The Black Hole

[traveler]

Well i prefer small ones as I put the CB in the tissue holder under the console. Don't know if its an upgrade or not from my Midland... But it might be.

 

[Rick]

Truck ****.

A to Z Fabs Mega 1.5" chromo spindle. 2.25" Sleeve tube to weld the 2"x2" sq tube onto. Also got their kit that has the mount plate, and the T-handle threaded lock set up. I have a latch and locking pull pin form Ruff Stuff, but not sure which locking kit, I am going to use yet.

View attachment 98314

Suggestion... With that super easy to open wheel bearing setup it will want to shut on you when on the slightest incline. Install a lock to keep it open when wanted. Mine is just a T pin that passes through a tab in the bumper and on the swing out carrier.

 

[gmanpaint]

I got the pull pin spring lock from Ruff Stuff just for that reason. They make them in house and practically give them away.

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/R2215.html

Plan is to add a tab to the spindle, and weld the pin to it. Simple catch hole in the bumper plate top.

 

[gmanpaint]

So I went to a friends shop over the weekend, and we knocked out phase 1 of the tire swing out.

Used 2"x2"x.0.125 sq tube, and 0.250" plate gussets.

The A to Z Fab chromoly Mega spindle works amazing. I upgraded the generic dust cap with a Haul Master chrome spring loaded grease cap with rubber cover. That's one HD dust cap! The mega spindle is thicker & longer, then the regular. I had to cut off about 3" of it. The 3/8" corner tube gusset worked as planned. Plasma torched a hole in it, and cleaned it up with a bur bit. Spindle fit right in, and a nice weld all around the spindle. One last bead to the top above the bumper plate, and it ain't going anywhere.

The Ruffstuff spring loaded locking pin works great. It was a tight fit between the spindle and the tail light, but it clears it and the hatch too. Two locking holes in the bumper. One when closed, one when opened at a 45*. It is stainless, and lost it's shine when welded on. Lift, turn 45* and it locks open. The spring is stout. I can pull it up, move the carrier out a little, release the pin, and it will side across the bumper and drop into the holes on it's own. Because of this, I didn't add a stop on the outside of the spindle. Might still do it, not sure yet.

The Ruffstuff latch is a huge disappointment. It is going back. It simply doesn't work right. There is no cam to break over, and not even a way to use a lock pin when closed. Terrible design. Worst part, is they charge 3-4 times as much as others for it. SMH

So the A to Z spindle kit comes with a weld it DIY lock, and it is a sturdy solid noise free application. It just didn't work out for this build. Shame too, because it is super nice.
So instead, we welded a 3/8" tab to the bumper top, and drilled a hole thru it, and the bumper. Drilled out and welded in a round tube inside the 2" sq tube. Drop in a 3/4" farm hitch to hold in place, with a 1/4" clevis pin to secure it. Solid, tight, and zero play in the swing out. Couldn't be happier how it turned out.

The 3/8" plate with a bunch of predrilled holes for assorted lug patterns worked, but I need to re-do it at some point. Somehow it came out a tad crooked. I think I will use the lug half of a wheel bearing Hub instead. I will save that for phase 2, when the Jerry can holder, the hi lift, and the max tracks brackets are added.

Got it cleaned up & painted, after work tonight.

 

[WormsExplorer]

Looks awesome sir.

 

[CDW6212R]

Very awesome, strong and subtle.

Hey, do you carry a spare hub with you? I know where you could store one, drill that plate with the three spindle/hub pattern, and bingo. That'd put the little toy fidget spinners to shame.

 

[gmanpaint]

Very awesome, strong and subtle.

Hey, do you carry a spare hub with you? I know where you could store one, drill that plate with the three spindle/hub pattern, and bingo. That'd put the little toy fidget spinners to shame.

I do, inside the cargo storage box. It's fine in there. Nice & safe, out of the elements, in a bag.

Don't get the Old grumpy man inside me started on those there fancy fidget whatchamacallit contraptions.....Kids consume too much sugars, and spend too much time on their backsides, indoors these days. They need a kick in the pants to get outside and be active. Play until they pass out at the dinner table. If not playing, busting ass doing chores.
(dang whippersnappers)

 

[CDW6212R]

All true. I saw one of those for the first time at my father's funeral in May. It's neat, but when I was a kid, we'd play with it for a while, and then it'd be stored away forever. It's not a long term toy.

 

[WormsExplorer]

I had a Fidget Spinner when I was a youngen. It was a Pencil and a wooden ruler.

 

[Centaurus5.0]

Lookin' Tuff! I like it!

 

[Turdle]

Good work going on here! Keep it up!

 

[gmanpaint]

Trip to Buena Vista CO area was a success. 10 days primitive camping at 10,500 ft. by night, and hitting the trails, passes, and local sights by day.

 

[CDW6212R]

Beautiful scenery, a great time for sure.

 

[WormsExplorer]

What trails did you do over there in Buena Vista? The one tail Chinamens Gulch is my FAVORITE! There are a lot of awesome trails there in that area also. Great Views and just all in all wonderful place to be.

 

[gmanpaint]

Tincup, Mt. Princeton, Antero, Chalk lake, Cascade Falls, and did a lot of scoping out of trail heads, and towns surrounding the area. It rained everyday we was there, and limited us (spirits mostly) to taking on a lot of trails. That and I had a brake issue again. I will get into that later on here. Just getting back to base camp at 10.5k ft everyday was a chore. lol

 

[WormsExplorer]

I have been up there on Chinamens in July and had ALL 4 seasons in one day. I was driving a buddies Jeep and it had no Top. Let me tell you Hail on the head DOES not feel good. Chinamens and Carnage are right next to each other. Chinamens is easier then Carnage. Carnage I would Suggest You not doing. That on is for Buggies. Can't wait to see other pictures.

 

[Turdle]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...it-hurts-but-did-you-die.465357/#post-3642983

Adding for others to follow.

 

[Centaurus5.0]

Your rig is looking BEAST broski!

 

[gmanpaint]

Thanks! It looks different with the BFG AT's on it. I used these tires for this trip because they are more HWY friendly, and work well on these type of trails. I have already swapped them out back to the Goodyear MTR's.

This rig will be down yet again, for a long period of time due to a major Mod, and a few minor mods happening soon. It will be ready for another epic adventure for spring of '18.

As I have said in the past, "It never ends, with these rigs".

 

[CDW6212R]

It looks badass because of the many things you see below the grille, the winch, lights, tow hooks, skid plate, and rugged suspension. You've done great with that IRS front end, and I hope I get to doing the coil over and BTF's this next Winter.