TnA's 86 Jimmy Shop Build / Product Development Thread - (Trailing Arms?!?!)

[Richcz28]

I can't wait to see the full design I may talk myself into one. I definitely want to see some additional bracing to the frame for the wings and fenders cut off clear to the wheel wells on the high clearance version for k5s.

 

[swettysblazer]

I'm already talked in

 

[82355]

If you went a little higher with the receiver tube, you could come out a couple inches more, and then have the pin go through on the outside of the bumper.

Oh, and definitely have a hole for a seven pin connector (or better yet a dual pin out one with the 7 pin and the 4 pin flat.

Martin

 

[Richcz28]

If you went a little higher with the receiver tube, you could come out a couple inches more, and then have the pin go through on the outside of the bumper.

Oh, and definitely have a hole for a seven pin connector (or better yet a dual pin out one with the 7 pin and the 4 pin flat.

Martin

I'll have to check, but I think my current wiring has both 7 and 4 in the same housing but is designed for a 7 hole mount. Right now it just floats in between the gas tank and bumper without a mount.

 

[CFMi]

I can't wait to see the full design I may talk myself into one. I definitely want to see some additional bracing to the frame for the wings and fenders cut off clear to the wheel wells on the high clearance version for k5s.

Yeah, I'm already thinking the wings for this version will be braced back to the frame for sure. I'm not sure if I'm going to go with sheetmetal for the wings like the front setup or end up going tube yet though. Still going back and forth in my mind on that one. If I went tube, then you could cut the tube back to match your wheelwell opening a little easier than trimming a boxed sheetmetal design.
I'll keep thinking about it though.

I'm already talked in

Sweet!

If you went a little higher with the receiver tube, you could come out a couple inches more, and then have the pin go through on the outside of the bumper.

Oh, and definitely have a hole for a seven pin connector (or better yet a dual pin out one with the 7 pin and the 4 pin flat.

Martin

Hey Martin! I'm planning on adding the 7-pin hole in there, and thinking about supplying this with one of these (probably what Richcz28 has):

I didn't add the hole to the prototype yet because I didn't have dimensions and I was too excited to wait on making one, lol.

As far as moving things "up" and then bringing the receiver out, no can do. At least not easily. It's already so high that I just barely squeaked a bolt hole in there below the existing frame for the side wings to bolt on with. I think maybe there is a little illusion going on in the pics - that rear face that has the "TnA" logo cut into it isn't even big enough for a license plate to fit on! And I made a cut-out in the top plate so getting your hands in there to put the hitch pin in isn't really a problem. I'll get better pics tomorrow. I painted it "bumper black" today before I left the shop, so it'll go back on tomorrow all pretty-like. The only drawback to the hitch pin being inside the bumper is that you'll have to use one of those cylindrical locking types - I don't think a standard bent pin will work in there and still be able to get the spring clip on. I'm not sure though, haven't tried that yet.
I just used rattle-can primer and paint on this one this time, because I think I want to add some cut-outs for backup lights, and then maybe the 7-pin trailer connector. Who knows, maybe I'll come up with something else to add in there too. I'd love to get a set of those LED lights from Sidetracked but I can't afford them right now. I think they would be bad ass in there though.

-Darren

 

[Richcz28]

My aesthetics vote goes for plate wings.

 

[y5mgisi]

That looks really good bolted on there!

 

[Big Ray]

Dude.....when do you sleep?


awesome work...wish I had more $$$. I'd have a crossmember by now...

 

[LIVEAnimals]

Looks great

 

[CFMi]

My aesthetics vote goes for plate wings.

Good to know! Thank you

That looks really good bolted on there!

Thanks man!

Dude.....when do you sleep?


awesome work...wish I had more $$$. I'd have a crossmember by now...

Sleep??? What is this thing you speak of? Lol. J/K... I even make time for the girlfriend and even watching TV once in a while too!

Looks great

Thanks!!!



-Darren

 

[Smokinthehippies]

My aesthetics vote goes for plate wings.

i'm also gonna go with plate. if nothing else, just so it matches the front setup.
i'm also going to cut in the led pods like I did on the front (might have you do it so it is cleaner then me cutting it with a grinder)

I think by using plate on the wings, that will be another place where you can set this bumper apart. a design that comes far enough forward to actually be some protection on the bottom of the fender/tail light instead of stopping at the back of the body line.

how soon do you feel like making another one? I could maybe spring for one and mock up an example of what i'd like to see for the sides and send it back to you.

 

[Kay86K5]

My aesthetics vote goes for plate wings.

I think this would look cool, especially because when I look at smokinthehippies setup, I think it looks real good. But I think tube wings would look good too. I have an abomb from DIY4x on the front of mine that I built some tubes off of, and the look of a solid center section with tubes coming off and wrapping around the corners I think look really good. And, if you did that, it would match my front .

Looks good though dude. I guess we have to wait until after BB to see some more work on this huh?

 

[CFMi]

Quick Story:
So yesterday I ran over to Harbor Freight (I know I shouldn't but it's just down the street), because they have a "weld-in receiver tube". I was planning on making the rear bumper, so I needed something local. It was cheap. It came powdercoated. WTH??? Why would you powdercoat something that is a "weld-in" piece? Oh well, I thought. I'll just grind off the powdercoat. So I bought it and ground off where I was going to weld, and I welded the hell out of it into the bumper. Everything fit good last night, so I painted it too. Yay me.
I guess I should have test fit a 2" hitch in there first. But why would I, I mean that was what it was made for, right?
So this morning, I happily bolted the bumper into place, and only got one little scratch on it in the process, not too bad, considering how much of a pain in the @ss the springs for the tailgate are, lol. It looks good. I was happy. I grabbed my trusty adjustable hitch and went to put it in. I was NOT happy. It didn't fit. Like at all. Are you kidding me?!?!??!?!
SO I spent the last hour or more with a die grinder cleaning out the welded seam that they left in there, and also grinding a spot in the actual tube that was a high spot, keeping the hitch from going in. NOT something I should have to do. From now on, NO MORE HARBOR FREIGHT CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!! There is a good trailer place down the road about a half hour so I may go see if they have the Curt unpainted version of a weld-in receiver. Hopefully, because I'd rather give a local business the business. But if not, I guess I'll have to order online or direct in bulk. Damn. Lesson Learned on this one!


Anyways, here's some more pics for you all:

To my surprise, a standard old hitch pin fits easily in there, even with a long cottor pin!! That was a bit of good news I wasn't expecting!

Here you can see just how tight everything is to the factory frame horn:

Side bracket with the 5 bolts holding it in place, including the factory tailgate spring pin:

With the hitch in place, and some D-Shackles on it:

More to come soon!

-Darren

 

[y5mgisi]

That sucks! Looks good now though!

 

[CFMi]

Okay, one last new product before Blazer Bash... ...and one that is highly needed!!

-Darren

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Okay, one last new product before Blazer Bash... ...and one that is highly needed!!

-Darren

i'm betting that will be a big seller.

 

[CFMi]

All tacked together, ready for a trial fit. All I can say is holy crap, this thing is heavy! I opted for 1/4" plate on the underside of it and 3/16" for all the supporting members. Damn. It adds up fast! Lol.

-Darren

 

[6872xtc]

It is looking like I better plan on more weight on the rear of mine than I thought!!! I like what you are doing!!

 

[Deuling]

love it.

 

[muddysub]

All tacked together, ready for a trial fit. All I can say is holy crap, this thing is heavy! I opted for 1/4" plate on the underside of it and 3/16" for all the supporting members. Damn. It adds up fast! Lol.

-Darren

Dammit! my big ass truck is gonna need one of those! gimme some time on this one though, i'm sure it'll cost more than the shock mounts..