Sportsman Pros 28x10.5x15 or 28x12.5x15 n and the worn-out Mickey Thompson's that are on there now only stamp I can find is N50-15.. but I got to order the right ones I can't spend $600 just to have the wrong tires ship to me that have to pay to send them back and wait for new ones to come how do I figure this out thank you.. or maybe it is the 10 inch rim and it just has the 12.5 Tire on it I'm confused

[@PSTIGS]

Well executed!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Thanks bro!

[@chuckschoolcraft4104]

Did you have to lengthen the driveshaft?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

I didn’t. Has been fine for like 4-5 years now. I Plan on getting a new one.

[@MikeS-ci5qw]

Getting ready to mini tub and inboard springs on my 68 dart. Love the idea of moving back diff 3/4. Was thinking about going with an 11 or 12 inch rim. Any thoughts?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Ya I run 10” wides on mine like I show in vid some guys run 12” really up to you I supposed. Really depends on tires you want to go with.

[@andrewcinque6239]

I have a 68 GTS, I want the deep dish Cragars and larger tires in back but I don’t want to get into shortening the dif, so unless I’m nuts I simply have to raise the back enough to clear the wheel well, correct ? I’m figuring to go with heavier duty springs since these have to come out anyway to change the bushings and lastly how do I know what shocks to go with ?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

So your gunna jack the back end way up and have the tires stick out passed the wheel well? I dunno man your doing some differnt shit at that point. I guess pull the shocks and jack the car up put the tires on and measure what size shocks you need.

[@haydenspence6952]

Good job buddy.

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Thanks bro!

[@keithrbrown8179]

If you want more room for a taller tire DO NOT move the axle back. Move the front quarter lip forward. Or run a shorter tire and gear accordingly. The same mod can be used on the front fender. Move fender lip forward to run a taller front tire. If you are running hooker fender well headers it don't stinking matter. You are limited in tire diameter by the header tubes in the fender well anyway.

[@chrismoppert9360]

How long are your shackles? I have the same set up with 325/50r15 tires... Your rear looks higher then mine...I want mine up a little.

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

They are caltrack shackles. Hight may have been adjusted in the mini tub process on ether of our ends

[@logansubaru]

Great info! Gonna put a caltrac system on my 72 duster and needed more info on it

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Glad it was what you were looking for! They are great!

[@lyleschadee2412]

Is that a stock shifter or did you adapt something to work? I've been looking at adapting a factory slap stick into my stock shifter.

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

It is stock. Not a slap stock. I will be doing a mod to it in the future to lock it from going to neutral without depressing button. Thanks for watching

[@terryl100]

How are those Calvert rear shocks on street? I was thinking of using bilstein shocks and changing out the original springs to Calvert mono leaf later. It’ll be a street driven car. Adding 17 inch wheels. What shock do you use on the front ?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Yep Calvert rears 9 way adjust and 90/10 fronts. I think they are fine on the street, but I also have a 4500 and no sway bars soooo my idea of fine on street may be different t than yours. Thanks for watching

[@krisberkowski5973]

Go with Viking shocks double adjustable

[@darrenbrisson4336]

How much and does it come with everything? Springs shocks ladder bars?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Hop on their website for pricing for you application. Thanks for watching

[@garygregory6142]

What is the measurement center pin to center pin

[@benjaminrodriguez9968]

What size tires run for the street?

[@russellfoote2470]

nice!

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

👍🏻

[@robertharsh8326]

Do you think it is possible to fit a 26” tire on a 65 barracuda with a ladder bar coil over situation without having to cut the rear frame out?

[@robertharsh8326]

Planed tire is a 335/ 30zr18 on a 12” wide rim with 8.5 rear spacing

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Don’t know. Different everything. Start measuring and find out!

[@dennisazzopardi2089]

Where in Canada do you live?.............Great show. I Got a 69 Barracuda.

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Victoria bc! Thanks for watching

[@tupholme69]

Which size of the mono split leafs did you use? 20”?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

@@tupholme69 stock spec for a mini tub dart.

[@jbmopar1971]

Ooooo 8 3/4 a body rears are getting harder to find. You can always cut down a b body 8 3/4 as well. Lol then you have something else to store.. And then since you have an extra rear end now, you might as well find another car to put it under.. 🤔 Excellent

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Ya dude. Pretty soon I’ll have enough stuff to build a whole other car! Stay tuned?!? Haha thanks for watching

[@firebird70]

how streetable do you find the caltracs mono split leafs n caltracs shocks ?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

I have no problem on the street with them. But I also have a 4500 stall and no front sway bar so my idea of no problem on the street may be different than others.

[@mikeoswald15]

I assume you went with "green" axle bearings?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Yes sir. Thanks for watching

[@dougthacker3459]

How wide is your rear-end? Backplate to plate?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Info in vid. I may not say back plate to back plate because I have the small a body’s drums. Watch my Dana vids for more info

[@Doosterify]

Tooth Jerker runs Assasin bars, not Cal tracs. They are the same design but the Assasin bars and hardware and heavier gauge for cars with extreme power levels.

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Ah interesting. Thanks for info! Would make sense that they have a heavier duty unit. That’s thing is crazy. Thanks for watching

[@Alexander-nb1rz]

Can you still go back 3/4 " with a Dana 60?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

I have a Dana now! Check out those vids. I did have to massage my fuel tank and get a lower profile cover but it was no problem!

[@dashriprok5852]

Mopar

[@grizzly766]

Who's U Bolts did you use?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

I don’t recall. I think I got them from cal tracks but can’t recall.

[@sickofyou1091]

How are those tires?

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Great! Wish they came in more sizes! But these a N50s. Get lots of compliments on them

[@mlevi512]

Taps the tire and the car shifts....😬

[@tomdamon7208]

What is your reason for tubbing , recolating springs and Cal-Traks ? Are you running 9's ? How ex[pensive is this modification ? why are the ABCD stock racers running in the 9-10 sec times with 9" tires without moving springs or mini-tubs . Waste of time and money , IMO

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Big tires are cool.

[@leehouston5436]

Wow bro, bigger area of traction equals more traction. Yes , there’s guys running fast on small tire, but there’s more running faster with bigger tires

[@snoopyboobs]

How does the car handle around corners? I've been warned that narrowing the rear-end can really negatively impact handling.

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

I don’t take high speed corners anyway, so never been an issiue.