nope. your skinny jeans would still get stuck .because you suck .Hey then maybe I could just float over the sand instead of....
CK5
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TnA's 86 Jimmy Shop Build / Product Development Thread - (Trailing Arms?!?!)
- Thread starter CFMi
- Start date
Well, I unbolted the winch cradle... decided that more of a real bumper "look" needs to be designed for it sooner than later...
I also noticed that there is a neat way I can make a bumper bracket to catch an additional two holes where the factory outer support bolted up, I just need to move the bracket to the inside of the frame rail. Here's the process so far:
Step 1. Remove the existing brackets from the frame rail:
Step 2. After quite a few careful measurements, and quite a bit of time drawing on the computer, I designed the first piece of a bracket:
Step 3. Then I printed it out full-size on some paper:
Step 4. Cut it out, and tape the pieces together, getting them as accurate as possible:
Step 5. Placed it on the frame rail, and lined up my primary hole, then shine a light on it from behind. Now I can see where every hole is in the frame, and adjust each one where it needs to be. Also, can check for clearances from the rivets and other items that might be in the way.
Step 6. Repeat the adjust / print / cut / tape / check procedure until it is as close to perfect as can be... (no need to give you a pic for that!)
Step 7. Save everything in the computer, and get ready to design the next piece! ...More tomorrow!
-Darren
I also noticed that there is a neat way I can make a bumper bracket to catch an additional two holes where the factory outer support bolted up, I just need to move the bracket to the inside of the frame rail. Here's the process so far:
Step 1. Remove the existing brackets from the frame rail:
Step 2. After quite a few careful measurements, and quite a bit of time drawing on the computer, I designed the first piece of a bracket:
Step 3. Then I printed it out full-size on some paper:
Step 4. Cut it out, and tape the pieces together, getting them as accurate as possible:
Step 5. Placed it on the frame rail, and lined up my primary hole, then shine a light on it from behind. Now I can see where every hole is in the frame, and adjust each one where it needs to be. Also, can check for clearances from the rivets and other items that might be in the way.
Step 6. Repeat the adjust / print / cut / tape / check procedure until it is as close to perfect as can be... (no need to give you a pic for that!)
Step 7. Save everything in the computer, and get ready to design the next piece! ...More tomorrow!
-Darren
I love solid works. I can't wait to get my computer built 
I love solid works. I can't wait to get my computer built
Me too!! I've used many different 3D Solid Modeling programs over the years, and since I only use them occasionally, I love the simplicity and logical process of developing in Solidworks.
Okay, one more pic of progress before I leave the shop tonight (I've officially been here way too long today)...
Once I got the side plates so they line up really well, and all the bolt holes pretty damn close also, then I went on to design some other plates that will make up the rest of the frame brackets. Then the bolt-in winch mounting plate too, but that isn't done yet. I've got what I think is a really cool concept here, so bear with me as it takes shape
-Darren
Once I got the side plates so they line up really well, and all the bolt holes pretty damn close also, then I went on to design some other plates that will make up the rest of the frame brackets. Then the bolt-in winch mounting plate too, but that isn't done yet. I've got what I think is a really cool concept here, so bear with me as it takes shape
-Darren
Just got my degree in it
Keep up the good work man. I'm really diggin your ideas.
Awesome!!!! ...and Thanks!!
Well, this morning I made some final adjustments to the "K5 Modular Bumper", and added a few bolts and nuts to the drawing just for show. Then I did a quick render of it so far...
And now.... I'll make a bunch of DXF files from the individual plates, and then it's off to the plasma table.
-Darren
And now.... I'll make a bunch of DXF files from the individual plates, and then it's off to the plasma table.
-Darren
Envious... Looks good man.
Very cool. I'm interested to see what you do with this.
Well, I ended up having a really vulgar "argument" with my plasma table today. These are probably some of the worst quality parts that have come off the table to date. I ended up going through over $100 in consumables and I'm pretty fed up with it right now. After searching online on numerous forums, I'm finding a bunch of others with similar problems that are using the same cutter I am - it seems the company has been bought out and the consumables are coming through machined extremely poorly. The air gets all jumbled in them even when brand new and they won't cut straight. Seriously P@SSED OFF about it right now. Thankfully these are only prototypes and not a customer's end-product!
Anyways, here are some pics...
1. These are how they came off the table:
2. After cleanup with some hand tools, and a flap disc in a grinder:
3. After some time with the welder:
They are all cooling now, and then it'll be time for a test fit on the K5 (still nameless, she is...)
-Darren
Anyways, here are some pics...
1. These are how they came off the table:
2. After cleanup with some hand tools, and a flap disc in a grinder:
3. After some time with the welder:
They are all cooling now, and then it'll be time for a test fit on the K5 (still nameless, she is...)
-Darren
They still look pretty good. Even for a messed up cutter.
Did you get my pm?
Did you get my pm?
this better not look good, if you make me regret buying one of the early winch cradles so you could come out with something cooler, i'll be very bitter. might even have to buy a second truck just to have to mount it on!
I did get the PM, I'll get back to you after I finish fooling around here at the shop today
The parts only look OK to me. I've just spent some time on some CNC forums, and found both a temporary solution and a more permanent solution for the cut quality issue (permanent = new cutter from another company = $$$$ that I don't have right now)Lol, well then you could have a light trail use/daily driver AND a hard core trail rig!!!
-Darren
That's the plan.I did get the PM, I'll get back to you after I finish fooling around here at the shop today
Lol, well then you could have a light trail use/daily driver AND a hard core trail rig!!!
-Darren
Shhh
Actually just thinking of that. You should make a bolt on skid plate for the blazer fuel tank
the 2 I've had didn't?They dont all come with those?
I mean a real skid plate not a sheetmetal pan either. like something where it wouldn't be necessary to relocate/raise tank before going tail draggin thru a rock garden.
Defnitely on the list! I need one too! The factory one is still on her, but it looks pretty dinky compared to a large-sized rock!
-Darren
Well, it all bolted up very easily, except that I ran out of some washers and nuts, but other than that it went as planned...
I really like how it fits on there and bolts together. It clears that little Smittybilt winch easily, which was expected since it was designed for up to a 12k winch, including the Warn Powerplant winches
.
I really HATE how far it sticks out though when viewed from the side. Imagine a "shell" of a bumper surrounding the winch and it starts to look like the truck has a fat lower lip! I cannot get it any tighter though without having to cut the radiator support out, or put the winch back up underneath (hence the original winch cradle design!).
Maybe it will look better once I get the "shell" designed, I dunno. I'll keep at it for now. Thoughts??
-Darren
I really like how it fits on there and bolts together. It clears that little Smittybilt winch easily, which was expected since it was designed for up to a 12k winch, including the Warn Powerplant winches
.I really HATE how far it sticks out though when viewed from the side. Imagine a "shell" of a bumper surrounding the winch and it starts to look like the truck has a fat lower lip! I cannot get it any tighter though without having to cut the radiator support out, or put the winch back up underneath (hence the original winch cradle design!).
Maybe it will look better once I get the "shell" designed, I dunno. I'll keep at it for now. Thoughts??
-Darren
