Kiddmen57
Supporting Sponsor
Very cool... when I get mine going, I'm coming over so you can help me with mine...
I'd be glad to help out.
My M416 - Yes, another one
- Thread starter Kiddmen57
- Start date
I'd be glad to help out.
Kiddmen57
Supporting Sponsor
Got the rest of the bedliner removed today and started working on the placement of the brackets.
I had designed a couple brackets to mount the lower strut mount to. I intended for these to be placed such that they were "inside" the tub handles. Well, I discovered that the handles were not placed very stringently. None were at the same height, so I mounted my brackets and will drill/ tap the stud hole once the lid is in place.
I also welded nuts to the backside of the hinge brackets since they really won't easily be accessible once welded on. A little trick I use for keeping nuts centered is to tighten them on with a flat head cap screw. The taper on the screw will center the bolt shaft and the nut.
After the lid is on and functioning, and used this winter (our on season here in the southwest) I will disassemble and powder coat everything.
I had designed a couple brackets to mount the lower strut mount to. I intended for these to be placed such that they were "inside" the tub handles. Well, I discovered that the handles were not placed very stringently. None were at the same height, so I mounted my brackets and will drill/ tap the stud hole once the lid is in place.
I also welded nuts to the backside of the hinge brackets since they really won't easily be accessible once welded on. A little trick I use for keeping nuts centered is to tighten them on with a flat head cap screw. The taper on the screw will center the bolt shaft and the nut.
After the lid is on and functioning, and used this winter (our on season here in the southwest) I will disassemble and powder coat everything.
VDBAZFJ
Adventurer
Looking great!I finally gave the OK to a fabricator to get my aluminum lid going. In the meantime I have to get a lot of things ready for it. I ordered my struts and other components from McMaster-Carr, made up some brackets and welded my barrel hinges to the custom brackets. I also decided to pull at the "bedliner" that was in the trailer. Luckily, the person who lined it didn't do a very good job and it came out in sheets. A couple more hours with the scraper and all of it will be gone.
I also ordered a sample pack of peel-n-stick weather strip from Steele rubber to determine which type would be best for the lid.
Hoping to have the lid and get it installed before the OJ open house at the end of the month. The fabricator didn't follow my prints the first time and ended up short overall. Now they are under pressure to get it finished in time for me to install it. Hoping it all works out.
One thing though. Get that dang ring off your finger when doing work like this. Ive seen pictures of what happens and trust me...you dont want that.
Kiddmen57
Supporting Sponsor
Picked up the lid sections at the fabricator today. They came out really nice and fit well. I have a bit of tweaking to do to straighten the trailer rails and some grinding on the hinge plates. Overall I am very pleased. I'll try to start riveting the sections together this weekend so I can work on the fit to the trailer.
highlandercj-7
Explorer
Man that is sweet. You should be able to market that hinge mount kit too. Very nice work!
VDBAZFJ
Adventurer
Lid is now one piece. The process was..... Riveting ..ah ah
Fit is excellent after I persuaded the tub rails straight.
Best pic yet! Looks awesome man! Can wait to see it in person!
Kiddmen57
Supporting Sponsor
All I need is to mount my tent. For that I'll need a friends help Saturday morning.
Finished mounting the latches and made a handle. After I installed it I realized it's going to be a limb catcher....I'll see how it goes and re make one if needed. Now I have to finish all the welds and take it all apart for primer. Paint will wait until next summer for the season is upon us here in the southwest.
Finished mounting the latches and made a handle. After I installed it I realized it's going to be a limb catcher....I'll see how it goes and re make one if needed. Now I have to finish all the welds and take it all apart for primer. Paint will wait until next summer for the season is upon us here in the southwest.
