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StreetBeast rod kit's

405K views 1K replies 141 participants last post by  Gwinnetts 
#1 ·
I am planning on building my 1st street rod. The StreetBeast kit's look interesting. Anyone have any experience/references with these? Thanks. Don
 
#1,178 ·
Sure connect sealed butt splices
http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/115/747/=223t45

Same thing in quick connect connectors
http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/115/745/=223u5i

spade connects
http://www.mcmaster.com/#spade-connectors/=223w3u

Ring terminals
http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/115/740/=223wsx

Scroll around on the linked pages and look for the sure connect sealed connectors. Those are the ones that solder and shrink in one step. A heat gun will do the job too, they have a 275 F melting point.

Click on the arrows beside the page number (it's in the bar at the top of the page), on the mcmaster carr site and you can browse through the catalog...it's about 3600 pages of cool stuff you probably never knew even existed.

I'm sure there are other , better suppliers, cheaper too, I like Mc Master Carr because they are quick to ship, and the quality is always top notch.

Later, mikey
 
#1,179 ·
JGK95 said:
I took that into consideration when I thought about his target audience. However, Jim then lobs in the line (or something to the equivalent)

"If its good enough for the Big 3, it's good enough for me."

So which way to go? I think soldiering is the way to go and the above posts convinced me to learn.
There are lots of good crimp connectors available - but many are the very well discussed Chinese junk that is not suited for major wiring. I've tried to use only quality USA made wiring components for my car. Many have been Home Depot Gardner Bender US made, but the most are NAPA's Balkamp (Federal Mogul) along with their wire where I've had to add circuits to my American Autowire panel and hookup wire.

Using a crimper, be aware that there are two basic types - one for insulated lugs and one for the uninsulated. There are also some premium crimpers that will put OEM kind of crimp on your connector, but very expensive.

If I have a long run, it's solder with marine grade shrink tubing which is much better then the regular stuff in that it totally seals the joint and is water resistant. This marine grade shrink tubing is (usually) the flat black rather then the glossy version - and, of course more expensive :( .

What Jim Rizzo said, and I did read that (as well as what Louie Mayall said in Street Scene) about crimped connections and he is wrong!! OEMs do not use a manual crimp, but a mechanical one that is repeatable over millions of connections per year and is checked regularly for quality of crimp. They crimp to the insulation then to the actual conductor - you can't do this easily with your $15 tool. You can make some crimps on #16 then go to #12 you will find that the crimp failure rate escalates with the heavier wire as your ability to compress the connector barrel is not the same - the crimping tool is only 7-8 inches long and you can only squeeze just so much.

I have used a very few butt connectors, but that's usually to fix a screw up and some place where I couldn't solder the joint. It too is inside of shrink tubing if at all possible.

First of all, get a good brand wiring kit, then follow their method. Most will supply a few connectors, but never enough. I like the American Autowire system - they gave me great directions and schematics, lots of wire, but not enough connectors though they did a great job with my VDO gauge connections. There are other 'kits/modules' that other folks prefer, and most are very good as well.

'Nuff said for now

Dave W
 
#1,180 ·
JGK95 said:
I took that into consideration when I thought about his target audience. However, Jim then lobs in the line (or something to the equivalent)

"If its good enough for the Big 3, it's good enough for me."

So which way to go? I think soldiering is the way to go and the above posts convinced me to learn.
solder and shrink tubing.... use rosin core solder. twist wires togther. touch iron to the back side of exposed wires, and touch solder to the top.. allow it to flow thru, and make sure it's fully covered
 
#1,182 · (Edited)
JGK95 said:
I took that into consideration when I thought about his target audience. However, Jim then lobs in the line (or something to the equivalent)

"If its good enough for the Big 3, it's good enough for me."

So which way to go? I think soldiering is the way to go and the above posts convinced me to learn.
The big three have expensive machine driven crimpers that do a much better job than a pair of hand crimpers ever could.

FWIW, I have never seen a twisted, soldered shrink wrap connection fail in over 40 years of working on cars both for a living and a hobby.

A solder joint that is brittle is a cold solder joint from the get go. If the solder flows right it is not going to go brittle.

Vince
 
#1,183 ·
JGK95 said:
I'm sorry Mike.

I too had the problems with getting the journal configured and after several pm's to get this resolved it never was. I thought it was due to the bias against StreetBeast cars.

Jay K.

ps. I can Man up when I'm wrong, and Stand up when I'm right.
Grow up "boys", if you don't like something then don't buy it! Pretty simple, eh? I have a Streetbeast and love it (don't give a sh!77 if you like it or not)! Try to direct your frustration toward something that you can impact! I have NO connection to SB! TJN :spank: :spank: :spank:
 
#1,184 ·
tjn said:
Grow up "boys", if you don't like something then don't buy it! Pretty simple, eh? I have a Streetbeast and love it (don't give a sh!77 if you like it or not)! Try to direct your frustration toward something that you can impact! I have NO connection to SB! TJN :spank: :spank: :spank:
We have no frustration, "Gramps", it's all about sharing information.
Guys who have not bought one, should be warned that they are not the best deal going, and if they already bought one, we are here to help.

As you bought your car either already built, or paid someone to build it, your opinion has little validity.

The quote you brought up was from a guy who felt that our board was doing an unethical thing by ignoring his request to start a journal because he bought a streetbeast kit, which is not the case here.

But as you don't really demonstrate that you comprehend what this thread is about, make angry frustrated statements, want to tell everone who disagrees with you off, (love emails?), and use quotes out of context, it's ok, we just consider the source.... :)


Later, mikey
 
#1,185 ·
tjn said:
Grow up "boys", if you don't like something then don't buy it! Pretty simple, eh? I have a Streetbeast and love it (don't give a sh!77 if you like it or not)! Try to direct your frustration toward something that you can impact! I have NO connection to SB! TJN :spank: :spank: :spank:

why are you even here ? since you don't care what we think why bother . your childish post serve no purpose other than to stir up **** .
 
#1,186 ·
tjn,
I have to echo Shine and Mikey - if you don't like what we say here, then why are you staying? We have had very long discussions about Street Beasts, much of it reasonably and responsibly valid, some heated and some pure BS. If you are enthralled with what you have, regardless of who built it please show us - and in photographic form with a discussion of what was done to make it 'so nice' but until then, quite frankly, I suggest that you be very careful of what and how you respond to the folks on this board as many have a long tenure here and are much respected for their discussions and information.

Oh and I really don't like being called "boy". It indicates a negative connotation as I am, first of all, not a "boy" as I am an adult, over 65 and a professional manager.

Dave W
 
#1,187 · (Edited)
Irelands child said:
..........Oh and I really don't like being called "boy". It indicates a negative connotation as I am, first of all, not a "boy" as I am an adult, over 65 and a professional manager.

Dave W
The only one around here that deserves that connotation tjn. Forest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does", and I think that statement pretty much describes tjn in a nut shell. So far he's been all talk and no action. If he has these high dollar high horsepower vehicles he claims to have then let him post some pictures of these "imaginary" cars. The sad thing is that even if he does have them, all that will prove is he has enough money to pay someone else to do something he doesn't' have the talent or intelligence to build himself.

.....and I don't like the term boy either. I'm an adult as well and retired from the Department of Defense, with 29 years service in the armed forces.... half flying fighters and half as an acquisition development manager for top secret stealth aircraft.
 
#1,188 ·
Centerline said:
The only one around here that deserves that connotation tjn. Forest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does", and I think that statement pretty much describes tjn in a nut shell. So far he's been all talk and no action. If he has these high dollar high horsepower vehicles he claims to have then let him post some pictures of these "imaginary" cars. The sad thing is that even if he does have them, all that will prove is he has enough money to pay someone else to do something he doesn't' have the talent or intelligence to build himself.

.....and I don't like the term boy either. I'm an adult as well and retired from the Department of Defense, with 29 years service in the armed forces.... half flying fighters and half as an acquisition development manager for top secret stealth aircraft.
Me either, the last time I was called a 'boy' was 25 years ago.
 
#1,189 ·
Streetbeasts

Hey guys, I'm happy to have everyone's attention! If I knew how to post pixs, I'd separate the "talk" from the "BS". I appreciate the responses, I'm really not a bad guy, just resent folks who badmouth certain things, when most are going on hearsay and have not actually built one , or owned one(Streetbeasts). I'm a car guy, have been for years. What if one of you had a '55 NOMAD and I said that was the worst one ever made? Would you be pis51? Would your feelings be hurt? (I have a '56 NOMAD). For you guys to continue badmouthing the Streetbeasts for 80 pages is absolutely unreal!

To change the subject for a minute are any of you going to York this weekend? I'd like you to see that I'm not really a pricX, but very much like you. TJN, '34 Ford 3 window coupe,(Streetbeast), '37 Ford Tudor Sedan,(all steel, for sale) '56 Nomad, '91 Porsche Carrera, converted TT, 742HP, AWD, on the ground, E55 Mercedes, 11.00/ 1/4. God bless, :thumbup: :thumbup: TJN
 
#1,190 ·
just resent folks who badmouth certain things, when most are going on hearsay and have not actually built one , or owned one(Streetbeasts). I'm a car guy, have been for years. What if one of you had a '55 NOMAD and I said that was the worst one ever made? Would you be pis51?


Two points.......First......Having been into and building Street Rods for many years, the point is....There is a certain "Standard" that has evolved thruout the years in the Construction of, and the Mechanical areas of building a Steel or a Glass Car......Now....What we have been saying , Is that Street Beast is "NOT" built or contructed to these "Commercial" standards....This is not to say a Street Beast can't be made into a decent car..........But.........Time and Money would be better "Spent" on a Project using "Normal" readily available components..........instead of a Pile of parts that are "Suspect" right from the start that when completed still will not accepted as the Norm..........The main point is......."New" people getting into the Hobby or someone buying a Shiney "Old" car just don't understand .....
Second point.....Everyone understands that your Nomad was built by GM to certain standards and the playing field is level at that point .....and....as eveyone knows.......the level of maintainace and or customizing the car has received over the years is what people are looking at.....at this point it's personal taste........But........A Nomad is a Nomad.....

Ken :thumbup:
 
#1,191 ·
tjn said:
Hey guys, I'm happy to have everyone's attention! If I knew how to post pixs, I'd separate the "talk" from the "BS". I appreciate the responses, I'm really not a bad guy, just resent folks who badmouth certain things, when most are going on hearsay and have not actually built one , or owned one(Streetbeasts). I'm a car guy, have been for years. What if one of you had a '55 NOMAD and I said that was the worst one ever made? Would you be pis51? Would your feelings be hurt? (I have a '56 NOMAD). For you guys to continue badmouthing the Streetbeasts for 80 pages is absolutely unreal!
TJN
Just a few things wrong with this flawed analogy. The 55 Nomad is a proven classic acknowleged by everyone. The legacy of StreetBeast is well known and can in no way be compared to a 55 Nomad, pick a better comparison.

Vince
 
#1,192 ·
tjn said:
Hey guys, I'm happy to have everyone's attention! If I knew how to post pixs, I'd separate the "talk" from the "BS".
What format are your pics in? Digital? If so let us know and we can "walk" you through the process. If they are "paper" copies, you will have to convert them to a digital format. Any photo store can do them. Most of the photo machines in the local drug store, grocery store, etc. can also convert them to digital. Waiting for your reply.
 
#1,193 ·
Rob Here! :pimp:




Here is a link to HR.com's WIKI, for a article on how to post pictures on the internet. :thumbup:

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/How_to_post_pictures_on_a_forum

2nd of all tjn {& this time I am not being sarcastic} If you would have read all the pages you willl have know that Mikey is a WELL Versed fiberglass man.

It seems lately this thread has gotten a little off topic {happens} but the whole gist of it is to for warn others of the difficulties in these kits.

SB sells them as a kit that anyone can put together ,when in fact it takes a higher level of skills that most well seasoned wrench turners posses , almost to the point of it possibly be better off making all the parts from scratch.

If you want/ need some help posting pictures there are a lot of people including myself that are willing to help.

Also we offer a photo gallery for your stuff.



R :thumbup:
 
#1,196 ·
tjn- You can upload any size picture in your photo album here, then put your picture in your post by linking to the picture with an image code.

It will give you 3 sizes of pics to choose from in your post if you use files that big.

Rob is real good at that stuff, I'm sure he knows where there is a step by step directions that will help you.

Later, mikey
 
#1,197 ·
heyjude076 said:
What format are your pics in? Digital? If so let us know and we can "walk" you through the process. If they are "paper" copies, you will have to convert them to a digital format. Any photo store can do them. Most of the photo machines in the local drug store, grocery store, etc. can also convert them to digital. Waiting for your reply.
They are in digital format but are too large, where can they be resized? Thanks, TJN :confused:
 
#1,198 ·
TJN

If you go yo the 1st sticky on site suggestion & help ,or here is a link http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/image-resizer-109405.html

{that is one way I remember it} is {assuming you are running Windows} is a power toys for picture resizing.

Option #2

You can open a FREE account a www.photobucket.com & there you can do all kinds of neat stuff , some forums can not handle the actual hosting of the pictures & make you use a external hosting site to link to.

Like this,


http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j104/slowride66/Picture1585.jpg

Now this is making some one look @ the pix.

this takes up a lot of space & will hinder people who are on dial up service.



Any way If you like PM me & we will finger out where you are @ & what you need to know.

AFTER you read this.

O TAY?




Rob :thumbup:
 
#1,200 ·
tjn said:
.......... For you guys to continue badmouthing the Streetbeasts for 80 pages is absolutely unreal!...... TJN
It's the company more than the cars. There is no doubt that a Streetbeast kit can be built into a nice car given enough time, talent and hard work. Its the predatory marketing tactics Streetbeast uses to market their so called easy to build product to the novice street rodder. Everyone knows they are far from easy to build. It is also the dismal history of Fiberfab/Classic Motor Carriages/Streetbeast that is at issue as well. Any company that is shut down by the Florida Attorney General for fraud one day and opens up the next day under a new name with the same ownership, management, sales tactics, and product is immediately suspect and they have not done anything to date to eliminate that suspicion.

Just do a search on Streetbeast and check out what the other gearhead sites have to say about them. Its not just us. Its the majority of the automotive community that has a problem with them.
 
#1,201 ·
Centerline said:
Its the majority of the automotive community that has a problem with them.
As a current customer of the car, I've had nothing but positive exchanges with StreetBeasts and learned things via the telephone at no cost. All one can really ask for is support from their vendor and the tech support is excellent!

That's what I'm getting and I'm no different from the next guy who buys one of their cars.
 
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