What did you do to your SMB today?

[arctictraveller]

Some one here (I forget who) reciently posted a couple photos of a reinforcing bracket for his Aluminess spare tire carrier. I stole the idea and made one to fit my box top loaded with three 5 gallon fuel cans. That's a lot of weight, and the tiny aluminum brace from the hinge ovaled out the bolt holes several times allowing the whole thing to move around more than I'd like. I used steel and had a hard time fabricating it since I only had a hammer and little vice, but never the less, it's pretty straight and now the swingout is rock solid. I only used self taping screws to mount it to the body, but three of them go through a double thickness of metal, and if they do get loose, I'll just replace the screws with a couple through bolts with nuts and washers. Someone should make these (Ray?)and sell them as I imagine lots of Aluminess swing outs have similar problems.

[skoronesa]

Originally Posted by arctictraveller

Some one here (I forget who) reciently posted a couple photos of a reinforcing bracket for his Aluminess spare tire carrier. I stole the idea and made one to fit my box top loaded with three 5 gallon fuel cans. That's a lot of weight, and the tiny aluminum brace from the hinge ovaled out the bolt holes several times allowing the whole thing to move around more than I'd like. I used steel and had a hard time fabricating it since I only had a hammer and little vice, but never the less, it's pretty straight and now the swingout is rock solid. I only used self taping screws to mount it to the body, but three of them go through a double thickness of metal, and if they do get loose, I'll just replace the screws with a couple through bolts with nuts and washers. Someone should make these (Ray?)and sell them as I imagine lots of Aluminess swing outs have similar problems.

Awesome job man, looks real smooth. Grinder and paint am I right? It's amazing what one can make with simple hand tools and some time.

[Flux]

right on arctic!! Glad that idea worked for you. Mine was originally aluminum and tore in half bouncing around while wheeling. It was soft aluminum so I am not surprised. I remade it out of steel as well and am gonna test it tomorrow on the same roads.

sweet!!

And yeah thats the idea, sneaks right between the door and you don't see the screws.

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by skoronesa

Awesome job man, looks real smooth. Grinder and paint am I right?

A sawsall with a metal cutting blade, a file and some black paint. It's not real smooth, but flat black paint hides a lot of sins.

Flux, thanks for the idea. I'm a little surprised your aluminum one failed so quickly, there must be a lot of movement with your spare carrier. Mine seems to be pretty solid, but the box had a lot of movement with full fuel cans on top. I'll report back, but I think I'll remove the screws and bolt it tomorrow since yours failed so quickly.

[skoronesa]

I started replacing the 8 bolts that hold on my bumper, they were all 3/8" threaded rod, not good enough for when I use the winch. Spent 20$ on 5/8" nuts/washers, had some threaded rod. And I bought a 15$ 5/8" drill bit.

Well I was finishing the 4th hole when the bit snapped. Fock me. Why is it so difficult to find good drill bits? I should have known the whole thing was too hard when it hadn't dulled at all even after 3 holes. I would gladly sharpen a 5/8" bit more often than have it be too brittle. Besides, if you sharpen them right and cool the very tip once it gets a bit hot the cutting edge will stay sharp while the rest is tough.

I have an 11/32" drill bit I have been beating on for years and sharpening. I wish I could still read the brand off the shank though undoubtedly they have since lowered quality like the rest. That bit stays in my tool bag and gets used several times a week. I had a nice 1/2" bit but some ahole left that and my new, filled to the brim bit box on a jobsite.

[winmag4582001]

Drove all the way up to the Via Fararta trailhead in Telluride Colorado. Sign said "High clearance 4x4 ONLY". Some of the switchbacks took a four point turn but the beast made it!

[winmag4582001]

Anther pic from the Telluride area.

[skoronesa]

Cut and mounted driver side corner piece for front bumper.

[ohpyramids]

Enjoyed the Sierras

[rallypanam]

Technically yesterday, but I figured out a way to speed my fuel stops when onboarding 50+ gallons..