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80 series Land Cruiser Build & Shenanigans thread

Discussion in 'Other Toyota Vehicles' started by Kwikvette, Feb 5, 2022.

  1. Jun 10, 2022 at 6:54 PM
    #31
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Due to conflicting schedules with multiple friends, today's shakedown run didn't go as planned.

    Decided to take a moment to pull the rear bumper.

    Although it's a fairly simple job, like on any Toyota, the one thing that gave me anxiety was the mess of wires I was anticipating.

    I'll skip the in-between shots and just post the end result; yep wires galore!

    20220605_174628.jpg

    More wiring I still had to yank out.

    20220605_174641.jpg

    All naked in the rear.

    20220605_180245.jpg

    In case anyone was wondering, I pulled the factory bumper off cause I plan on making my own rear bumper.

    Here's what over 150lbs of steel looks like.

    20220610_145817.jpg

    20220610_150227.jpg

    All cut up in various lengths per my request, mainly cause I don't own a plasma cutter yet and didn't want to do long cuts myself.

    3', 5', and even 8' long sections, and it's all 3/16" so it'll be plenty strong.
     
    Bikeric, kmeeg and GrantA like this.
  2. Aug 3, 2022 at 10:02 PM
    #32
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Haven't made too much progress, on account that I've been really busy in prioritizing with other things.

    So, before I could get started I needed to get a rough idea for my dimensions.

    Enter CAD!

    Cardboard aided design :laughing:

    20220628_141440.jpg

    20220628_143743.jpg

    20220628_150726.jpg

    20220628_154858.jpg

    20220628_155656.jpg

    20220628_155843.jpg

    I do plan to fully wrap the sides of the bumper up to the rear of the tire, but I think it's best I focus more on that after I get the "base" done first.

    Got started with cutting down some of my 6' panels down to 45 15/16". One piece is 5 1/2" x 3/16" (rear face) and the second is 6" x 3/16" (top).

    20220801_130253.jpg

    At the same time, I removed these pieces which are my spare tire carrier...and some weird bar that's solid and heavy, but too thin to act like a crossmember brace.

    20220801_130244.jpg

    I will say, it did free up quite a bit of room underneath.

    20220801_130404.jpg

    I did this because I plan to integrate a tow hitch with my bumper. But for safety reasons, I need the space between the frame rails in order to reinforce the tow hitch and tie it all in.

    20220802_150029.jpg

    Just need to cut these down to size, and get 15 degree cuts on them. They're 2" square tubing by 3/16".

    20220803_140521.jpg

    Since I'm not a huge fan of the hitch sticking out of a custom bumper, much less sitting flush with the face of the bumper, I'm going to make a small cut out and have the area somewhat recessed. Need to take into account the stock crossmember as I'll be cutting into that too.

    20220802_154356 (1).jpg

    20220801_140646.jpg

    Shortly after, my weld-in anchor mounts arrived. They're freaking beefy!

    20220802_175018.jpg

    Just a quick mock-up, supervisor watching over me.

    20220802_121438.jpg

    And though it may seem like I've made some progress, these pictures were taken over the course of a couple of weeks. It wouldn't normally take me this long but I don't own a bandsaw or circular saw for cutting metal. I've yet to buy one as other things have been priority.

    I did start with cutting into the face of the rear bumper though, but that's because I've got my plasma cutter.

    20220803_161342.jpg
     
    DadOperator, kmeeg and Bikeric like this.
  3. Aug 4, 2022 at 2:23 AM
    #33
    Getuponit

    Getuponit New Member

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    @Kwikvette, really appreciate your hard work. Your determination has paid off - beautiful rig and thoughtful build. Much respect for those that make this work look easy. Thanks for taking the time to share.
     
    Kwikvette[OP] likes this.
  4. Aug 4, 2022 at 4:38 AM
    #34
    Antmart26

    Antmart26 New Member

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    Love this thread. Big ups man.
     
    Kwikvette[OP] likes this.
  5. Aug 4, 2022 at 12:05 PM
    #35
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Thank you guys for the kind words!

    Just got home to another package; this thing is beefy!

    4XInnovations swingout spindle kit.

    20220804_114509.jpg

    Issue is, I forgot to order a latch.

    I'll shop around for one I like I guess. More options depending how I'd like to lock it in place.
     
    hossler1788 likes this.
  6. Aug 6, 2022 at 5:22 PM
    #36
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Spent a few minutes on the bumper.

    Not doing any hard work on account that my back has been keeping me in bed lately.

    Took the pieces I cut and laid them out to verify lengths.

    That and marked all I'll have to cut from the crossmember.

    20220806_143210.jpg

    I had marked where I planned to put the recovery point so I thought I'd look to see where that falls with the face in place.

    The 5" by 6" plate clamped on the side needs to get 2 holes drilled out. Those will hold the assembly against the vehicle once the major parts are tacked together.

    Only thing is I lack a drill press and still need a saw.

    20220806_144113.jpg

    Also tacked these small pieces from some 1" wide stock I got. They're what's going to set back the hitch from the bumper as I don't want a flush look.

    The marked plate needs to have a 2 1/2" square cut out to act as the rear face behind and around the hitch.

    20220806_152636.jpg
     
    kmeeg likes this.
  7. Aug 6, 2022 at 9:55 PM
    #37
    Kyblack76

    Kyblack76 New Member

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    Bad ass. Killer work, and killer rig.
     
    Kwikvette[OP] likes this.
  8. Aug 6, 2022 at 10:13 PM
    #38
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Thanks!

    I just need to cut out a notch from my crossmember and weld up the hitch to the rear face.

    Once that's done, I can start tacking up the top with the rear face and the sides together. From there, it'll be easier to figure out how I'll do the sides now that my spindle is here.

    That and I can re-measure the length and angles needed for the square tubing I'll tie the hitch into.
     
  9. Aug 6, 2022 at 10:37 PM
    #39
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

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    Fun thread!! Thanks for posting updates!
     
    Kwikvette[OP] likes this.
  10. Aug 7, 2022 at 11:39 AM
    #40
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Thank you!

    Got a graduation party to go to a little later but thought I'd finish something today.

    I wasted way too much time on something that was an aesthetic thought; hoping it pays off once I have it all welded together later.

    I'm not fond of a large smooth surface, and wanted to break that up by having the hitch sit inward.

    With the need to cut a 2 1/2" square hole out of a 3 1/2" by 4" piece, I figured I'd use my Milwaukee mini cut-off tool instead of my plasma cutter or angle grinder.

    20220807_103501.jpg

    Came out better than I had hoped really.

    20220807_104047.jpg

    Next was ensuring all my pieces I've cut and tacked so far fit.

    So far so good.

    20220807_112003.jpg

    And this is what I meant about breaking up that smooth surface.

    20220807_112728.jpg

    It's super hot out so I'm not sure I'll do any real work today. That and the bending over is hurting my back.

    Until next time!
     
    Bikeric likes this.
  11. Aug 8, 2022 at 6:16 PM
    #41
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Glued some metal together.

    First, I put on that 1" all around spacer that's clamped in the picture above.

    20220808_164236.jpg

    Getting the face I cut out for the hitch was slightly difficult in ensuring I had it squared against the hitch. Though by putting it together, it's easier to gauge if it's square or not once on the bumper face.

    20220808_165555.jpg

    Once I was happy with how level and square it was in relation to the bumper, I burned it all together.

    20220808_171235.jpg

    Here's the end result.

    20220808_171421.jpg

    20220808_171502.jpg

    20220808_171621.jpg

    I may take a die grinder to the lip that sticks out just below the hitch, but painted black and having a swingout on it may just divert the eyes away from the hitch where you won't notice it anyway :notsure:
     
    DadOperator likes this.
  12. Aug 9, 2022 at 11:58 AM
    #42
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Well, this is what I get for saving $10.

    The hitch receiver I'm using was originally intended for the 4Runner I used to have. I thought nothing of the length and went with it.

    Today, I figured I'd do some drawing up (back's killing me) since I can do that at my bench.

    With the face done, it's easier to visualize what I want to do as far as support.

    20220809_093351.jpg

    Getting the right angle and measurements is important so I mocked up my frame rails; they're 2 1/8" wide rectangular tubing.

    20220809_105308.jpg

    For maintaining some structural integrity, I intended to use the inside bolt holes that were used for the spare tire carrier.

    Here's the issue, the closest bolt holes are located quite a bit off of where the square tubing support would land. This would mean, whatever plates I use between the frame rails would need to be at least 11 1/2" long.

    20220809_110444.jpg

    Makes no sense to use this method.

    I could do one of two things:

    1. continue with the above support tubing, and weld plates on the ends of them, and weld those to the inside of the frame rails

    2. run square tubing for the total width between the frame rails, weld plates on each end, and bolt those into place all while welding the end of the hitch to the newly formed crossmember

    I do like option 1, but that means I'll have to deal with more of a hassle with cutting stuff off that's close to the crossmember.
     
  13. Aug 16, 2022 at 7:51 PM
    #43
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Bumper build goes on long pauses on account of my personal health issues.

    If you take a close look at the open area around the hitch, I had some 'overlap' I wanted to get rid of. So I went out to HF and got myself a small die grinder.

    Die grinders are pretty basic, so I didn't care to get a nice one but figured the medium used was important so I got myself a Champion burr bit.

    20220812_134059.jpg

    20220812_134113.jpg

    Put it to work, and holy shit it made a difference...at least in my eyes.

    20220814_102425.jpg

    20220814_105356.jpg

    20220814_105455.jpg

    The next big step is to notch the crossmember, which I'm sure I mentioned, but won't be doing anytime soon yet. I do need to drill some plates as well as most of this needs to be a bolt-on application until it becomes permanent.

    For that, I got a drill press that I just picked up today.

    20220816_170600.jpg

    And the last of my goods needed for my swingout are here.

    20220816_192108.jpg
     
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  14. Aug 27, 2022 at 7:41 PM
    #44
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Buddy came by to hang out, which motivated me to get some stuff done.

    First things first, preparation.

    20220827_075701.jpg

    Expose some bare metal cause you know, plasma cutting. Got a fireproof welding blanket draped too just in case.

    20220827_075713.jpg

    Being thin, the plasma cutter easily slices through this at 33amps. Though I did wonder why I had to pry this off at first...

    20220827_081541.jpg

    It's double stacked.

    20220827_081534.jpg

    There was also the pain in the ass part of getting the metal behind the other side cut.

    20220827_082909.jpg

    Got through it well enough though.

    20220827_110428.jpg

    Just need to drill and slot the holes for the side panels but after that, I can basically tack up the top, front, and sides together.

    20220827_102157.jpg

    Thinking I may put some work into it tomorrow morning if I finish up the side brackets today.

    Definitely some progress made.

    Random pic my friend took of me in action.

    IMG_1119.jpg
     
    4runningMan, kmeeg and SR5 Limited like this.
  15. Aug 27, 2022 at 10:04 PM
    #45
    Kyblack76

    Kyblack76 New Member

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    Love, and hate this thread.

    I’m super jelly, and would LOVE to have a 80 in the shop I could work on, and thrash.
    Good shit mate,… it’s going to be a blast.
     
    Kwikvette[OP] likes this.
  16. Aug 28, 2022 at 3:36 PM
    #46
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Thanks!

    With an upcoming wedding that's been planned for well over a year, I've got less and less time to get stuff done.

    Once I really tack things together to make the base of the bumper, I can start cutting out the wings.
     
  17. Aug 28, 2022 at 5:03 PM
    #47
    4scooter19

    4scooter19 New Member

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    If you haven't decided yet I would not weld to the frame. Frames are generally tempered.
     
  18. Aug 28, 2022 at 5:47 PM
    #48
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Well I ordered an Evo saw last night, so that will deal with getting the correct angles cut.

    I'll cut square tubing, welded onto "plates" that'll bolt into the factory holes.
     
  19. Aug 28, 2022 at 6:18 PM
    #49
    4scooter19

    4scooter19 New Member

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    That sounds like a good plan. I was a welder/fabricator for 8 or so years. Built a handful of bumpers, headache racks and flatbeds as side work but mainly did structural/architectural stuff. I actually just finished putting a flatbed on my OBS Ford and did essentially what you are doing and made plates that bolted to existing holes in the pickup frame and welded to the full length runners of the flatbed.
     
    Kwikvette[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  20. Aug 28, 2022 at 7:05 PM
    #50
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Fabricator here as well, but mainly dealt with making tables, grills, benches, light poles, and other stuff for cities, counties, and parks.

    Physical disability has made me change jobs so all I do now is MIG/TIG weld for production.

    Anyway going back, making it more bolt-on friendly means more work which I'm ok with, just hate how little time I have when I am feeling ok.
     
    4scooter19[QUOTED] likes this.
  21. Aug 29, 2022 at 7:07 AM
    #51
    Bikeric

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    My buddies come to hang out and motivate me to start drinkin'. You got cool buddies.
     
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  22. Sep 10, 2022 at 2:21 PM
    #52
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    With my back feeling significantly better, I thought I'd spend a little time on the LC.

    First off, getting things clamped into place left me with larger than usual gaps which meant...a bit more trimming.

    20220910_090414.jpg

    Easy solution was, trim only a tiny bit, and flip the face upside down.

    Much better fitment.

    20220910_095526.jpg

    But I couldn't move forward until I remedied the side plates. The holes I had drilled were over 1/4" off so I simply widened all the holes into slots.

    Then there was the issue of the factory bolts easily sliding into those slots so I made these sort of "spacers" to clamp the sides down properly.

    20220910_104121.jpg

    I may just weld a larger plate to the side plate to utilize larger washers for more surface contact.

    20220910_112621.jpg

    I hate the curves in the crossmember, but I've dealt with larger gaps in various MIG jobs so this is no sweat for me.

    Brought out the welder to get it tacked up.

    20220910_114150.jpg

    Base of my swingout is nearly done which is a huge step forward to creating the bottom paneling as well as getting an idea for tying in the swingout.

    20220910_114636.jpg

    Since it's bare metal, it'll sit in the garage for the meanwhile. My 'scrap' table really comes in handy for the most random things.

    20220910_122735.jpg
     
  23. Sep 11, 2022 at 12:29 PM
    #53
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Little more mocking up.

    Initially, I had this as an idea to start the wings.

    20220911_111708.jpg

    But it made more sense to taper it this way it's less prone to catching on things.

    20220911_111716.jpg

    Just a very generic mock-up here, giving me an idea of how big this will turn out to be.

    20220911_112318.jpg

    No side tracking though. I need to finish the wing and figure out bracing in the event of any side hits.

    20220911_114514.jpg

    Thinking of adding some gusseting between the side plate and top plate (underneath). Then run some flat stock towards the frame rails and mount it to the factory holes in there.
     
  24. Sep 15, 2022 at 2:47 PM
    #54
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Adding a little progress.

    After figuring out the general idea for my wings, I thought I'd get some metal cut to get a good idea of fitment.

    Here you'll see I've taken the cardboard templates and transferred them onto steel. 3' long piece of steel and I'm going to have an oddly shaped plate left over after these are cut.

    20220915_101555.jpg

    Not worried about messing up though, as I got plenty of extra steel next to me. That tall one is over 5.5' of the same stuff I've got on my small table.

    Still need to figure out what to do with the wider sheet behind it. It's 1/4" thick at 4' tall so it's a good 50-60lbs.

    20220915_101710.jpg

    Was really happy with how the first one turned out. Not bad since all I'm using is angle iron clamped down as a guide for the straight cuts.

    Curves done freehand all with my plasma cutter.

    20220915_105339.jpg

    Here's both cut out. I left some excess in key areas on purpose so I can shape them down as I please with my angle grinder.

    20220915_111830.jpg

    Keeping the two clamped together so they both become mirror images of each other.

    20220915_114750.jpg

    20220915_114755.jpg

    Starting to really take shape!

    20220915_124050.jpg

    20220915_124057.jpg

    20220915_124109.jpg

    On a slightly unrelated note, that 1/4" steel was just used yesterday to make a stand for my small cold-cut saw.

    It used to be 5' long until I hacked part of it off for a 'top'. This thing weighed over 80lbs by itself.

    20220913_104120.jpg

    There's that angle again making a special guest appearance.

    20220913_105911.jpg

    20220913_110334.jpg

    Cut some legs out of extra square tubing I've got; love the finish cold-cut saws provide. Weld-ready even...

    20220913_135416.jpg

    Getting it squared and tacked up.

    20220914_095253.jpg

    Until it's time to burn it all in.

    20220914_101147.jpg

    Here's how it sits currently.

    20220915_143655.jpg

    I have casters I plan to weld in place, as well as a handle so I can tilt it back and move around the same way you would a dolly.

    Only related to my build because every time I use my saw, I have to grab it and put it on my welding table or smaller catch-all table. Really annoying not having a dedicated stand for it.

    Will be really useful for when I need to cut some square tubing for the swingout.
     
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  25. Sep 17, 2022 at 12:08 PM
    #55
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    With the major shape of the wings cut out, it was time to revise the other templates and get ready for cutting.

    Here's how it'll look.

    20220916_144846.jpg

    20220916_145634.jpg

    Time to transfer it to my steel plate.

    20220916_142239.jpg

    Front of the wings really looking good.

    20220917_093755.jpg

    The wrap was looking good too and really tying things in.

    20220917_102915.jpg

    Got the bottom panels cut.

    Laid it all out as it's really starting to look like a kit at this point.

    20220917_111356.jpg

    Mocking up one side.

    20220917_115318.jpg

    Next I'll have to weld up the base of the bumper before I get into tacking the wings together.

    I'll have to figure out mounting for the wings to the frame rails, not to mention gusseting.
     
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  26. Sep 18, 2022 at 2:04 PM
    #56
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Continued progress.

    Rather than expose bare metal on the crossmember again, I just wedged a 3" wide, 1/8" thick flat stock to act both as my ground, and spacer to prevent it from closing up.

    20220918_112254.jpg

    Little clean up which is ironic in that, I got a cold cut saw to prevent metal dust, but here I am with multiple angle grinders cleaning up welds.

    20220918_121837.jpg

    20220918_122415.jpg

    Not sure where my jackstands were so I had to improvise.

    Here's the mock up on the vehicle so far.

    20220918_124555.jpg

    20220918_124736.jpg
     
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  27. Sep 20, 2022 at 2:16 PM
    #57
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    For the one or two members that look at my thread :laughing:

    Little more progress; quite a bit more actually.

    Rather than continuing to mock things up with the use of magnets and figuring other parts out, I thought I'd just tack it up and get ready for welding.

    20220920_114002.jpg

    Just getting here makes a real difference in fitting up the remaining parts mainly because I don't have to continuously mount and dismount my bumper.

    20220920_113934.jpg

    Moving forward is where the real work out begins.

    20220920_120711.jpg

    So glad for my chiropractor since I wouldn't have been able to do any of these 3 weeks ago. I'm constantly having to move and flip this thing.

    20220920_122616.jpg

    With seams welded in specific key areas, it was time to let it cool down a bit.

    20220920_131401.jpg

    Made several exterior welds, long single beads really.

    20220920_135102.jpg

    Plan for the exterior is to smooth out any and all corners as well as areas where parts meet.

    20220920_140036.jpg

    There's quite a bit more to weld and grind, but today was really productive so far.

    Will continue later this week before my back starts flaring up.

    Enjoy!
     
    aRabidLunatic and 4scooter19 like this.
  28. Sep 20, 2022 at 2:22 PM
    #58
    4scooter19

    4scooter19 New Member

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    Looks good man! I finished up my flatbed install today. Added some 3/8 flatbar welded to the bed rails and used existing holes in the frame to bolt to. All the welds were inverted up hill which kinda sucked but it came out good. And it was muggy as hell here today so I was wearing a t shirt and destroyed my arms with spatter. I guess I will never learn.
     
    Kwikvette[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  29. Sep 22, 2022 at 11:47 AM
    #59
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Appreciate it!

    I definitely understand doing shit out of position; it's a constant thing especially when moving larger assemblies more than two-three times for the perfect angle gets old.

    Unlike work, I was able to weld all this with my right hand :laughing:

    Just got done with my exterior welds and blending.

    20220922_091458.jpg

    20220922_100818.jpg

    20220922_105349.jpg

    Looks good from a distance I think.

    20220922_113555.jpg

    20220922_113734.jpg
     
  30. Oct 13, 2022 at 5:48 PM
    #60
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette [OP] Kwik Fab

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    Man, been crazy busy these past few weeks but I did have a chance to put in a days work!

    Fortunately, having a ton of scrap meant an opportunity to cut some gussets and other support pieces.

    20220927_112632.jpg

    For starters, I need to figure out how far back or forward my hinge will sit. Knowing I can't sit it as far back as I'd like, these gussets will serve useful.

    20220927_104108.jpg

    Back to the inside, I started adding support pieces for the wings.

    For those watching, you'll notice I put a rounded edge on the mounting brackets...I hate sharp corners.

    20221011_114123.jpg

    Added bottom plates to the wing ends. They'll serve as a nice surface for welding some tube and plating to attach to the frame rails.

    20221011_115850.jpg

    Before closing up any part of the bottom, I got back to work on the hinge.

    Plasma cutter makes quick work of notching the bumper for the needed clearance.

    20221012_122534.jpg

    After I was happy with where the hinge will sit, I tacked it in place.

    20221012_130359.jpg

    Next up, burning it in.

    Combination of flat, horizontal, and some vertical welds.

    20221012_131541.jpg

    20221012_131550.jpg

    20221012_132941.jpg

    20221012_134015.jpg

    But obviously, I can't have that notch exposed so I boxed it up.

    20221012_150904.jpg

    Test fitting the swingout arm left me rather disappointed; if I use the 2" square tube I recently bought, it'd leave a huge gap between the arm and the bumper itself.

    For this reason, I'll need to head out and see about buying some 2" x 3" rectangular tubing. Hoping to do this tomorrow before I get busy again this weekend.

    20221012_151006.jpg
     
    Bikeric likes this.

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