My scratch built expedition style trailer build up thread - Page 4

chappysfj40 · 08-19-07, 08:16 AM

awesome build, i love it

REZARF · 08-21-07, 09:12 PM

Well, for an hours worth of work, I don't have much to show, getting this drawbar square and true prooved to be a challenge. You can see in the pic how I had to shim, clamp, sand bag, and level to get this thing square, but it came out well in the end

Here are a few pics, think those welds will hold?

REZARF · 08-21-07, 09:14 PM

...and I ended up here. Enjoy the visual feast

Degnol · 08-21-07, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REZARF

I think you are going to be just fine. Here is a link to the axle I got...

http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.p...t=brown+shorts

Tell Randy I sent you... he wont know who I am though

I went back and post #14ish restates the 55" width. That is for a 76 with stock drum brakes.

I was very impressed with ABC Trailer parts.

Thanks, Drew, I guess my short-medium term memory is not yet fading. I'm going to call him tomorrow. Still going to use my '40 spring packs...minus a few leafs.

Ed

Degnol · 08-22-07, 11:25 AM

Drew, i just got off the phone with Randy and the whole deal was too smooth! The tube diameter is not 3" however, it is 2 3/8" on a #3500 axle. I would have to move up to a #5200 axle to get 3" tube. But I just ordered his u bolt kit for that tube and will have to make my own ubolt plates to fit the wider LC springs.

That outfit is a pleasure to deal with. Thanks for the reference!!!

Ed

REZARF · 08-22-07, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Degnol

Drew, i just got off the phone with Randy and the whole deal was too smooth! The tube diameter is not 3" however, it is 2 3/8" on a #3500 axle. I would have to move up to a #5200 axle to get 3" tube. But I just ordered his u bolt kit for that tube and will have to make my own ubolt plates to fit the wider LC springs.

That outfit is a pleasure to deal with. Thanks for the reference!!!

Ed

Ed-

I think you will get a sweet ride with the cruiser springs, if I had a pair laying around I would use them for sure. I bet you have better articulation and ride with them. Glad to hear everything at ABC was as good for you as it was for me.

Drew

Degnol · 08-22-07, 07:36 PM

Randy is a piece of work! Knows his sh*t and was very helpful. Told me the cost with shipping and said "I won't charge your card until I ship, give me your email and I'll forward tracking numbers"
Does it get any better than that? Can we clone this guy?

Thanks for the link.....again!

Ed

REZARF · 08-31-07, 08:03 PM

I got a little time to tack up the front end of the trailer on Monday. It was fun to try to get all the angles right. My cheapo HF saw and getting angles right... don't exactly mix too well.

So after a lot of measuring, chopping and heavy use of a hand file, I got to within reasonable tolerances for welding this thing up.

Here is a shot of how it started with a detail shot of each joint.

REZARF · 08-31-07, 08:09 PM

After tacking the front bars were tacked into place. I cut and fit two more pieces of the tube to create another cross-member up front. All in all it came out well. I hope to burn all the welds in this weekend.

It is crazy how much time it takes to measure cut and fit verses running the welder over the finished joints. It is like 6 hours of cutting, shaping, and fitting for about 10 minutes of running weld beads

They say triangulation is the key to strength so a few triangles ought to help the front end. Also, tying the front-side draw-bars into the side rails should minimize the twisting effect of the main draw-bar (center) tube.

That said, here is where she sits today...

Degnol · 08-31-07, 08:24 PM

Drew,
Are your X-members right above the spring eyes and shackle mounts? I like your frame design. ABC just delivered my axle today at my KC office......box O' parts..........minus the axle. Well, they were shipped separately so I'll wait.
I have done mine bass-ackwards from your build. Made the rectangular frame first and will proceed from there.

Keep burning and posting pics!

Thanks,

Ed

REZARF · 08-31-07, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Degnol

Drew,
Are your X-members right above the spring eyes and shackle mounts?

Keep burning and posting pics!

Thanks,

Ed

Yup, you guessed it. My crossmembers are centered over the spring hangers. The thing you will probaly wrestle with the most is the idea of keeping things light... and strong. It is easy to make it strong... keeping it light is a bit harder.

Make sure you start a build up thread once you get going!

Rezarf <><

photogod · 08-31-07, 11:16 PM

[quote=REZARF;2500297]I got a little time to tack up the front end of the trailer on Monday. It was fun to try to get all the angles right. My cheapo HF saw and getting angles right... don't exactly mix too well.

I feel your pain. I use the chop saw and have learned to go reeeeeeeeeel slooooooooow when cutting angles so the abraisave blade doesn't warp and cause a weird angle.

Your project is looking very nice. keep the photos comming. Nice job!

REZARF · 08-31-07, 11:20 PM

Yeah, I try to keep the speed up on the blade and chop release, chop/release, chop/release... etc.

The blade wanders if I just chop away.

Patience is the key for sure.

Arya Ebrahimi · 09-01-07, 04:31 PM

Get a bandsaw, you'll never look back

REZARF · 09-01-07, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arya Ebrahimi

Get a bandsaw, you'll never look back

No space

Arya Ebrahimi · 09-02-07, 09:37 AM

I only have a portaband and it is by far my favorite tool in the shop now. I'm lusting after an upright bandsaw, but I need a job before I can pick up one of them.

Trailer's looking good, hurry up and finish it already!

REZARF · 09-02-07, 10:36 PM

Got the chassis "rolling" today. It was a fun day of measuring and tacking some of the major suspension components into place.

I started out by lugging the chassis back to the saw-horses for about the 100th time

Then I measured out each of the spring hangers and tacked them into place.

I am not sure where but I was off about an 1/8" toward the rear on the drivers side, once I measured for square everything checked out, but it has me puzzled, the axle is square to the drawarm, I just can't find where I am missing the 1/8"?

Anyhow, after measuring for another hour, I realized as long as the axle is square to the draw-arm, I was fine.

REZARF · 09-02-07, 10:42 PM

After the spring hanger dilemma I was on to mounting up the springs. Short little guys... I can see it bouncing now!

This was a simple as it looks, I had Randy at www.abctrailerparts.com leave my spring perches off so I could put them right where I wanted them, and as it turns out, this was a great idea.

Once I got the axle centered over the chassis and springs it was time to mark the spring perches for welding. However, I didn't clean the finish off the axle before mocking it up (do this if you can before

). Then I realized if I used a marker, it would just get sanded off, so I pulled out a spring punch/awl and outlined the axle to perch overlap... worked out great.

REZARF · 09-02-07, 10:44 PM

Once the perches where in place I put some friends who were over for dinner to work...

Once we had it buttoned up we removed the sawhorses and prepped for the 35's to go on.

Arya Ebrahimi · 09-02-07, 10:48 PM

Just a tip for tacking brackets in place. If you tack at the corners/ends of the tab/bracket it makes fully welding the piece in place a lot easier as you don't have to "absorb" the tack into your weld. Also makes breaking things apart easier too.

Lookin good man!

REZARF · 09-02-07, 10:49 PM

Once the tires were mounted up, the thing just came alive!

I am stoked, there are a lot of welds to run tomorrow, but it is nice to have the day mostly off. I have to do it spurts to avoid warping, but I am going to double check everything that needs to be square... which is EVERYTHING, then I will burn it in.

I have decided to run LED side marker lights with two amber lenses facing forward at the top of the cargo box, another two on the front sides, and two red LED clearance lights out back on the sides.

Now, I need to mount up the pintle and work on the sliding tongue.

REZARF · 09-02-07, 10:52 PM

Holding the front up with the Bulldog jack gave me an idea...

I am going to make a short, 6in or so, sleeve that will fit inside the main draw-bar location and be able to be pinned with a hitch pin, but it will also have a round mount welded to the front edge of the sleeve. Then I can remove the sliding draw-bar and stuff the sleeve in and prop the trailer up with it, essentially shortening the trailer by nearly 3 feet for storage... we'll see!

08-19-07, 08:16 AM	#91
chappysfj40 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: PORT HUENEME , CA TLCA# 9188 Posts: 447	awesome build, i love it __________________ - Iam home now from the SUCK !!!!!!! VJ60 700R4 33's 203 doubler, ARB's 4.56, OME and just a awesome truck!!!!!!!!!! - RUBITHON 2008 TESTED GOD ASKED FOR 10 DAYS TO CREATE EARTH, CHUCK NORRIS GAVE HIM 7..

08-21-07, 09:12 PM	#92
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,761	Well, for an hours worth of work, I don't have much to show, getting this drawbar square and true prooved to be a challenge. You can see in the pic how I had to shim, clamp, sand bag, and level to get this thing square, but it came out well in the end Here are a few pics, think those welds will hold? 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.

08-21-07, 09:14 PM	#93
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,761	...and I ended up here. Enjoy the visual feast 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.

08-22-07, 11:25 AM	#95
Degnol Noaccount Webwheeler Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansastitty TLCA# 14529 Posts: 6,156	Drew, i just got off the phone with Randy and the whole deal was too smooth! The tube diameter is not 3" however, it is 2 3/8" on a #3500 axle. I would have to move up to a #5200 axle to get 3" tube. But I just ordered his u bolt kit for that tube and will have to make my own ubolt plates to fit the wider LC springs. That outfit is a pleasure to deal with. Thanks for the reference!!! Ed __________________ There is nothing so depraved as a man in the depths of an ether binge '66FJ40, Fresh 2F, H42/Orion(By Poser...LCR4WD), ARB Front/rear(By Poser...LCR4WD), MetalTech Cage installed by Poser, Screw-ups fixed(by Poser) 4WDB Corvette Master, Mini Truck PS, 3.5" Lift, Warn 8274, 33s on stockers

08-22-07, 07:36 PM	#97
Degnol Noaccount Webwheeler Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansastitty TLCA# 14529 Posts: 6,156	Randy is a piece of work! Knows his sht and was very helpful. Told me the cost with shipping and said "I won't charge your card until I ship, give me your email and I'll forward tracking numbers" Does it get any better than that? Can we clone this guy? Thanks for the link.....again! Ed __________________ There is nothing so depraved as a man in the depths of an ether binge* '66FJ40, Fresh 2F, H42/Orion(By Poser...LCR4WD), ARB Front/rear(By Poser...LCR4WD), MetalTech Cage installed by Poser, Screw-ups fixed(by Poser) 4WDB Corvette Master, Mini Truck PS, 3.5" Lift, Warn 8274, 33s on stockers

08-31-07, 08:03 PM	#98
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,761	I got a little time to tack up the front end of the trailer on Monday. It was fun to try to get all the angles right. My cheapo HF saw and getting angles right... don't exactly mix too well. So after a lot of measuring, chopping and heavy use of a hand file, I got to within reasonable tolerances for welding this thing up. Here is a shot of how it started with a detail shot of each joint. 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.

08-31-07, 08:09 PM	#99
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,761	After tacking the front bars were tacked into place. I cut and fit two more pieces of the tube to create another cross-member up front. All in all it came out well. I hope to burn all the welds in this weekend. It is crazy how much time it takes to measure cut and fit verses running the welder over the finished joints. It is like 6 hours of cutting, shaping, and fitting for about 10 minutes of running weld beads They say triangulation is the key to strength so a few triangles ought to help the front end. Also, tying the front-side draw-bars into the side rails should minimize the twisting effect of the main draw-bar (center) tube. That said, here is where she sits today... 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.

08-31-07, 08:24 PM	#100
Degnol Noaccount Webwheeler Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansastitty TLCA# 14529 Posts: 6,156	Drew, Are your X-members right above the spring eyes and shackle mounts? I like your frame design. ABC just delivered my axle today at my KC office......box O' parts..........minus the axle. Well, they were shipped separately so I'll wait. I have done mine bass-ackwards from your build. Made the rectangular frame first and will proceed from there. Keep burning and posting pics! Thanks, Ed __________________ There is nothing so depraved as a man in the depths of an ether binge '66FJ40, Fresh 2F, H42/Orion(By Poser...LCR4WD), ARB Front/rear(By Poser...LCR4WD), MetalTech Cage installed by Poser, Screw-ups fixed(by Poser) 4WDB Corvette Master, Mini Truck PS, 3.5" Lift, Warn 8274, 33s on stockers

08-31-07, 11:16 PM	#102
photogod I'm really very humble Join Date: May 2004 Location: MN Posts: 1,252	[quote=REZARF;2500297]I got a little time to tack up the front end of the trailer on Monday. It was fun to try to get all the angles right. My cheapo HF saw and getting angles right... don't exactly mix too well. I feel your pain. I use the chop saw and have learned to go reeeeeeeeeel slooooooooow when cutting angles so the abraisave blade doesn't warp and cause a weird angle. Your project is looking very nice. keep the photos comming. Nice job! __________________ 94 FZJ80, factory locked with mods worth more than the truck.

08-31-07, 11:20 PM	#103
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,761	Yeah, I try to keep the speed up on the blade and chop release, chop/release, chop/release... etc. The blade wanders if I just chop away. Patience is the key for sure. __________________ 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.

09-01-07, 04:31 PM	#104
Arya Ebrahimi Something clever Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 2,412	Get a bandsaw, you'll never look back __________________ HOKIES UNITED Arya Ebrahimi '94 FZJ80 200k miles, locked, 285 Revo's, ARB Bullbar, Hella 4000's, homemade drawers My mini-truck buildup thread...updated 9/10 Mini-truck's first trip!! With PICS! 11/10

09-02-07, 09:37 AM	#106
Arya Ebrahimi Something clever Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 2,412	I only have a portaband and it is by far my favorite tool in the shop now. I'm lusting after an upright bandsaw, but I need a job before I can pick up one of them. Trailer's looking good, hurry up and finish it already! __________________ HOKIES UNITED Arya Ebrahimi '94 FZJ80 200k miles, locked, 285 Revo's, ARB Bullbar, Hella 4000's, homemade drawers My mini-truck buildup thread...updated 9/10 Mini-truck's first trip!! With PICS! 11/10

09-02-07, 10:36 PM	#107
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,761	I am on a ROLL! ;) Got the chassis "rolling" today. It was a fun day of measuring and tacking some of the major suspension components into place. I started out by lugging the chassis back to the saw-horses for about the 100th time Then I measured out each of the spring hangers and tacked them into place. I am not sure where but I was off about an 1/8" toward the rear on the drivers side, once I measured for square everything checked out, but it has me puzzled, the axle is square to the drawarm, I just can't find where I am missing the 1/8"? Anyhow, after measuring for another hour, I realized as long as the axle is square to the draw-arm, I was fine. 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.

09-02-07, 10:42 PM	#108
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,761	After the spring hanger dilemma I was on to mounting up the springs. Short little guys... I can see it bouncing now! This was a simple as it looks, I had Randy at www.abctrailerparts.com leave my spring perches off so I could put them right where I wanted them, and as it turns out, this was a great idea. Once I got the axle centered over the chassis and springs it was time to mark the spring perches for welding. However, I didn't clean the finish off the axle before mocking it up (do this if you can before ). Then I realized if I used a marker, it would just get sanded off, so I pulled out a spring punch/awl and outlined the axle to perch overlap... worked out great. 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.

09-02-07, 10:44 PM	#109
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,761	It's rolling... sorta' Once the perches where in place I put some friends who were over for dinner to work... Once we had it buttoned up we removed the sawhorses and prepped for the 35's to go on. 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.

09-02-07, 10:48 PM	#110
Arya Ebrahimi Something clever Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 2,412	Just a tip for tacking brackets in place. If you tack at the corners/ends of the tab/bracket it makes fully welding the piece in place a lot easier as you don't have to "absorb" the tack into your weld. Also makes breaking things apart easier too. Lookin good man! __________________ HOKIES UNITED Arya Ebrahimi '94 FZJ80 200k miles, locked, 285 Revo's, ARB Bullbar, Hella 4000's, homemade drawers My mini-truck buildup thread...updated 9/10 Mini-truck's first trip!! With PICS! 11/10

09-02-07, 10:49 PM	#111
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,761	Once the tires were mounted up, the thing just came alive! I am stoked, there are a lot of welds to run tomorrow, but it is nice to have the day mostly off. I have to do it spurts to avoid warping, but I am going to double check everything that needs to be square... which is EVERYTHING, then I will burn it in. I have decided to run LED side marker lights with two amber lenses facing forward at the top of the cargo box, another two on the front sides, and two red LED clearance lights out back on the sides. Now, I need to mount up the pintle and work on the sliding tongue. 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.

09-02-07, 10:52 PM	#112
REZARF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Louisville, CO TLCA# 13041 Posts: 2,761	Holding the front up with the Bulldog jack gave me an idea... I am going to make a short, 6in or so, sleeve that will fit inside the main draw-bar location and be able to be pinned with a hitch pin, but it will also have a round mount welded to the front edge of the sleeve. Then I can remove the sliding draw-bar and stuff the sleeve in and prop the trailer up with it, essentially shortening the trailer by nearly 3 feet for storage... we'll see! __________________ 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.