Tucson Meet & Greets

OK - I'll bite. This works for me, mechanical engineers are known for their "reckless abandon"......
This is the sheet metal box that holds the front cross member - for the front skid pan - under the bumper mounts. It has four sides and mammoth holes through all four. Given the right opportunity, I would weld them all shut or plate them over. They are designed to fail. The little sheet metal boxes bolted into the crossmember opening on both sides - have no known use.

Visible in the photo is the edge of one of the "bolt-on" eyelets attached by bolts to nuts tack welded inside the frame. They have some use - but such devices are known to "peel off" when the load is extreme or eccentric. People on the site have reported that the loading of the internal nuts has puckered the sheet metal from the inside.

So I built these to replace the little sheet metal boxes and anchor up inside the crossmember. The material is T6-6061 aluminum which is basically the same strength as mild steel bar. At one inch thickness, a load that would fail the eyelet would rip the little front crossmember right off the truck. Each is fitted tightly into the space, and the second bolt (drilled up through the sheet metal frame) is a 1/2-13UNC Grade 8 flange screw. I put a small hole to locate the frame hole and mark the aluminum - then removed the bar to drill and tap it. The frame hole was then opened to 17/32. If I build some more - I'll use 1.25 thick 6061 - just because it will fill more of the opening and still fit into the shackle. It will look even stronger and the ninnies won't wince. You could make them out of steel I suppose......

After putting the big anchors in place, I got to worrying about the skinny little four sided sheet metal boxes that attach the crossmember to the frame. Depending on how you calculate it - they are good for maybe 10,000 pounds each - but I don't know the actual yield strength of the frame material. So - I put one on each side and got a "tree saver" strap to span between the two. The strap length has to be about 2-1/2 to 3 times the distance between eyelets to get some protection out of it.

 

Always wondered if you went any further with this design.

 

Anyone down to get a beer after Christmas? Like 26th, 27th, 29th? I can't on the 28th.

 

I'm game

 

I'm in San Diego until the 27th, be back in Tucson that afternoon/evening and could get a beer then. Or the 29th.

 

I'm always game for some brews.

 

Count me in. Whenever is good for you all.

 

Had some fun in Reddington on Christmas eve (now that the taco is in 1 peice) .

 

Is anyone in Tucson running a 6112/5160 near stock height set up? Would love to check out the ride sometime. My front stock set up is blasted from work and looking to upgrade/replace.

Joe

 

For some reason the local Tucson group has gone into hibernation...... Hello? Anybody on here?

 

I am.

 

I’m here

 

Many of the more active Tucson crew jumped ship after others were banned for “offensive” posts. They are still active on another forum and a few of them pop in here periodically. That being said, there are still a few of us on here regularly.

Need something?

 

Still here myself, but don't frequent often. Most of us have jumped ship to mod free territories.

 

Hate to see this outfit split up or splinter - but to each their own I suppose ....... My truck has just been a DD for the last four weeks, haven't bent a wrench or tinkered either one.

 

I'm here still. I miss our monthly/biweekly brew nights. I traveled for work for a bit and now I don't hear from any Taco franz anymore

 

It’s a long shot but does anyone want to team up to do their 100,000 miles tune up. I’m in an apartment complex with limited tools. I would like to grab a six pack and do a brakes/coolant flush and a transmission drain/fill. Transfer case and front and rear Diff another weekend or all on the same day. Holler if you’re interested

 

Short notice but I'm going to be replacing my rear springs on my GX tonight at my place NE side. Holla if you're bored, thirsty, hungry, or all of the above. Wouldn't mind having someone around to make sure I don't get crushed haha

 

Pics plz

 

Was wondering where a good place to go, that doesn't break the bank, to have the cross over exhaust pipe relocated?

TIA