Tubing 1.500 x.120 Round ALL22137-4

OVERVIEW

When it comes to building a rugged off-road machine, the foundation of your safety and structural integrity rests on the quality of the steel you choose. This ALLSTAR PERFORMANCE 1.500-inch x .120-inch round tubing is the professional fabricator''s choice for high-stress applications in the air-cooled VW world. Whether you are reinforcing a classic Baja Bug chassis to handle the punishing whoops of the Mojave or constructing a custom roll cage for a weekend sand rail, this tubing provides the ideal balance of weight and incredible wall strength. The .120-wall thickness is widely recognized as the industry standard for structural safety, offering superior resistance to crushing or kinking under extreme loads compared to thinner alternatives. At Appletree Automotive, we understand that your project isn''t just a car; it''s a labor of love and a vessel for your safety, which is why we provide materials that meet the rigorous demands of off-road racing and custom fabrication.

This 4-foot section of high-quality mild steel tubing is engineered for versatility and ease of use in the shop. It serves as the perfect raw material for crafting custom bumpers, rock sliders, engine cages, and internal bracing. The 1.5-inch outside diameter is the "sweet spot" for many VW-based projects, fitting perfectly with standard tube notches and bending dies used in most home and professional garages. Because this is high-grade mild steel, it offers excellent weldability with MIG or TIG processes, ensuring that your joints are as strong as the tubing itself. Don''t settle for inferior structural materials when you are building something designed to fly over dunes or crawl over rocks; choose the tubing that veteran fabricators trust to keep their Volkswagens together when the terrain gets tough.

FITMENT

While this is a fabrication component and not a "bolt-on" part, it is the primary material used for custom work on the following air-cooled models and chassis types:

• Volkswagen Beetle: Ideal for Baja Bug roll cages, front and rear tube bumpers, and fender bracing.
• Volkswagen Type 2 (Bus/Transporter): Used for custom roof racks, ladder assemblies, and heavy-duty front bull bars.
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: Perfect for hidden chassis stiffening and custom subframe reinforcement.
• Volkswagen Thing (Type 181): Excellent for external roll cages and brush guards.
• Sand Rails & Dune Buggies: The standard material for main hoop repairs, side bars, and suspension pickup points on Berrien, Chenowth, and custom frames.
• Meyers Manx & Clones: Used for custom dash bars and rear engine protection cages.

SPECS

• Manufacturer: Allstar Performance
• Part Number: ALL22137-4
• Outside Diameter: 1.500 Inches
• Wall Thickness: .120 Inches (Heavy Duty)
• Length: 4 Feet (48 Inches)
• Material: High-Quality Mild Steel
• Shape: Round Tubing
• Weight: Approximately 6.85 lbs per section
• Finish: Raw Steel (Requires coating or paint after fabrication)

PRO TIPS

1. Prep the Surface for Superior Welds

Since this tubing comes in a raw steel finish, it may have a light coating of oil or mill scale from the manufacturing process to prevent immediate rusting. Before you fire up your welder, it is absolutely critical to clean the weld zone down to shiny, bare metal using a flap disc or wire wheel. Removing these impurities ensures deep penetration and prevents porosity in your welds. If you are building a safety-critical component like a roll cage for your Baja, clean joints aren''t just about aesthetics; they are about ensuring the structural integrity of the entire vehicle.

2. Use the Right Bending Equipment

When working with .120-wall tubing, you want to avoid using "pipe benders" found at generic hardware stores, as they often kink the material rather than drawing it smoothly. For a professional look on your VW engine cage or bumper, use a high-quality mandrel or draw-style tube bender with a 1.5-inch die. Because this material is .120 thick, it resists kinking better than thinner tubing, but it also requires more force to bend. Always measure twice and account for the "spring-back" of the steel to ensure your bends line up perfectly with your chassis mounting points.

3. Account for Weight and Balance

While .120-wall tubing is incredibly strong, it is heavier than .095 or .065-wall options. When fabricating parts for a rear-engine Volkswagen, keep an eye on your weight distribution. Using this heavy-duty tubing is perfect for the main roll hoop and front bumpers, but for non-structural items like light bars or interior grab handles, you might consider lighter materials. However, if your VW is intended for sanctioned racing or heavy rock crawling, always check your specific rulebook, as many organizations require a minimum of .120-wall thickness for the main cage structure to pass technical inspection.