My snorkel fail

Mark the hole locations with a machinist center punch. Drop pilot holes about 1/8". That way when you drill the big holes he drill bit won't slip and hung up the sheet metal.

 

On un-even/convex/ concave sheet metal surfaces sometimes I like to do a series of stepped pilots, always starting with a punch as @HisDad stated above. And I might start as small as 1/16. But instead of going straight from an 1/8 to 16mm. I might go with a 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and then to 16mm or the equivalently in your metric set, finish them off with a de-burrer. This may seem excessive to some but well worth the time and layout in my opinion.

 

I didn't realize fenders could be had for so cheap. Spend like $500-$600 on the snorkel, then if you ever want to go back to stock, another $500-$600 for the fender (shipping tax paint idk rounding here)

Holes on the A pillar are another story though...

 

Velcro, or VHB will do it in most cases. I wouldn't put holes in no pillahs.

 

I'll generally use multiple individual bits since it's harder to make the hole too big that way. I do use step bits from time to time though.

Your other advice is spot on. It's a bit more time consuming but the finished product is better.

 

oh fuck

man i hope you get this sorted out....

 

I love me a step bit, don't get me wrong! Just depends on the time and the place. I can tell we're on the same page

 

This^^^^


Don’t go drilling holes in your A pillar OP. You can find this industrial Velcro at Home Depot. It will be fine to use the truck to drive there with it loose till you get it. Just leave the bracket off for the pillar so it doesn’t scratch the truck.


@Taco Stallion


When you’re working on something like that in the future remember to grab a spring loaded punch to have something for the bit to start in and not wander.

 

I still have the "Cone Cut" drill I bought in the '70s. Step drills are a later version, but the Cone Cut makes a bigger hole. I also have a 3/4” antenna saw but use that very often hear days.

 

I need to invest in a antenna saw. Need to get my radio installed in the new truck.

 

That's whats up! I've chucked up some hand reamers in a drill in a pinch trying to bore some long through holes at 19mm, almost broke my wrist...

 

I usually just grab the window punch off the ambulance when I’m at work drilling into my truck. Lol


Has worked great for my snorkel and @baldridge ’s.

 

Good lookin out

 

lol speed holes

 

Honest question- how does this not fuck your resale value? I suppose you can always sell it to someone else that plans on going all Oregon Trail with it, but to the general market I would imagine that this would scare them the hell away.

 

One could always buy an extra fender to begin with, remove the stock one. Stow it away in a safe place. Drill away, and return to stock when they plan to sell. I'm looking into it now.

Edit: Probably even cheaper if you don't have a color pref.

 

@Taco Stallion, prime and paint the holes before final install.

 

Perhaps OP had drill on “hammer” mode with a dull bit, hence all the dents alongside the edge of the holes.

 

For the purpose, those ugly holes won't work any worse than a perfect hole, all else equal. They are hidden once everything is installed and if the bare edges are primed or otherwise treated, it's all the same. Imagining the technique and tools used to make those holes did make me cringe a bit, though. Nothing makes a cleaner hole in sheet and plate than a rotabroach.