TheSamba.com :: View topic - Best way to mount a beam for off road. Weld or Clamp???

Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:51 am

Im building a frame for a Manx buggy that will mainly be used off road and see lots of abuse.
What is the best way to mount the front beam. I have seen lots of clamps break on rails. Is there a better way or should I just weld the beam into the frame?
The frame is being built from 1-1/2 tube and the beam is a 6" wider Warrior.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:01 pm

I went with the clamps in case I damaged the beam. Easier to replace a bent beam if it is not welded into the frame. If you are not worried about beam replacement, welding it in is much stronger. Kinda boils down to what you want to do in the future with your car.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 1:10 pm

Mine is clamped and I have no problems. If you have watched my videos it gets used often and hard. Being clamped in it will be easier to remove for straightening if ever needed.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 1:52 pm

I would clamp it and use 6 or 8 sets. Going to be easyier to change when (not if) you bend it.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 2:29 pm

clamped in with 6 clamps should do it. On one set of clamps I would weld some tabs or something to keep the beam from sliding in them on a hard hit.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 2:39 pm

To the people who have broken clamps:

Do the clamps themselves break? if so does the outer one thats bolted on break, or does it break off the frame? or does a tab break off? OR. Do the bolts simply break?

Sun Oct 25, 2009 3:21 pm

I have broken one clamp and some bolts while out on rides. I did not notice any change in handling. The broken clamp (a bolted one one) had been previously straightened. I have had great luck with 3/8" grade eight or 10 mm 10.8 grade bolts. Once I went to longer travel supension and taller tires I have had no problems.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:41 pm

I would use these clamps. They fit better than the ones some of the VW places sell, and I think they are cheaper too

http://www.aa-mfg.com/pdshop/shop/item.aspx?itemid=191

Sun Oct 25, 2009 5:06 pm

The clamps above look alot like the ones my roommate used on his "rail". Last year we were out on a run and hit ONE HELL OF A ROCK! It bent the cromoly beam, the clamps held just fine.... and will now be alot easier to remove to fix/replace.

Sun Oct 25, 2009 5:20 pm

takotruckin wrote: I would use these clamps. They fit better than the ones some of the VW places sell, and I think they are cheaper too

http://www.aa-mfg.com/pdshop/shop/item.aspx?itemid=191

Those are the good ones, avoid the ones that are V shaped. I would think that it makes it harder to fix or work on, if it were welded.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:49 am

Thanks for all the responses, I guess I will go with the clamps that takotruckin recomended.

Why doesnt anyone still make the old Hi Jumper style clamps any more. Thoes seem like the way to go.