2018 Sprinter 4x4 144"...Take 2

Pretty good progress again.
Made a loop to hold recovery gear (straps and rope etc on the van left side. will have one on top and bottom to keep tension. Some webbing, a buckle and a pull tab
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Simple yet effective. Keeps from carrying a bunch of bags, when i have plenty of visible and unused storage to use it on.

Also got pretty far on the rack.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Dont like my knockoffs? Send me real ones. Come at me bro
Either way, gonna suck if you cut me off
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Our patent pending modular rack. Never worry about "if i put a fan on will it fit?" Just move your damn crossbars
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Also. Curtains finally came in! Insulated, reflective lining and super cool. Makes it feel like a home and not a cave like some of the grey and black inners do
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Should have the rack done today and mounted. New version will be a slip together not bolt together, but other than that, relatively the same. Expect production availability within the next few weeks at a sub 1600 tag
 
Looking good! I run the knock off 9" LED's too, they are decent, but puke out a ton of light, not super well directed for the amount. Not sure I would want them above my windshield line. But I hate dirty windshields and lights on the roof for 99% of applications.... Looking forward to seeing the rack all together.
 
Nice. I like the fact being out of aluminum, it won't add a ton of weight up high. Loving this build!
 
I run two of the 9” knockoff HID’s. I put mine on a bar that goes across the front of my camper. It’s the first time I’ve run lights that high. My truck has a sunroof and I was concerned that I’d get a lot of light through it. Turns out my camper style rear view mirrors get glare in them, enough that I can’t see a damn thing behind me. Other than that, they have done the job I’ve needed them for. I use them primarily in Baja when chasing for the Baja 500/1000.

As always the van build is amazing!
 
While waiting for final cabinets to be finished so i can do one last blow apart of the interior for finishing work, I decided to work on a rear tire swingout.

The series of pictures here are the building process of the main structure. It will mount via either welding, or drilling and tapping the hitch frame itself to mount it using the hitch as the mount, similar to aluminess, but without all the overhang and rock dragging.

I used the 4x innovations kit to put it together, and 2x2x1/4" rec tube.
We did a radius bend at around 56 to get close to matching the rear without sticking too far out.
Then welded it up. This is the main base structure. Saturday i should have enough time to make the mounts for the hitch, tire and when the generator box gets here thursday, add that too.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 
Wow, that's a long swing out. Curious to see it built up, how much deflection there will be when swung outwards. Seems like a lot of leverage on that pivot point. I do like it being curved to match the lines and tuck in nicely.

It also seems like you will need a LOT of clearance behind you to open.
 
Mike said:
It also seems like you will need a LOT of clearance behind you to open.
Click to expand...

I think you've hit on the down side of all swing-outs. Additionally you have dick with them every time you have to get it the back. The roof might work for a tire but not for a generator, that's why I asked about 1 or 2 tires. I like the look of swing-outs, but for daily use, I hate them.
 
Even your mom is skeptical... but go ahead, mount all that weight on there and see what happens.

woman-raised-eyebrow-getty-114223607-web.jpg
 
TangoBlue said:
Even your mom is skeptical... but go ahead, mount all that weight on there and see what happens.

woman-raised-eyebrow-getty-114223607-web.jpg
Click to expand...

My cbi sagged when opened. Is what it is. it wont move much when closed. no more than any other situation.

Yes. it is a big long, No argument there. HOWEVER. In order to open the passenger door a the way 180*, it has to be a singe piece. It was a huge issue on the last van because the doors dont open and stay well.

72" to be exact
 
Your description in post # 112 (no image to clearly display its attachment to the truck) leads me to believe you intend to have a compound fulcrum on what you are essentially building as a 2-axis lever. Essentially a combined first class and second class lever. I assert it will not give you the results you're looking for, and not to be rude, but I know you well enough to not try to convince you otherwise.

I'm of the opinion that any sagging of a rear bumper with accessories should not have any measurable movement and have multiple attachment points to the frame. The whole concept of mounting weight bearing attachments to a hitch assembly that is primarily designed for a trailer is dangerous IMHO.
 
Tim is pointing out the same concern that I have. Is the weight going to be at 72" + the distance from the post to the hitch?

( Or thereabouts )
 
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