'74 K5 build: Smurf

[ashman]

I like the design. Only criticism I have would be the extra tail/signal lights. I think it would look better if those were built into the drop portion of the tire carrier. It's a pretty minor issue, all things considered though.

Looks good.

 

[dremu]

Yeah, the light bar is kinda haphazardly stuck on there ... and hmm, yeah, spose I could done one as a crossbar to the centerpiece. The aluminum one (also a Ruffstuff piece, btw) is so purty though.

There's a joke somewhere about me not wanting to reinvent the wheel, or tire carrier as the case may be

-- A

 

[runamok151]

Nice redesign. Do those wings hold the tire carrier up or does it have it's own separate release?

 

[dremu]

Nice redesign. Do those wings hold the tire carrier up or does it have it's own separate release?

The wings hold it up when they're in place, nice and solid. Due to the weight, it takes two people to raise and lower the center, so there's no other release for it. If I don't have a helper handy, I string out the winch rope and use it to raise/lower the center section.

-- A

 

[ashman]

Due to the weight, it takes two people to raise and lower the center, so there's no other release for it. If I don't have a helper handy, I string out the winch rope and use it to raise/lower the center section.
-- A

 

[dremu]

That'd work for lowering, but then would make the raising even more exciting. And that's the direction that's hardest on my back -- in a pinch, lowering is, you know, gravity-assisted

I fiddled with a spring assist but it would have required even more fab work. Or I could have replaced the whole bumper with one of Kert's, which are really sexy but kinda spendy. I figure this does what I need it to and is damn simple. (Worst case if the battery or the winch go out, I can use a ratchet strap for lifting. Love me the big ratchet straps.)

-- A

 

[runamok151]

1 or 2 linear activators could work. Put a tube across the carrier under the tire and attach one in the middle between the tube and the bumper or put an actuator on each side where the tire carrier arms starts to angle out from the pivot point. Put a toggle reverse somewhere on the carrier behind the light bar or just inside the back window. No more sore back.

They're not that expensive. You could hook one up for about $200. Biggest thing would be to figure out your geometry, length of pull and loads.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_lawn-garden+electric-actuators

 

[ashman]

Don't they make struts like that that are pull type? Or maybe that you could mount a little lower than your pivot point so that they are pushing it up?

Just thinking that it sucks that changing a spare is a 2 man job...

 

[Big Ray]

And finally, proof that they do indeed work. I think the larger disc actually makes it easier to turn than the original dial, at least for my fat fingers.

Absolutely ingenious!!

 

[dremu]

I was deeply saddened the other day when I discovered I hadn't driven the Blazer in months, with other projects blocking her in and the weather being too hot and other excuses in the way.

So I unplugged the trickle charger, turned the key, and she started right up, like a happy puppy. No waving of dead chickens or chanting in Latin, just pulled out of the shop and chugged off on my errands.

TBI is dark, dark magic, but it's very powerful magic indeed.

-- A

 

[Bent77]

I was deeply saddened the other day when I discovered I hadn't driven the Blazer in months, with other projects blocking her in and the weather being too hot and other excuses in the way.

So I unplugged the trickle charger, turned the key, and she started right up, like a happy puppy. No waving of dead chickens or chanting in Latin, just pulled out of the shop and chugged off on my errands.

TBI is dark, dark magic, but it's very powerful magic indeed.

-- A

 

[imiceman44]

This shock is what you need.
I have a similar one on the tilt front end on my new big rig, i can raise it with one hand and lowering it is nice and slow.
It's both a helper spring and a shock to slow down the lowering

 

[dremu]

This shock is what you need.
I have a similar one on the tilt front end on my new big rig, i can raise it with one hand and lowering it is nice and slow.
It's both a helper spring and a shock to slow down the lowering

Umm, is there supposed to be a link there?

-- A

 

[Bent77]

 

[dremu]

View attachment 249481

Clean air, a virgin and a gas station open on Sunday. (Three things you won't find in Los Angeles.)

Deep freeze. (An Eskimo porno film.)

Peter Pan. (What do you use to fry a Peter?)

 

[Bent77]

 

[imiceman44]

Umm, is there supposed to be a link there?

-- A

I was referring to the already talked about shock above

 

[dremu]

I was referring to the already talked about shock above

The "Stabilus" thing, got it. I'll Google 'em, see what I can find.

-- A

 

[bmxbryant9]

Wheeling this spring/summer?

 

[imiceman44]

Wheeling this spring/summer?

I think he enjoys his backyard these days with his mini equipment.
Maybe I can swing by next week and poke him, maybe ride his mini humvee