Dissent offroad modular rear bumper.
- Thread starter benc
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #742
Should have the first portion of the ladder soon, hopefully by next Friday and in aluminum! This stuff can get heavy quick so hopefully will cut some good weight with aluminum. There will be a 1/2 ladder and full ladder option the bottom portion will have 3 steps with a 3gal rotopax mount inside the ladder and stop just below the rear window.
There will be an optional ladder extension that will bolt on the the base ladder an extend up to the roof. The rungs will be custom formed and bolt to the risers with slotted holes so they will be completly adjustable, there will also be several slotted holes on the rungs and risers to allow endless options for mouting accessories. The ladder will bolt to the swing arm as well so it will be easily removed for bolting on other accessories however I'm hoping to use the ladder to mount most of the accessories including 2 bike rack, Propan tank, water can, additional fuel, maxtrax, axe, shovel ect ect. The basket with lockable drawer will most likley have to be a separate accessorie but we will see. Hopefully have some pics by next weekend.
There will be an optional ladder extension that will bolt on the the base ladder an extend up to the roof. The rungs will be custom formed and bolt to the risers with slotted holes so they will be completly adjustable, there will also be several slotted holes on the rungs and risers to allow endless options for mouting accessories. The ladder will bolt to the swing arm as well so it will be easily removed for bolting on other accessories however I'm hoping to use the ladder to mount most of the accessories including 2 bike rack, Propan tank, water can, additional fuel, maxtrax, axe, shovel ect ect. The basket with lockable drawer will most likley have to be a separate accessorie but we will see. Hopefully have some pics by next weekend.
oooooo......waiting on the bike rack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter
- #744
Still trying to decide on the top height, extending up higher looks better but makes it awkward to lean into the roof, the height in the pic allows it to follow the same angle as the Window and makes it much more comfortable to lean in and grab stuff from the roof. Thoughts?
I think it looks pretty damn good. probably a bit better when the top rung is level with the risers too. I don't see a functional need to go all the way up unless the extended length helps with mounting the various attachments you plan to fabricate.
Nice work!
Nice work!
- Thread starter
- #747
The problem is the top portion of the ladder is ajustible, the top is set up so it can be vertical or angled back to the window.
This way if you have the need for a taller flat surface to mount 4gal rotopax, maxtracks or other taller items you can simply loosen 4 bolts and straighten the top.
I see, well in that case I'm over function before esthetics, I can live with the slanted top.
- Thread starter
- #750
I know, Didn't think about that!
I'll have to move it over some.
Looks like the first few will have to re drill the holes unfortunately.
I mentioned it in your thread on ExPo, but I think some removable side steps on the ladder would be nice for those who want to mount stuff to the ladder but also access the roof rack. Overland Equipped has a bolt-on product for round-tube ladders that solves this issue:
I mentioned it in your thread on ExPo, but I think some removable side steps on the ladder would be nice for those who want to mount stuff to the ladder but also access the roof rack. Overland Equipped has a bolt-on product for round-tube ladders that solves this issue:
Where you get those inserts? I ordered the Gobi ladder a week ago (on back order), but after looking at Benc's ladder I might cancel my order though I think the Gobi ladder will fit behind the spare tire arm if I keep it. I wouldn't mind having a place to hang stuff on both sides. I almost killed my self washing the roof of the truck not having anything to hold on too as I was climbing from the back which is why I ordered the Gobi ladder while I get bumper and if I get arms.
The manufacturer's name was in my post, but I sent you a PM with the info.
Not to be disrespectful but your new ladder looks a little clunky to me. I don't doubt it's super functional but it's aesthetic is a little more than what I would prefer on my rear bumper. Less is more in my opinion. I have a Dissent front bumper and I love it but that ladder doesn't look like the same style as the bumper's style. Looks like a erector set IMO. Any plans to make a simple style ladder/rack? I would be more incline to buy that, then this particular version.
- Thread starter
- #756
I appreciate the feedback however when building a production product it has to speak to the masses aesthetically and function, I have no doubt this design will do both. IMHO the simple tube style ladders are more for looks than anything els.
I will not be offering a production tube ladder for this reason.
That being said, all the accessories bolt on to the swing arm and are sold separately so they simply would not be purchased if they don't fit your needs. Form is obviously extremely important to me but function must alway come first IMO. I feel it accomplishes both.
I know it not everyone's cup of tea but do believe it will apeal to the masses. The accessories that can be mounted are almost endless! To me there is no reason to bring another copy to market!
There are plenty of well built simple options available if that's what you would prefer.
That being said anything thing is possible and a custom ladder could be built but this will be the route I will go for production.
Again, these were just some teaser pics of the first prototype, the next one will be much more refined.
I will not be offering a production tube ladder for this reason.
That being said, all the accessories bolt on to the swing arm and are sold separately so they simply would not be purchased if they don't fit your needs. Form is obviously extremely important to me but function must alway come first IMO. I feel it accomplishes both.
I know it not everyone's cup of tea but do believe it will apeal to the masses. The accessories that can be mounted are almost endless! To me there is no reason to bring another copy to market!
There are plenty of well built simple options available if that's what you would prefer.
That being said anything thing is possible and a custom ladder could be built but this will be the route I will go for production.
Again, these were just some teaser pics of the first prototype, the next one will be much more refined.
Ben, I like where you're heading. And I know there will be refinements. To me, the ladder appears a little thick down on the swing arm. About half that thick on the lower leg I think would look good and should still give you room for mounting accessories. Also, think the extension down over the lower bumper is too much. It covers that awesome logo plate. What is the chance of the ladder vibrating and the lower leg scraping the bumper finish? I think is should stop at the bottom of the swing arm.
On the top of the ladder, I think the side extensions should be flush with the top rung.
I really like where you're going with these products. Can't buy today, but it is definitely on my radar for the near future. Been waiting and biding my time to see where the other swing arm (ladder) progresses and I do like it. Can't wait to see a cooler basket.
On the top of the ladder, I think the side extensions should be flush with the top rung.
I really like where you're going with these products. Can't buy today, but it is definitely on my radar for the near future. Been waiting and biding my time to see where the other swing arm (ladder) progresses and I do like it. Can't wait to see a cooler basket.
- Thread starter
- #759
Th
Here are my reasons for going below the swing arm and reasons why it's thick on the bottom.
I personally think the angle blends much better where it is now rather than up higher, (I did several different configurations with cardboard first) it the ladder stopped at the top of the swing arm that would raise your first step up about 4 more inches which for me is not a problem but I'm 6'5", my wife on the other hand is 5'2 so every inch lower on the steps counts. For function I new I wanted to have the bottom portion vertical and be able to mout accessories inside the ladder as well, I also needed the back profile to match the tire carrier profile and to get those both that is where it had to be. The original plan was to not go lower than the swing arm but after mocking some things up the first step was just to high for the average height person, I will have to relocate the badges which sucks but I couldn't bring myself to design the ladder around the badge
there is about a 3/8-1/2" clearance between the bumper and the ladder so contact should not be an issue.
In the end this bumper is all about utility so there are a few aesthetic compromise I had to make to get there. Like I have said before there is a fine line between forum over function but in the end, especially on a vital tool like an accessory swing out, function has to win. Hope this clears some things up.
thanks for the feed back!
Here are my reasons for going below the swing arm and reasons why it's thick on the bottom.
I personally think the angle blends much better where it is now rather than up higher, (I did several different configurations with cardboard first) it the ladder stopped at the top of the swing arm that would raise your first step up about 4 more inches which for me is not a problem but I'm 6'5", my wife on the other hand is 5'2 so every inch lower on the steps counts. For function I new I wanted to have the bottom portion vertical and be able to mout accessories inside the ladder as well, I also needed the back profile to match the tire carrier profile and to get those both that is where it had to be. The original plan was to not go lower than the swing arm but after mocking some things up the first step was just to high for the average height person, I will have to relocate the badges which sucks but I couldn't bring myself to design the ladder around the badge
there is about a 3/8-1/2" clearance between the bumper and the ladder so contact should not be an issue. In the end this bumper is all about utility so there are a few aesthetic compromise I had to make to get there. Like I have said before there is a fine line between forum over function but in the end, especially on a vital tool like an accessory swing out, function has to win. Hope this clears some things up.
