Expedition TrailBlazer Project

[KLAKEBRONCO]

Looks like a good start.

One thing I'm doing on my swing out, I think it's a good idea, is using a Dana 44 spindle/hub/bearings/lock out for the hinge.

On my truck not only will it be a place to carry a spare lock out, but it's very beefy for a tire carrier hinge. And with the lock out, I can use it to lock it in any position.

 

[JamesDowning]

Cool idea.

However, I already purchased a heavy-duty hinge from EMS off road:

 

[KLAKEBRONCO]

That's the same one I bought too. I picked up their entire bumper fab kit. Worth the $$ IMO.

I traded the hinge off though. I've seen pictures of broken trailer based spindles like that EMS one.

 

[wacker]

You're making a trailblazer a desirable vehicle. That's pretty substantial. doesn't hurt having Eric on your design/fab team. Tell him Jimmy from AOR says hello and that his work still looks top notch.

 

[karo]

Cool idea.

However, I already purchased a heavy-duty hinge from EMS off road:

Hey James nice to see that you are working on your rear bumper!
For the hinge kit i have one suggestion. Welding the hinge often let them fail because of the heavy loads and the harder internal struktures from the welding process. Hope you could understand me ;-)
I have boght these kit:

It hase a sleeve which could be welded and after that the hinge is pushed into the sleeve. So the internal strukture of the hinge couldn´t get broken.
Greets Karsten

 

[JamesDowning]

Interesting, so the welding process makes the arbor weak due to the heat from welding? Have you seen these fail?

 

[Amauri]

:drool:

 

[karo]

Interesting, so the welding process makes the arbor weak due to the heat from welding? Have you seen these fail?

Never seen it in person breaking, but you can find postings in other offroad Forum´s like this one (it is the Post Nr. 5)
http://forums.off-road.com/jeepster-american-jeepster-club/218084-tire-carrier-hinge.html
You can ask Erik about his experience if welding is making steel prudish..

 

[o0synge0o]

Great build on a foundation that isn't often seen out and about(in my experience)!

 

[JamesDowning]

Never seen it in person breaking, but you can find postings in other offroad Forum´s like this one (it is the Post Nr. 5)
http://forums.off-road.com/jeepster-american-jeepster-club/218084-tire-carrier-hinge.html
You can ask Erik about his experience if welding is making steel prudish..

He's a certified structural welder, so I'd hope he wasn't overheating when he welded. I'd think it would be hard to overheat the arbor since it's pretty thick, but you're right, a small crack at the weld could turn into a nasty crack propagation point.

Great build on a foundation that isn't often seen out and about(in my experience)!

Thanks! Not too many of us, but a few!

 

[JamesDowning]

Never seen it in person breaking, but you can find postings in other offroad Forum´s like this one (it is the Post Nr. 5)
http://forums.off-road.com/jeepster-american-jeepster-club/218084-tire-carrier-hinge.html
You can ask Erik about his experience if welding is making steel prudish..

I spoke with Eric about this. He said that it's possible that the broken one you referenced was heat treated already. Welding on a heat treated spindle can cause cracks. The one we used was not heat treated, so the weld should serve to strengthen the spindle.

 

[JamesDowning]

Progress on the bumper has been slow overall, but we're finally making some headway.

Below you can see some pictures from the past month or so.

We essentially have the entire base of the bumper put together... a couple more structural ribs need to be added here and there, but it's basically completed.

Now we're on to creating the tire carrier itself.

Due to how close the bumper is to the profile of the rear of the truck, the tire carrier is going to have to curve around the rear of the vehicle... more complexity, sigh. :coffeedrink:

 

[02TahoeMD]

Looking good James! Drop me an email when it is all wrapped up, would be great to hit western MD for a trail run.

 

[chilliwak]

What an awesome looking set of bumpers! Are you sure there isn't a steel fabricator background in your family? You seems to have inherited the skills. Nice work!:victory:

 

[JCMatthews]

I have looked at your thread a few times, and eventhough I may not be a Chevy/GM guy I love what you have done with your Trailblazer. You and TahoeMD have inspired me to work on my Ford Expedition. I have sold the Jeep and now I am working on a few plans. Thanks and keep up the awsome build.