Rear bumper wings

[PIG PUNISHER]

So I decided it was time to start building my rear bumper wings. This is going to be a kinda slow process and I’ll try to keep this thread updated as I make progress. Let me know what you guys think.

This was the CAD version. Cardboard aided design.

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

I then built the other side using the cardboard as a guide.

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

Still needs a lot of finishing touches and more gussets and welding done. I do plan to add swingouts.

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

It’s not sitting perfectly in its final resting place in these pics. The open spot I’ll be filled as soon as I figure out my tire swing out configuration. I know it looks a little droopy in these pics but the bolts aren’t fully tightened. It was 3am when I took this

 

[tacocat]

That top and inner plate are #THICKE. What are using as to weld it together?

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

The main structural components are 3/8 6061 T6 aluminum. The plating is 1/4”. Using a Hobart handler 190 with a spool gun. Those top plate are where the spindle will reside and I will add additional structure there.

 

[YoterGuy]

Nice work! Keep the pics coming

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

Nice work! Keep the pics coming

Thanks. When you gonna get that 40 put together?

 

[YoterGuy]

Maybe never . Worked on taking apart a slightly better top today. It’s so far from being done It’s hard to concentrate on one area

 

[LINUS]

I’m curious as to your use of AL.

Not a hater, but steel esp for a wing/spindle/arm seems odd.

Are you going to lathe/CNC some AL spindles to weld into the AL in use - or do you know of some already?

I’m really not a hater....I’ve posted my Miller 350 with a push-pull squirter & my Wooldridge boat is a AL welded tub with a LS3. I get using popcans, 100%.


.....But I‘d love to know if AL spindles are making an appearance, I’ve never heard of them in our sizes.

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

I’m curious as to your use of AL.

Not a hater, but steel esp for a wing/spindle/arm seems odd.

Are you going to lathe/CNC some AL spindles to weld into the AL in use - or do you know of some already?

I’m really not a hater....I’ve posted my Miller 350 with a push-pull squirter & my Wooldridge boat is a AL welded tub with a LS3. I get using popcans, 100%.


.....But I‘d love to know if AL spindles are making an appearance, I’ve never heard of them in our sizes.

I used aluminum for the simple fact that it is easy to cut, fit, weld and so on as I do not have torches or a plasma cutter. I plan to use a 1 1/4” bolt on trailer spindle. I am having thoughts now of building an aluminum hinge and not using a spindle at all. Decisions decisions.

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

Got a little more done. I was struggling with a way to add a steel spindle to the aluminum structure. I had a few ideas that would’ve worked but would have been labor intensive. I decided to use a 1 1/4” galvanized bolt for the “spindle”. The two top nuts are sleeves in an aluminum tube which is then sleeved with a larger aluminum tube that the swingouts will weld to.

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

All of the holes you see in the outer sleeve were then plug welded and ground somewhat smooth I then drilled holes in the wing for the bolt to pass through ignore the messy work area

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

Got everything mounted up and started building the swingout arms. The left side will be tire carrier and hi lift and the rights side for a cooler or Jerry cans.

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

last picture for now. This is as far as I have gotten. Wife and 4 kids keeps me busy. This has been a late night project over the course of three nights.

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

Question for you guys about the toggle latch. I have ordered a 2000lb stainless toggle latch. I plan to attach it to the aluminum with stainless riv nuts. Do I need to attach the latch from the swing arm to the factory cross member or can I just attach the two swingarms together?
Edit: the two arms will rest on plates underneath and there will be a stop behind them. They will not be freely suspended as they are now.

 

[sxp]

I can't help you with the latch question, but I would add a plate that spans from the top of each wing all the way across to the other to tie them together. It would still be a bolt on affair, but would help prevent any flex. Flex is bad for latches, swing arms, and spindles.

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

I am thinking I will tie the two sides together but maybe underneath from the inside. We shall see.

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

Got some more done and ther is a little more flex than I would like but I will address that with more gussets and reinforcement

 

[PIG PUNISHER]

There will be more plating added to the tire carrier and I think it will be much better. It’s definitely getting there