60 storage tailgate lids and quarter panels (1 Viewer)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

100- Southco locking latches with bumper pads arrived today.

J

IMG_20160919_095847033.webp
IMG_20160919_095920025.webp
 
are you using solidworks?
 
I've had a couple of questions come up in the past couple of days... Here are my answers to these questions...

#1) Larger door size opening. I will NOT make the door larger. Why, the latch rods become exposed when you make the doors larger and anyone that has bent or damaged these rods know the tailgate never opens the same again. However, the rods can still be damaged from other items, but with them being covered from a top exposure point, it will help reduce this.

#2) Gas struts will not be installed. People are welcome to add these themselves, if they are so inclined.

#3) 6061 material was chosen because it is has a harder Brinell rating than 5052, but much is softer , yet cheaper than the 7075 I original wanted to go with. It was a stronger but more price suitable material. Happy medium, if you will.... plus is much more scratch resistant than a softer grade. If you guys use your rig like I do. I want a surface that will stand the test of time from rugged use.

#4) Why 1/4" vs 3/16"... I can take a piece of 3/16" x 10" x 3' long and it deflects quite a bit when I twist it by hand. The longer the piece the easier to twist of course. The same size 1/4" piece still deflects, but it is about a quarter of the range. Overall just a much stronger piece of material. I've loaded one of my dual doors up with over 300#s with no issues.

Thanks,

J
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom