My scratch built expedition style trailer build up thread - Page 14

REZARF · 01-28-08, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davegonz

Hurry up dude....I'm aching to see the sheet metal.

You and me both... still waiting.

Rezarf <><

REZARF · 02-07-08, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REZARF

Got a few sweet Birthday presents for the trailer yesterday, I will have to sneak a pic or two and post up...

Here are a few pics of my mucho awesome trailer birthday presents... The other will be revealed after paint

Still waiting on sheet metal

spressomon · 02-07-08, 06:08 PM

Damn aquarius

Happy Birthday fellow aquarius

cruzzer · 02-07-08, 07:29 PM

happy B-day! Nice hitch!

Steve

davegonz · 02-07-08, 07:41 PM

Happy BirFday! Hurry up with the sheet metal!!!!

sseaman · 02-07-08, 08:07 PM

Happy BDay, Drew, but we need pics

REZARF · 02-07-08, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spressomon

Damn aquarius

Happy Birthday fellow aquarius

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzzer

happy B-day! Nice hitch!

Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by davegonz

Happy BirFday! Hurry up with the sheet metal!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sseaman

Happy BDay, Drew, but we need pics

Thanks guys, I am still waiting on the sheet metal, I am getting a screaming deal from a friend, but I am on their schedule... it will be worth the wait! at least I am convincing myself that.

Maybe tomorrow, but we will see.

Rezarf <><

cruzzer · 02-08-08, 04:51 AM

Those lock-n-roll's dot cert'ed?? I really like them but out here in the eastern soviet State of Pa the Dot St troppers do check things like that. I'm thinking about putting one on my new build. Would really confuse the guys that steal trailers.. wouldn't know how to hook up with only half that hitch!..
Steve

REZARF · 02-09-08, 03:48 PM

Got a call today from my friend and...

My sheet metal is READY!

Picking it up tomorrow, I will post up pics of the laser cut and sheared goodness, but it is my one year anniversary... so don't expect too much

REZARF · 02-09-08, 05:35 PM

So my sheet metal is ready and waiting on me, and of course, I missed the call to get it today because I was doing a bunch of little things on the trailer.

So, I will give a short update on a few piddly things I got done...

First off, I needed to attach the front of the little box it was a no brainer, simple angled steel cut to size, drill the appropriate hole, then bolt it down. It came out nice I think and it is ROCK solid, which is good cause lots of heavy stuff is going into it, like the battery and jack when not in use.

REZARF · 02-09-08, 05:37 PM

It was a bummer to have to weld off those pretty welds, I am starting to get the hang of making them look decent as well as being strong.

Here is an overall shot, I was playing with the hoop for the rack on the little box, trying to figure out how I want to mount it.

REZARF · 02-09-08, 05:42 PM

Next up, I added some chain "loops" to the draw bar. I got the tabs from some race shop that builds race cars, and they came stamped to size, with the hole already in them, and they are nice and beefy .25" thick... all for practically nothing. It seems silly but man do the little things like that save time!

I started out by finding the correct angle to mount them at (welding magnet angle

) then tacked them into place. I decided not to hang them straight down as they might start to catch on rocks, then I thought about mounting them on the sides, and I could just see my knees bleeding already

, so part-way down and part sideways is where they ended up. I will smooth out the edges with the flap disk to avoid any unwanted injuries... hmmm, is there such a thing as wanted injuries?

REZARF · 02-09-08, 05:43 PM

Another artistic, weld bead shot...

...getting there, but the CO2 I am running still yields quite a bit of spatter, any tips

REZARF · 02-09-08, 05:48 PM

These were pretty fun to make, I decided way back in the original design stages that I could turn both frame rails into storage for long items like poles and things, so I made little doors to close the gaps today.

I took some piano hinge that I have for the side boxes and cut off about 2" for each door. Then I drilled 3 holes in each side of the hinge to "spot" weld the door and frame to. After tacking them in place then fitting them up on the trailer... all the while trying to avoid warping the 1/16" material, I burned them in a little at a time until they were completely welded on.

I looks like they have a big gap in the pic, but they are square and the fit really nicely. I will add a gasket to them after they get painted to seal them up tight.

REZARF · 02-09-08, 05:51 PM

And here are the itsy-bitsy adjustable draw latches that will keep them closed and rattle free! I will likely use a linchpin to keep them from popping open.

REZARF · 02-09-08, 05:56 PM

Last one for today, I thought I would share about a cool little product that I have bought a few days ago. It goes by a few different names usually rivet nuts or nutserts. I got one at my local hardware store. You insert it just like a rivet, but you have a special insert that leaves not only a rivet, but also a threaded insert so you can fasten a bolt to them. All my research I have done says they are super secure once installed and I yanked on this one pretty hard and had no issues...

Pretty cool tool this will help mount all the little things on the trailer that need to get bolted down, like electrical, little shelves, things like that.

REZARF · 02-09-08, 05:58 PM

Here is a good side shot to show off how it works a bit.

REZARF · 02-09-08, 05:59 PM

And just in case you missed it!...

Quote:

Originally Posted by REZARF

Got a call today from my friend and...

My sheet metal is READY!

Picking it up tomorrow, I will post up pics of the laser cut and sheared goodness, but it is my one year anniversary... so don't expect too much

spressomon · 02-09-08, 08:31 PM

Drew,
Once again you posted some nice pics and ideas too! I like your idea for using the box channel frame for poles storage, etc! And you will really like the Loc n Roll hitch...a very slick design indeed!

I too would like to know if there is a technique to reducing/eliminating MIG spatter. I've tried the anti-spatter spray...sprayed the tip/nozzle area, sprayed the work, etc. but didn't totally eliminate the spatter. Or is this just a fact with MIG?

REZARF · 02-09-08, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spressomon

Drew,
Once again you posted some nice pics and ideas too! I like your idea for using the box channel frame for poles storage, etc! And you will really like the Loc n Roll hitch...a very slick design indeed!

I too would like to know if there is a technique to reducing/eliminating MIG spatter. I've tried the anti-spatter spray...sprayed the tip/nozzle area, sprayed the work, etc. but didn't totally eliminate the spatter. Or is this just a fact with MIG?

I have heard c25 is the way to go, but I have yet to run it, since I have two CO2 tanks already. Sometimes I get a lot more spatter than other times, but I haven't figured out the deal as to why yet.

spressomon · 02-09-08, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REZARF

I have heard c25 is the way to go, but I have yet to run it, since I have two CO2 tanks already. Sometimes I get a lot more spatter than other times, but I haven't figured out the deal as to why yet.

Ditto on the variable spatter thing.

MIG Welding Gas Comparison

This is an excerpt from the link above:
"Conclusions
The choice of shielding gas made a lot of difference to the ease of welding. Argon/CO2 mix or Argoshield result in easier and neater welds given a free choice of gas, but a MIG welder can be used with CO2 (pub gas) if you can put up with increased spatter and a less steady arc."

I just read on the Miller site excessive spatter can be cased by too high voltage...

J-man · 02-10-08, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REZARF

And here are the itsy-bitsy adjustable draw latches that will keep them closed and rattle free! I will likely use a linchpin to keep them from popping open.

that my friend, is proof of crazy amounts of detail. WOW. Lookin real nice drew.

REZARF · 02-10-08, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-man

that my friend, is proof of crazy amounts of detail. WOW. Lookin real nice drew.

Thanks J-man, when are we going to see the next round of mods on your little trailer? Did you fix that upper bar yet?

Drew

02-07-08, 06:08 PM	#393
spressomon IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Reno Posts: 4,914	Damn aquarius Happy Birthday fellow aquarius __________________ Modded '99 for overlanding/exploring: 35's, 4.88's, AO drawers, Slee rr, TJM fr, ARB fr locker, ear candy, Waeco CF-50, PowerGate with 2nd battery, home brew sliders & t-case skid plate, 9.5XP/X-line, LF 170's, OEM 864's, Foxes x 4, 12mm BL, Carl's UCAs, ... KE7NCM

02-07-08, 07:41 PM	#395
davegonz Keeping it Weird Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Austin, TX TLCA# 14650 Posts: 1,138 Blog Entries: 1	Happy BirFday! Hurry up with the sheet metal!!!! __________________ David Gonzalez __________________________________________________ "Penny" Bronze 2000 100-series 33" BFG A/T's, storage drawers, OME Heavy Lift, Kenwood Nav System Old trucks:1993 FZJ80 White, 1993 FZJ80 Green, 1991 4BTJ62 david.gonzalez@gmail.com Lone Star Land Cruisers “I HEAR AND I FORGET, I SEE AND I REMEMBER, I DO AND I UNDERSTAND” - CONFUCIUS

02-07-08, 08:07 PM	#396
sseaman IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,358	Happy BDay, Drew, but we need pics __________________ 91 FJ80 318k, spare tire mod, custom roof rack----SOLD 98 4runner 136k 98 Avalon 138k

02-08-08, 04:51 AM	#398
cruzzer IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 105	Those lock-n-roll's dot cert'ed?? I really like them but out here in the eastern soviet State of Pa the Dot St troppers do check things like that. I'm thinking about putting one on my new build. Would really confuse the guys that steal trailers.. wouldn't know how to hook up with only half that hitch!.. Steve Last edited by cruzzer; 06-15-08 at 07:47 AM.

02-09-08, 03:48 PM	#399
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,839	Got a call today from my friend and... My sheet metal is READY! Picking it up tomorrow, I will post up pics of the laser cut and sheared goodness, but it is my one year anniversary... so don't expect too much __________________ Drew F. Rising Sun 4x4 Club 76 FJ40, 85 fj60 Engine and Ignition, 35" MTR's, Warn 8074, 4" of lift TPI, snorkeled, racked, Mini-truck P/S... and sometimes running. Friends don't let friends drive Thornbirds... My camping trailer build up thread.

02-07-08, 07:29 PM	#394
cruzzer IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 105	happy B-day! Nice hitch! Steve

02-09-08, 05:35 PM	#400
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,839	So my sheet metal is ready and waiting on me, and of course, I missed the call to get it today because I was doing a bunch of little things on the trailer. So, I will give a short update on a few piddly things I got done... First off, I needed to attach the front of the little box it was a no brainer, simple angled steel cut to size, drill the appropriate hole, then bolt it down. It came out nice I think and it is ROCK solid, which is good cause lots of heavy stuff is going into it, like the battery and jack when not in use. Attached Images __________________ Drew F. Rising Sun 4x4 Club 76 FJ40, 85 fj60 Engine and Ignition, 35" MTR's, Warn 8074, 4" of lift TPI, snorkeled, racked, Mini-truck P/S... and sometimes running. Friends don't let friends drive Thornbirds... My camping trailer build up thread.

02-09-08, 05:37 PM	#401
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,839	It was a bummer to have to weld off those pretty welds, I am starting to get the hang of making them look decent as well as being strong. Here is an overall shot, I was playing with the hoop for the rack on the little box, trying to figure out how I want to mount it. Attached Images __________________ Drew F. Rising Sun 4x4 Club 76 FJ40, 85 fj60 Engine and Ignition, 35" MTR's, Warn 8074, 4" of lift TPI, snorkeled, racked, Mini-truck P/S... and sometimes running. Friends don't let friends drive Thornbirds... My camping trailer build up thread.

02-09-08, 05:42 PM	#402
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,839	Next up, I added some chain "loops" to the draw bar. I got the tabs from some race shop that builds race cars, and they came stamped to size, with the hole already in them, and they are nice and beefy .25" thick... all for practically nothing. It seems silly but man do the little things like that save time! I started out by finding the correct angle to mount them at (welding magnet angle ) then tacked them into place. I decided not to hang them straight down as they might start to catch on rocks, then I thought about mounting them on the sides, and I could just see my knees bleeding already , so part-way down and part sideways is where they ended up. I will smooth out the edges with the flap disk to avoid any unwanted injuries... hmmm, is there such a thing as wanted injuries? Attached Images __________________ Drew F. Rising Sun 4x4 Club 76 FJ40, 85 fj60 Engine and Ignition, 35" MTR's, Warn 8074, 4" of lift TPI, snorkeled, racked, Mini-truck P/S... and sometimes running. Friends don't let friends drive Thornbirds... My camping trailer build up thread. Last edited by REZARF; 02-09-08 at 08:59 PM.

02-09-08, 05:43 PM	#403
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,839	Another artistic, weld bead shot... ...getting there, but the CO2 I am running still yields quite a bit of spatter, any tips Attached Images __________________ Drew F. Rising Sun 4x4 Club 76 FJ40, 85 fj60 Engine and Ignition, 35" MTR's, Warn 8074, 4" of lift TPI, snorkeled, racked, Mini-truck P/S... and sometimes running. Friends don't let friends drive Thornbirds... My camping trailer build up thread.

02-09-08, 05:48 PM	#404
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,839	These were pretty fun to make, I decided way back in the original design stages that I could turn both frame rails into storage for long items like poles and things, so I made little doors to close the gaps today. I took some piano hinge that I have for the side boxes and cut off about 2" for each door. Then I drilled 3 holes in each side of the hinge to "spot" weld the door and frame to. After tacking them in place then fitting them up on the trailer... all the while trying to avoid warping the 1/16" material, I burned them in a little at a time until they were completely welded on. I looks like they have a big gap in the pic, but they are square and the fit really nicely. I will add a gasket to them after they get painted to seal them up tight. Attached Images __________________ Drew F. Rising Sun 4x4 Club 76 FJ40, 85 fj60 Engine and Ignition, 35" MTR's, Warn 8074, 4" of lift TPI, snorkeled, racked, Mini-truck P/S... and sometimes running. Friends don't let friends drive Thornbirds... My camping trailer build up thread. Last edited by REZARF; 02-09-08 at 09:00 PM.

02-09-08, 05:51 PM	#405
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,839	And here are the itsy-bitsy adjustable draw latches that will keep them closed and rattle free! I will likely use a linchpin to keep them from popping open. Attached Images __________________ Drew F. Rising Sun 4x4 Club 76 FJ40, 85 fj60 Engine and Ignition, 35" MTR's, Warn 8074, 4" of lift TPI, snorkeled, racked, Mini-truck P/S... and sometimes running. Friends don't let friends drive Thornbirds... My camping trailer build up thread.

02-09-08, 05:56 PM	#406
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,839	Last one for today, I thought I would share about a cool little product that I have bought a few days ago. It goes by a few different names usually rivet nuts or nutserts. I got one at my local hardware store. You insert it just like a rivet, but you have a special insert that leaves not only a rivet, but also a threaded insert so you can fasten a bolt to them. All my research I have done says they are super secure once installed and I yanked on this one pretty hard and had no issues... Pretty cool tool this will help mount all the little things on the trailer that need to get bolted down, like electrical, little shelves, things like that. Attached Images __________________ Drew F. Rising Sun 4x4 Club 76 FJ40, 85 fj60 Engine and Ignition, 35" MTR's, Warn 8074, 4" of lift TPI, snorkeled, racked, Mini-truck P/S... and sometimes running. Friends don't let friends drive Thornbirds... My camping trailer build up thread.

02-09-08, 05:58 PM	#407
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,839	Here is a good side shot to show off how it works a bit. Attached Images __________________ Drew F. Rising Sun 4x4 Club 76 FJ40, 85 fj60 Engine and Ignition, 35" MTR's, Warn 8074, 4" of lift TPI, snorkeled, racked, Mini-truck P/S... and sometimes running. Friends don't let friends drive Thornbirds... My camping trailer build up thread.

02-09-08, 08:31 PM	#409
spressomon IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Reno Posts: 4,914	Drew, Once again you posted some nice pics and ideas too! I like your idea for using the box channel frame for poles storage, etc! And you will really like the Loc n Roll hitch...a very slick design indeed! I too would like to know if there is a technique to reducing/eliminating MIG spatter. I've tried the anti-spatter spray...sprayed the tip/nozzle area, sprayed the work, etc. but didn't totally eliminate the spatter. Or is this just a fact with MIG? __________________ Modded '99 for overlanding/exploring: 35's, 4.88's, AO drawers, Slee rr, TJM fr, ARB fr locker, ear candy, Waeco CF-50, PowerGate with 2nd battery, home brew sliders & t-case skid plate, 9.5XP/X-line, LF 170's, OEM 864's, Foxes x 4, 12mm BL, Carl's UCAs, ... KE7NCM