New tube bender and New project. W/pics (3 Viewers)

[scrowley]

A few guys from our local club picthed in for a JDsquared model 32 tube bender and a notcher. I was first on the list for a project before it gets passed on. So after banging up my rear quarter panels on both sides I was really thinking of adding some protection. I have seen a few diff. ones her on mud including the arb front fender protection. I will be doing both front and rear protection. Please feel free to comment. If anyone has some tips they will be much appreciated.

I deflared my rig, did body work on rear quarters, pass rear door, and sprayed on Al's liner in prep. for the "tube flares"

First off was to mount the unit in my shop. I used 5/8" drop in masonary anchors. Had to drill four holes up to 7/8". Then dropped in the anchors and bolted it down. worked great.

Today I started on the driver side front fender. I have to add that I have never used a bender before today. There is def. a learning curve. I used up a couple lengths of 1 3/4" X .120 wall DOM tube while getting used to the bender. I figured this would happen. Overall it went ok. The notcher is by far the easiest step in the project so far.

I am still playing with different idea's for the front. First pic shows with a connecter by the front door. Second is without. I was thinking a little more support wouldn't hurt. If I dont do the tube there I will use flat stock and gusset up in the intersection where the tube meet. Tell me what you think.

I will still be adding another piece from the end of the ARB wing up to the straight section of tube. I will try to bend this to match the wheel well arch. I might cut the end of the arb wing off and incoperate the tube into it.

 

[FloridaCruiser813]

That's going to look great.

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Jealous!

 

[gofast]

You'd be surprised how flexible tubing is. I'd recommend staying away from your body a good inch and quarter. Lets you wash behind it too.

Looks awesome.

 

[scrowley]

Thanks! Good call on spacing. I didn't want too go to far. I spaced it kinda tight at 3/4" I hope to gusset it up enough to take some of the flex out. I have been tossed up on this project as I loved the look of the OEM flares but they just aren't known to stay on too long. I don't want to end up with my truck looking like the next doomsday prepper mobile with all the tube. We will see though.

This whole project will prob end up as a live and learn. Cross my fingers but I have never hit the front fenders in the last 2 yrs of wheeling. I just didn't want to tube the rear and not the front. Also I have already gone this far building the 80 and want to worry less about constant quarter damage. A couple trucks I wheel with have similar setup's and they do get some deflection into the body on hard hits.

 

[CruiseOrlando]

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I've had this as a 'pipe dream' (HAH) for quite some time. However, every time I get serious about it I discover another flaw in my plan, and it's back to ground-zero.

One thing I really like is how some of the 40 guys will incorporate tubing into the actual fender. Like in the pic below...

There's a number of examples out there... and obviously something of that style won't work on an 80, but you get the idea. So my thought was to have something that provided protection but also WAS the flare.

It's all good up front... but once you get to the back...well, that's when the wheels fall off of my plans.

Looking forward to what you come up with!

 

[scrowley]

Finished up the driver's front this afternoon. Everything except the one piece I want to add going from end of bumper wing up to the straight section of new tube.

It feels very stout at this point. I am satisfied with it. Unfortunatly I only picked up a 17' piece and after a couple messed up pieces while learning the bender I need more. The supplier I use is out of .120 DOM. So tomorrow I have to call around to find more.

Up next is to try and mirror the driver's side on the pass. I did write down measurements for some of the bends and cuts I did. I am sure I can get it close.

Some pics from today:

 

[Duiser Offroad]

Very good! How's the other side lookin???

 

[scrowley]

Thanks! I didnt start the other side. Ran out of tube because of a few mess up's. Sourced some in town today. Paid $5 ft last week and they where out. Found a place down the road today. Same tube. $8 a ft. I will be picking up a 20' for tomorrow. See if I can match the driver's side as close as possible. Quite a learning curve on the bender. I will just need time on it. To bad the cruiser will be the first victim. hahaha.

Very good! How's the other side lookin???

 

[elhombre]

With a sweet tube bender, I would suggest that you run another tube up from the top of the bumper edge closest to the tire, up to the main tube going back to the sliders. You could get all fancy and have it follow the same curve as the fender. This way it would reinforce the main tube. Pretty much the same idea you used down by the rocker panel.

 

[93yotasr5]

Sick rig, and the additional armor looks great!

 

[scrowley]

"Finished up the driver's front this afternoon. Everything except the one piece I want to add going from end of bumper wing up to the straight section of new tube."

With a sweet tube bender, I would suggest that you run another tube up from the top of the bumper edge closest to the tire, up to the main tube going back to the sliders. You could get all fancy and have it follow the same curve as the fender. This way it would reinforce the main tube. Pretty much the same idea you used down by the rocker panel.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Wow You didnt waste anytime, looks great

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[scrowley]

Sick rig, and the additional armor looks great!

Thanks!

Very good! How's the other side lookin???

Thanks! Got the other side almost done this afternoon/evening

Wow You didnt waste anytime, looks great

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Thanks! I get consumed with projects. ....Addicted

Here are some pics from today. I finished up about 90%. I ran out of weld wire unfortunatly. I will finish welding it on tomorrow and paint. Came out decently close to the drivers side. Didn't help I mounted the pass side slider 1" back (towards the rear) than the driv.

 

[akarilo]

Nice job.

 

[1973Guppie]

I like it. I want to have something like this done someday for the front and rear of my 80. Do you plan to make some rear tubes as well?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Dont beat yourself up if both side are not perfect. You cant see both sides at the same time

 

[scrowley]

I like it. I want to have something like this done someday for the front and rear of my 80. Do you plan to make some rear tubes as well?

I do plan on the rear. I never had any damage on the front. I started on the front knowing it was going to be easier. I am gald because I needed the practice bending the arches.

Dont beat yourself up if both side are not perfect. You cant see both sides at the same time

Yeah. I hear you. It just made it a little tuff because I couldn't use any of the templated pieces I had from the driver's side.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Yeah. I hear you. It just made it a little tuff because I couldn't use any of the templated pieces I had from the driver's side.

If it was easy everyone would be doing it. Looks good on my screen throw some mud on it and it will look great.

 

[scrowley]

Picked up some more weld wire this morning and finished up the pass side this afternoon. Then painted it up.

Overall the front took me 22 hrs. I'm not a metal worker by trade and have no idea if that a long time or not. I am going to take a little break until I get to the rear. Time to spend some time with my son, lady and family for the holiday.

Here are a couple finish shots from today. Hopefully get an outdoor pic tomorrow for reference. Hope to have some dirt on that new paint soon.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

 

[bhmmapping]

Great job, 22 hours doesn't sound out of line at all to me. How did you get the large radius bends around the wheel well so smooth with the jd2?