Minitubs and Axle Narrowing???

[novajess1972]

This kind of covers a couple different areas (drivetrain, bodywork, wheels & tires) so I'm posting here.

I'm considering fitting 12 inches (12 inch wide wheels, perverts ) out back and was wondering what the general cost to fit minitubs and to narrow my axle to make this happen?

There is a shop near my home that just quoted me $5500!!!!!

WTF

I somehow feel that is WAY off base.

1972 Chevelle

[fesler]

If this is a done car that is not that far out, if you have a car that is in the works it should be less. It is a lot of work to do tubs in a car that is finished as you have to be careful with everything. Not having all the details makes it hard to quote up but stuff adds up quick

Remember in most cases you get what you pay for if you are at a good shop so pay a little extra so its perfect dont try and cut corners it will cost you more in the long run trust us here we have been doing this for years.

[MaxHarvard]

I did the mini tubs on my car that was already painted and it wasn't too bad honestly. It was just a matter of time.

But once you factor in the labor involved (40-60 hours) for a mini tub job plus the cost of a narrowed rear end ($2-4k) your price of $5,500 isn't that far off.

[Che70velle]

If your trying to fit a 12" wheel in the Chevelle listed on the bottom of your post, then it's gonna require narrowing the frame rails, plus doing the mini tubs, and axle narrowing. You might squeeze an 11" in there, but not a 12" without moving the rail inward. I've seen guys pull the quarter outward to achieve a wider wheel, but that's got to be expensive also.
$5500 is not bad for all that work.

[frankenstang]

$5500? Damn, I am TOO cheap. Just did a set of tubs (DSE) on a 74 nova. Leaf re-location kit and 4 inches per side off of the axle. Cust is done for less than 2 grand total. I'm only getting $600 for labor.

Need to re-think my labor rates? :headscratch: :rules:

[Todd in vancouver]

I'm in the same boat here and the costs do add up quick. I just ordered rear TCI suspension set up, mini-tub kit and I'm in for almost $3K so far. I still need to narrow my diff a few inches, replace axles, disc brakes and then buy wheels and tires. 18X12 rear rims are going to run damn near $3K for two rims so I'm going to be into my rear suspension and big tires for close to $10K.

PT cars ain't cheap. :G-Dub:

[214Chevy]

I know stuff adds up guys, but I beg to differ. I think $5500 is a bit too much. I agree, you get what you pay for, but at the same time just because a shop charges you $5500 doesn't mean "you are getting what you pay for" if you get my drift in the same retrospect. This is what's wrong with the industry now. There are too many shops out there charging way too much money and don't know what they are doing. I'm sure many of us have experienced this and had to get work done over because it wasn't done right, but we were charged top notch money. Not saying that your chosen shop is not reputable and isn't going to do the work correctly. I would think a job of this caliber would be about $3500. Before I decided to get my custom frame, I was gonna do this same job, mini-tubs and shorten my axles...I was quoted an average of $2500 from two trust worthy and reputable shops in my area that I know beyond a reasonable doubt I can trust and does this type of work all the time.


Allow me to explain my rationale way of thinking...

**50 hours x presumed $65/hour=$3250; subtracted from $5500=$2250
**$2250 left over...a few other charges may be needed, but the whole $2250 worth? I don't think so!!
**I presumed 50 hours from 25 hours per week x 2 weeks. There's only 50 hrs in a work week (10 hr days, Monday-Friday)
**At a presumed $65/hour your shop is assuming it will take almost 85 hours to do that job....Nope in my opinion.
**Assuming a car is not rotted to hell, you can get a decent driver paint job for $6000. I know this job isn't as involved as a paint job, c'mon guys.

Lastly, keep in mind I only based this thinking off of tubbing and cutting/shortening the axles only. Che70velle is correct, a 12" wide wheel will include notching the frame. Now, factor that in the equation and you may be nearing the $5500 or more. Frankenstang, you just gave the customer an honest price. I would consider a $600 labor profit a nice profit. Even if you charged a little bit more, your price wasn't still close to $5500. Many shops that charge way more than $65/hour is because they have a 12,000 sq ft shop and lots of employees to pay. They may charge $80-$100/hour so I've been told. Those are also the top builders who build $300k builds as well. But most small shops, which most of us average working people can afford, charge about $65/hour on an average

[Vince@Meanstreets]

$5500? Damn, I am TOO cheap. Just did a set of tubs (DSE) on a 74 nova. Leaf re-location kit and 4 inches per side off of the axle. Cust is done for less than 2 grand total. I'm only getting $600 for labor.

Need to re-think my labor rates? :headscratch: :rules:

at least you'll be busy with work, but yes $600 for 35-40 honest hours worth of work is not gonna put food on the table much less keep the lights on for you. I can't remember when I worked for $17 an hour.

OP.... $5500 is a good price. A-body's are a bit easier than say a 70 and Camaros. We charge $2700 plus parts. We use your old tubs (add a strip), narrow the frame and axle housings in house. It pays to shop around but be sure you inspect past work too.

[MarkM66]

at least you'll be busy with work, but yes $600 for 35-40 honest hours worth of work is not gonna put food on the table much less keep the lights on for you. I can't remember when I worked for $17 an hour.

OP.... $5500 is a good price. A-body's are a bit easier than say a 70 and Camaros. We charge $2700 plus parts. We use your old tubs (add a strip), narrow the frame and axle housings in house. It pays to shop around but be sure you inspect past work too.

A-bodies are easier then a Camaro?

I've done both, and the Camaro seemed easier to me, especially using DSE tubes... :D

[barrrf]

Can the experts please clarify something for me?

How wide are x12s? Are indeed 12 inches wide?

The tires that are currently on my car are 285s which are a little over 11 inches wide. And theres lots of clearance. It doesnt seem like running x12s would be a big deal if theyre 12inches wide. Im under the impression there is no difference in tub space from '68 - '72. Is that right?

[MarkM66]

Can the experts please clarify something for me?

How wide are x12s? Are indeed 12 inches wide?

The tires that are currently on my car are 285s which are a little over 11 inches wide. And theres lots of clearance. It doesnt seem like running x12s would be a big deal if theyre 12inches wide. Im under the impression there is no difference in tub space from '68 - '72. Is that right?

12's are 13" bead to bead.

[MarkM66]

12's are 13" bead to bead.

Sorry, I worded that wrong. 12" inside bead to inside bead. So 13" outer edge of the wheel to other edge of the wheel.

[frankenstang]

I'm just grateful this is not a full time gig for me. It's nice to be able to choose NOT to do a job. The money I make from this kind of work just pays for toys and parts for my car. I just ordered up some gas lens parts for my Tig welder setup to finish the rest of the work on the car. It's getting a 'chute mount that can double as a 1.25" trailer hitch for drag week. I'm hoping a gas lens will improve the quality of my welds enough to feel confident enough to take on more work later.

We have guys in this area that build complete cars for $5500. LOL. They ain't pretty, that's for sure!!