makovai
1/2 ton status
according to solidworks mass properties, with all the mounting hardware it weighs 38lbs.
CK5
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new grill concept
- Thread starter makovai
- Start date
What about aluminum?? The thickness of those ribs looks to be maybe 1/8" (?) so it would probably be rigid enough to maintain it's shape....and you'd save a decent amount of weight methinks... 
Ultimately, I'd just powdercoat/paint mine to look "factory" so it wouldn't really matter what the material was (as long as it wasn't plastic).... Oh, and I'm still going to campaign for the '69-'70 version when you get this one perfected!!!
Ultimately, I'd just powdercoat/paint mine to look "factory" so it wouldn't really matter what the material was (as long as it wasn't plastic).... Oh, and I'm still going to campaign for the '69-'70 version when you get this one perfected!!!
makovai
1/2 ton status
Originally i drew this up to be made from 1/8" aluminum.
2 problems:
1) the original grill has .200 webs so i went to 3/16" to get it to look closer to original
2) i cant tig weld, so i need steel so i can weld it.
I will run the stats through solidworks and see how much lighter aluminum is.
2 problems:
1) the original grill has .200 webs so i went to 3/16" to get it to look closer to original
2) i cant tig weld, so i need steel so i can weld it.
I will run the stats through solidworks and see how much lighter aluminum is.
gaspass
1/2 ton status
ss grille
Hey, that's awsome! Depending on cost I'd like one too. I've had 3 different plastic ones since 2001 and all have broken. For the price of 3 plastic ones I'd pay for a good ss or alum. one. I've seen some on Ebay, but they don't look stock, and I like the stock look.
Hey, that's awsome! Depending on cost I'd like one too. I've had 3 different plastic ones since 2001 and all have broken. For the price of 3 plastic ones I'd pay for a good ss or alum. one. I've seen some on Ebay, but they don't look stock, and I like the stock look.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Ship them as a kit for those that can!
Actually, you can MIG weld aluminum with 100% Argon and the right wire. It's not pretty, but I've done it sucessfully... and as was mentioned a "kit" would probably make more sense anyway. A LOT less bulky to ship these parts disassembled, and simpler for the manufacturer (aka: you)
Post up when you know the weight of the aluminum version, it would be an interesting comparison. I'm sure I could probably extrapolate it myself knowing what the steel one weighs....but I'm too busy (lazy) right now.
makovai
1/2 ton status
13lbs in aluminum.....according to solidworks
Burt4x4
1 Ton First Gen
SEX-EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
That is forkin cool!
That is forkin cool!
SEX-EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
That is forkin cool!
No other way to say it!
Great option to those plastic pieces of crap that are currently being made repro.
Nice work.
makovai
1/2 ton status
welli went to mount it this weekend and realised the new grill was about 1/8" on both ends too long. I remembered i had an old grill that was all hacked up for a tube grill. (i bought the truck with this grill in it).
I have made all the changes to the cad file and will cut another next week, but heres kinda what it will look like:
I have made all the changes to the cad file and will cut another next week, but heres kinda what it will look like:
Wow - that looks great! We need to make a stainless one!
WOW!! that is WAAYYYY COOL. Allright, When you gonna go into production??? I have a 91' front clip on my 73'. Are you going to actually start manufacturing them for other years?? Great job man, I'm VERY impressed. The demand is there brother. I would buy one.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Does it mount the same way as the stock plastic ones do?
makovai
1/2 ton status
Ok....im done with this until i cut the correct one.
Please just look at the grill. My bumper is dangling with 2 bolts and no nuts. Things are really crooked. but i think you get the idea.
My big concern area was the hood realease area.....that actually came out excellent. I just need to shorten the grill and it should be good to go.
Please just look at the grill. My bumper is dangling with 2 bolts and no nuts. Things are really crooked. but i think you get the idea.
My big concern area was the hood realease area.....that actually came out excellent. I just need to shorten the grill and it should be good to go.
Last edited:
Ok....im done with this until i cut the correct one.
Please just look at the grill. My bumper is dangling with 2 bolts and no nuts. Things are really crooked. but i think you get the idea.
My big concern area was the hood realease area.....that actually came out excellent. I just need to shorten the grill and it should be good to go.
Looks great! see post 32...
makovai
1/2 ton status
Well, it would be like making a reapir manual. First they buy the rig then tear into a billion pieces, then put it back together.
This wasn't quite as ez as i made it sound. Even owning the rig, i have quite a few hours on this grill reverse engineering it. I highly doubt i will make any other years.
Sorry, I just dont have the time or the rig to do it.
like your idea, I am planning on just making an expanded metal grill mostly for radiator protection in case of winch line failure
bigbadchev84
1/2 ton status
Really good idea and it looks awesome. How do you like those headlights?
makovai
1/2 ton status
they suck. Ebay POS. They are made of thin plastic and the lil blue lights dont fit because of the headlight buckets behind.
makovai
1/2 ton status
pulled it back out and painted it with that crummy chrome paint.....I think you get the idea though.
