daily doubler build

[Bray D]

It'll just be a bumper for now. I ordered material, it'll be ready for pickup on Friday. DOM is expensive. fawk.

The design will be pretty simple. Looking at doing a single horizontal tube. "stubby" stinger for winch protection. Winch between the frame rails, tucked up tight. High clearance. Relatively light weight. We'll see how long I can go before I get pulled over. FTP.

I wouldn't drive that long JUST to go to the Cliffs. If you wanna do cliffs one day, Badlands another or something, then it may be OK. Its only 300 acres, and its ALL slick muddy climbs.

They're pretty strict about the tires I believe. It gets muddy quick, and if you have all the rednecks with their clapped out chevy's on 44's rolling around WOT all day long, you wouldn't be able to go anywhere without 40"+ tires. I was following ~5 jeeps (stock up to 37" tires), and on some trails, by the time I came through (tailgunner) I was dragging diff on 35's. Its definitely a different kind of terrain than most are used to. I'm sure it takes a LOT of maintenance to keep it up.

 

[Explorin94]

I would like to go to the cliffs someday, how hard do they enforce the 40" tire rule?

Thats ridiculous.

thats crazy, i cant see that rule doing much of anything for them.

They don't really enforce alot there. The biggest thing that I have ever seen them get on someone about it wrapping your winch cable back to itself around a tree. No it was not me! I am always under the wheel base limit too. It is a fun park though.

 

[JohnnyU]

I wouldn't drive that long JUST to go to the Cliffs. If you wanna do cliffs one day, Badlands another or something, then it may be OK. Its only 300 acres, and its ALL slick muddy climbs.

They're pretty strict about the tires I believe. It gets muddy quick, and if you have all the rednecks with their clapped out chevy's on 44's rolling around WOT all day long, you wouldn't be able to go anywhere without 40"+ tires. I was following ~5 jeeps (stock up to 37" tires), and on some trails, by the time I came through (tailgunner) I was dragging diff on 35's. Its definitely a different kind of terrain than most are used to. I'm sure it takes a LOT of maintenance to keep it up.

This.

 

[Bray D]

I did the volleyball trick this afternoon. Worked like a champ. Its still nasty from the bodyline up, but it took a LOT of the dent out. I think I can find a tube that will fit the contour of my upper bedside nicely. Cut in in half. Put it up in there and pry against it from the tail light opening. While doing that, pound on the crease from the top to try and work it back flat. It'll never be perfect (obviously) but I think it can be better.

 

[railman]

awwww.....it's just a little reminder of your time with us at Turkey Bay

next time ya come, maybe it will rain......

l8r, John

 

[Bray D]

I still think I could get around decently. That place is all rock. I know, I know...rock gets slick. Midwestern mud is slicker.

 

[JohnnyU]

*AHEM*




Um, progress pics please?

 

[86 slo-vo]

There usually pretty good traction at TB wet or dry, Wet there is usually 2-3 of slop on top of a solid base. Makes some of the steep hills pretty hard but not terrible. In Fall when it's when it sucks, all the leaves make the downhills pretty sketchy.

 

[Bray D]

here's the results after the volleyball trick:

Like I said, I think it can be better, but its a huge improvement over what it was.

Started on the bumper build tonight. I seriously need bend tech. I have a feeling I'm going to waste a good bit of tube. I don't really know exactly what I'm doing design wise either, just kinda going with what works. I originally wanted to cut up my grill to tuck my winch up nice n high, but after looking a it, there appears to be a pretty substantial support that I would have to cut out. I don't want to risk having a flimsy grill so I'll leave it in tact. I can still tuck my winch up high enough that the bottom of the frame would be the absolute lowest part of the bumper - which is a huge improvement over the stock bumper clearance wise.

Started by cleanin up the ol' bender.

Bumper in raw form. We'll see how much I need. I'm hopin under 2 sticks (24ft).

The reason for the build.

Bumper and brackets off.

Bending up the 'stinger'. After bending it up, I cut it down a bit and the pieces I cut off will be used for the side supports running from the side of the frame up to the horizontal tube.

That last pic was with it vertical. Once its in position (angled out a bit) it will look lower than it is in the pic, which kinda pisses me off. I wanted it to be about flush with the top of my hood. I bent the tube to 75* according to my degree ring (the tube was relaxed but still in the bender). When I took it out, it was more like 67*.

That made it wider, so it can't be as high as I'd like and still tie into the frame rails. I wanted the two bends to be closer together as well, but its not possible with the bender. That's 3", and as close as I could get.

I could cut, narrow, n slug it so there's not such a wide flat spot, but I'm not sure I want to do that. I think I'll just run it and it'll be however tall it ends up being.

Manual benders suck mucho. I got a serious workout bending the stinger. I need a longer lever. Bend quality is nice though.

 

[86 slo-vo]

Manual benders suck mucho. I got a serious workout bending the stinger. I need a longer lever. Bend quality is nice though.

yea mine will work you pretty hard. are you using 180 degree die's?

 

[Bray D]

The one I got is 240*. 1.75" OD tube. 6" bend radius.

 

[JohnnyU]

If you hadn't told us, we would have never known. It looks good so far, but I think it'll be hard to tie the cribbing and cooler into the design with that little ground clearance...

 

[kroussinoffroad]

shoulda checked out my build a little more. my winch is tucked behind my grill all i had to do was notch that support (same support mazda-ford) and notch the grill ever so slightly. the grill is just a sturdy as it was before i cut it. also keeps alot of crap off the winch.

dont ask bout the bungy or trailer ball they are not there for any particular reasone.

also having the winch controls hardwired to the inside make is nice for this setup. i can still get my controller in but you really need to look at what your doin to get it in there.

 

[Explorin94]

dont ask bout the bungy or trailer ball they are not there for any particular reasone.

One questrion for ya.....What is the bungy and the ball for?



You opened the door and I had too!

 

[JohnnyU]

I definitely like the winch out in the open as opposed to being concealed. Grabbing the engagement lever or knob can be a real PITA if you have to twist around behind or under the bumper. Right out of top is nice and easy. Remember, we're building for function as well as form.