Builds SLOW 71 (7 Viewers)

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Gave this some more thought and I do want to keep the factory look bumper. Decided to just run a horizontal stiffener down the middle and call it good. You guys always make me rethink things and that's what I want. If I smack a tree then the bumper should fold, but just a bump it should be able to handle it. I want to be able to stand on it and not bend.

NikP and J Mack, thanks guys for thinking about this and keeping me straight.
 
scrapdaddy said:
Decided to just run a horizontal stiffener down the middle and call it good.
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Sounds like a good plan, I just reread my post and I wasn’t clear on “bent frame” with thick steel welded bumpers.

What happens with the heavy tube bumpers in a minor impact is they will cause the frame to diamond as opposed to absorbing the impact, the longer the bumper the more leverage it has so the higher potential to diamond the frame. If you look at a 55’s cross members you can see it won’t take much of an impact to cause “diamond” frame damage.



frame_damage_diamond.jpg
 
Ok, now I'm wondering what happens when you have an impact to a front tire, instead of a bumper? I guess hard enough and it's all going down.
 
scrapdaddy said:
Ok, now I'm wondering what happens when you have an impact to a front tire, instead of a bumper? I guess hard enough and it's all going down.
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Suspension is designed to absorb impact, the factories have a good idea of the loads a frame is likely to see and design accordingly.
scrapdaddy said:
What I want to do is reinforce the bumper with 1/4 plate welded in behind and then another horizontal piece welded at a right angle, midway
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The factories design the bumpers to also absorb impact and don’t assume that guys will build ¼” to 3/8” thick plate full width bumpers, a friend had a Chevy truck that doglegged down the road after a minor impact with another car, he had a 3/8” plate C-channel front bumper and the truck appeared to be undamaged and the bumper only had a slight bend, the problem was that the bumper transferred more load to the frame than it was intended to absorb and it bent “diamond” about an inch or so.

Like Lil’John is saying if you’re going to build a battering ram for the front of your vehicle you better incorporate some triangulation into your frame design.
 
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Worked a little this afternoon and got the other recovery point mounted. I like it! Will be a good place to hang the leader chain on the winch. I'm using wire cable and a chain leader for the winch and really freak you guys out. :)

With the Slow 71 I'm trying to keep the outward look of being a stock wagon from the 70s with a few modern upgrades along the way. Learning a lot from all of this and appreciate everything you guys have brought up. If I get off my buff and buy a tube bender, I'll start on the grille guard.

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Lil' John,

I'm guessing you mean, why the remote versus a reservoir attached to the shock, well for me, I wanted to get the reservoir tucked up out of the way of flying debris. I was successful on the rears, but couldn't come up with a good spot for the fronts without cutting into the fenders. They are definitely overkill for my wagon, but better is better! I should never have a over heated shock, that's for sure.
 
I wanted a shock that could be rebuilt with different valving if needed. I'm not sure how it's going to ride until I get it loaded and go. I've had other shocks that leaked way too early and wanted to step up to a better shock. The remote was just added insurance.
 
The reservoir separates the nitrogen and oil with a plunger, without the reservoir it would be an emulsion shock, King emulsion shocks offer no advantage to a Monroe emulsion shock.

If you’re going to spend the money for the King sticker on the side of your shocks spend the $49.00 for the reservoir upgrade;)
 
See, I knew there was a reason I went with the remotes. :) I really like the fact you can rebuild them and change how they react.
 
I would assume that you need that shock style because you WILL be cycling the shocks, a lot!
Most malls and grocery store parking lots have speed bumps installed at regular intervals:D
 
One other thing to consider for remote reservoir aspect of a shock choice; if it's not an emulsion shock, and lacks a remote reservoir the overall length will have to be longer to account for an internal floating piston. That means shorter travel for same overall length...
 
Well, I went and signed up for CruiseMoab in May. That's @1200 miles one way, so the cup holders better be right. You all know how much my Wife wants to travel and told me today, if the 55 isn't ready she's going in her Focus! So the pressure is on. Bumpers, skidplate, and a lot of little things, should make it.

Departing May 2nd, let the count down begin!

EDIT... I forgot to add, she ordered Coco Mats for the front, you know it's happening now. :)
 
Im excited for you! Cant wait for my project to get to that point! Will be nice to enjoy what you've worked long and hard on.
 
Thanks Man,

I picked three easy trails to go on, just want to get a feel for everything before I hit the mall parking lot. :) Should be a lot of fun.
 
scrapdaddy said:
Well, I went and signed up for CruiseMoab in May.
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We’re looking at it now, thinking about the San Rafael Swell (Overnight) trip with Kurt from Cruiser Outfitters, looks like that trail is station wagon friendly. Hope we make it and see you there..



FYI: don’t forget to check the lug nuts before you start your journey!!!
 
Jim,

Some of those trips are filling up fast. That would be great if you made it out there.

J Mack said:
FYI: don’t forget to check the lug nuts before you start your journey
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:) Believe me, I'm triple checking everything and still finding things! I thought the fittings on the power steering box was leaking, turned out it was the pump reservoir right above it. The center plug wasn't tightened. So yeah, I told my Wife she might be flying home.
 
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