What did you do on your 70 series today? (23 Viewers)

[ofer bruhis]

6061-T6 seems like a very capable alloy and temper for this application. That could have been a significant driver in cost. It is my understanding that Aluminum production is primarily domestic, so I am confused by the tariff reference.

Will the aluminum receive beading to mirror to the corrugations in the floor to increase the surface contact for heat transfer?

I will leave it flat. There are 3 layers of insulation (sound and heat). I’m not worried about heat transfer and not planning heated floors.

There is an Espar hydronic heater. A small computer fan/radiator is in the back hooked to a thermostat heating the cab at night.

 

[ofer bruhis]

View attachment 3989429

I got to use my spare.

Wait… treading light????

 

[TreadingLight]

I was definitely not treading light that day. I had food, water, shelter and gear for a few people to be off-grid for a stretch and was definitely carrying a heavy load, and doing so on a curvy mountain road.

I don't know what pressure that tire was at. I had buried my tire tools under the rest of the gear and then the kid at the first gas station couldn't figure out how to turn on their air. I resolved to check the tires at the next stop.

I didn't make it that far.

That tire failed from heat. Not sure why though. Maybe it was low from the start. Maybe I picked up a nail. Maybe Coopers explode at middle-age.

When i did unload my gear and check my tire pressure on the side of the road, the others were at 35. I inflated all 4 to 50psi and didn't have any other problems.

 

[TreadingLight]

Spent $200 on an aluminum 6061-T6 2mm thick. Tariffs!!! Will go under the marine vinyl floor since the truck has corrugated floors. Probable bedline it on both sides.

Do you have just the one sheet running between the wheel wells or are you running it up to the walls and cutting out the wheel wells?

I'm still thinking about what I'd like to do with my floors.

 

[LDowney]

Unfortunately we import a large quantity of aluminum, most domestic production is just recycling. Around half of our aluminum consumption is imported.

Thanks for feedback which prompted me to check on the US data

https://www.aluminum.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/FactSheet2018.pdf

As of 2018, US aluminum follows

30% is from US production​

30% is imported​

40% is from recycling ( => 30% + 40% = 70% is US production)​

where total US of Aluminum​

41.6% is consumed in sheet forms​

30.2% is consumed in other milled forms​

28.2% is consumed in ingot form​

However, the devil is in the details. The 2018 report to decern the details especially relative to aerospace grade products. However, it indicates that

​

US imports of ingots and scrap = 4,801.5 million lbs (57.2% of total imported)​

​

So it appears that the majority of imports are raw material that is milled into useable products here rather than imported as a finished product.

Since 6061-T6 is primarily an aerospace grade of aluminum sheet and subject to associated quality inspection/assurance/traceability requirements, it is very likely a much smaller segment of the imported is aerospace sheet material but the data is not there to . This is probably why it was always reported at work that US aluminum is used in the production of US aircraft is a US product, not imported.

My take away is the picture is more complex that I appreciated, but it is very likely that aerospace aluminum are primarily US milled that may incorporate imported aluminum. Projection of tariffs versus inflation versus supply limitations (feeding a growing economy) ... as leading to the cost appears to be a reach. But the link to the data is included, so we all can review and assess.

 

[ofer bruhis]

Do you have just the one sheet running between the wheel wells or are you running it up to the walls and cutting out the wheel wells?

I'm still thinking about what I'd like to do with my floors.

It is 32" wide. I don't need any metal under the cabinets. The build will be similar to my 80. All metal construction. Frames are 1/2" square steel. Cheap and light. All you need is a welder and a grinder to hide your ugly welds. Galley on the right side and a bench/storage on the left that opens to a bed so 4 people can sleep inside. The reason for the aluminum sheet, I like to have the floor flat and not wavy. Wife architect... First 2 photos are our 80.

 

[svsisu]

It is 32" wide. I don't need any metal under the cabinets. The build will be similar to my 80. All metal construction. Frames are 1/2" square steel. Cheap and light. All you need is a welder and a grinder to hide your ugly welds. Galley on the right side and a bench/storage on the left that opens to a bed so 4 people can sleep inside. The reason for the aluminum sheet, I like to have the floor flat and not wavy. Wife architect... First 2 photos are our 80.

View attachment 3989644View attachment 3989646View attachment 3989647View attachment 3989648

Ofer, how high is the bench in the 80, and how thick are the cushions? Thanks

 

[ofer bruhis]

Ofer, how high is the bench in the 80, and how thick are the cushions? Thanks

I have not started the bench just the wheel well part. I'm thinking 10.5"-12" high + 2" cushions. The cushions are custom made with 18 oz gray cotton canvas with hard foam. I'll have seat covers made from this material as well and a dash cover.

The 80 is 10.5+2 but the troopy has more head room so I’m debating.

 

[CRZR45]

Got a bath after my last Rubicon trip of the summer.

 

[ofer bruhis]

Thanks to @orikawa I have the door cards installed. Thank you Spencer. Love the way it looks. Now I have CarPlay® so can listen to podcasts while working.

 

[Trustyrusty]

Got this beauty installed. It's the little things.

 

[ofer bruhis]

Been building brackets for the electrical parts. 3KW inverter goes behind the galley.
Had to ‘notch’ some metal in the inner well.

 

[horzepower]

..3 excruciating months passed, bodyworks seems almost there...hopefully still has the stamina and $..lol

 

[Bogan]

Been a while! Life's been busy, but last week I took my buddy Miguel out across Utah and Nevada into the Lost Sierra in the Troopcarrier. 2,600 miles round trip. Zero issues. Unless you could third gear, 45 mph up all those Basin and Range mountain passes an issue!

 

[JDM Journeys]

Gullwing done!

 

[Tanner H]

Just made this my wallpaper at work. so rad.

View attachment 3992490

 

[ofer bruhis]

finally found time to finish the frame of the gully. Next it welding sheet metal, and ordering the 0.080" aluminum panels for all the doors. All piano wire hinges have #4-40 threaded holes in the frame. Size of the door panels is written on the frame in mm. The tabs in the openings are for locking the doors with magnets. Hope that works to avoid installing latches. The far bottom has a 110V electrical box. I need to weld one across in the front section as well. Total cost of material $130 and a few hours of work .

Frame weights 43lb. Sheet metal about 30lb and counter top 30lb. With the drawers and sink painted I am estimating 130lb. Fridge is 55lb. My goal is to get less the 200 lb when it's all done and powder coated inside the rig.

 

[Guyute]

6 full days since a WDYD post? I'll go.

Just DD this thing sans FRP while we still have sun.

half doors made a big difference in exhaust smells. Still get all the other outside smells but less my exhaust smells.

 

[FJ73Texas]

Never thought I would do this but..... life is too short

 

[Guyute]

Nice! More pictures immediately, please!