2018 Sprinter 4x4 144"...Take 2

Greg said:
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 )
Click to expand...
Nopers.

Tire will be very close to the pivot, and generator right next to it, with blank space further out.

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

SO here is the theory behind this
Aluminess makes basically what amounts to this exact situation, with a dual swingout. The mounting, forces, etc are all the same pretty much.
only difference is i did a single arm, with less weight planned to be used.

The swingarm is welded to the hitch both to the cross tube, and the actual thick side plates as well.
There is some rotational flex, with 200lbs on the end. So what i will do, so go from the mounts to the corners with 2x2x1/4 and should fix that.

Im not doing anything out of the ordinary in the sprinter world. There is no "rear bumper" for us to replace as the unibody is the bumper basically in the rear.
 
Ah. It almost seems like you could do a half swing arm leaving the other side clear so you can open the passenger side door w/o mucking about with the swingarm.
 
Greg said:
Ah. It almost seems like you could do a half swing arm leaving the other side clear so you can open the passenger side door w/o mucking about with the swingarm.
Click to expand...
That was actually the first plan.
By the time you have the 33" tire and then the generator box (25 inches long) You are already almost 3/4 of the way over there. So may as well just finish it out for balance.

The way the rear end on the vans are done is dumb. I wish it was like the subaru that i did this same thing on, but i could build a whole new sub structure. Alas, we made due with what we can in the best method possible
 
Also. What gave me the idea anyways is this guy who is semi local. I just did it better. He had super sketch mounting points. But everything was still pretty sturdy, no more or less than either of our tacomas were (he has one also with a rear swingout)

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All you can do is try... if it works - you win; and if it doesn't work you've increased the body of knowledge and you have the talent to make something even better. :thumbsup
 
Got the tire on. Not as much movement as i was expecting, but enough to put some diagonal supports out to the hinge in and triangulate the extra hinge above and below the 2x2. Its perfectly usable as is honestly, but i want to make it better, so gonna try.

Put just enough preload in the hinge so it doesn't sag and needs an ever so slight downward push to get it to latch.
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
 
110% happier with it now.
There is still a bit of movement, but when compared to a CBI rear bumper on a tacoma (friend has one), its right at the exact same amount of movement. So I can live with that
Added some gussets, and a diagonal support to help with the twisting, moved the whole arm over about 2.5 inches to clear the door correctly (yes we all fuck up some times or the other), and added some welds to hidden spots on the hitch while it was all off.

The box arrived last night, so I will install the frame for that friday most likely, then drop it all off for powdercoat friday afternoon. It's nice to have a spare tire again.
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

Lord i hope my cabinets get finished this weekend. its been going on far too long so i can take it all apart one last time, paint the ceiling and cabinet faces, then put it all back in. Ready to use it.
Just got a raise at work and 5 weeks vacation extra a year in leiu of the rest of the raise, so i have 7 weeks of vacation now a year.

Winning.
 
Finishing up the whole situation

Mounts for the box bolted on so i can position it and weld it in
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Was going to add some gussets and stuff for the box, but even with the generator in there, there isnt any movement when closed, so perfectly happy with it.
Pulling the whole thing sunday for powder monday!
 
I think the LAST huge milestone before paint and putting it all back together

All the wood work is done. hinges and lifting/opening struts installed on all the upper cabinets to hold open, and vertical doors to keep them from closing on their own like on the last van. Super frustrating to try and get something out of the cabinet on a hill and the door keep hitting you. Also to prevent over opening and stressing the wood/hinges
I was going to blast it all apart today, but it has been super hot, and i have to do the lawn. So tomorrow after work, i should be able to start taking everything out.

all that is left is to paint the cabinets
Paint the ceiling
Put it all back together
Install table on mount (bamboo)
Finish final hookup of plubming once kitchen is backin
Cover the black wall panel in blue
Wire Espar Control panel onto that wall
Make some trim pieces for sides of cabinets and such

With the new days off, trying to get this thing done and get out there! Lots of florida to explore!
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 
Your skills/attention to detail far exceed mine, but your swing out sure looks on the skinny side to me. Maybe a "kick stand" at the end when it is in the open position. The roll in it is freakin' beautiful.
 
No, but I'll bet there's close to 200 on it, plus the fat guy in camp that is going to lean on it when it's in the open position!:rolleyes:

Like I said, your skills are far superior to mine, I'm just looking at a picture.
 
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