Anybody know anyone in Utah (Salt Lake, Utah County areas) that has the skill to do rear 40 quarter panels? Just wondering? I can't afford pre-made plus shipping, so that's why I'm looking at going this way.
its really easy, make a paper template, transfer it to a large sheet of steel, cut out with a nibbler, spot weld to back of truck, push around radius, finish spot welding, weld a 1" lip on.
yeah, that sounds pretty simple. i'll give it a try. worst case scenario i'll be out 20 bucks for wasted sheet metal. what gauge would you recomend for these?
I have made about a dozen pairs out of 18g. Steel.
I took a piece of plastic gas main pipe (3' long and about 10" in diameter) and built a simple frame around two large blocks of wood and made a very simple press that exactly reproduces the stock bend of the quarter panel. You just take the pre-cut steel blank, lay in the press, stomp on with your foot and out comes a perfect radius bend. Helps to weigh in at 260 but even if you don't it's not that hard.
Sounds medieval but it works like a charm.
I can take some pics of it if anyone is interested. I built it in `94 and it has seen a lot of use. In other words, I never realized how much it would get used.
I have a set of Stumbaugh's qtrs on my 40. I can attest that they fit like a glove. John, I would love to see a picture of your bending apparatus. Please post some pictures.
I was thinking of making a similar jig out of steel so that I could heat and bend 1/8 inch Diamond plate for my corners. How thick is 18g? Any thoughts or advice?
I just realized that it will be dark when I get home so I'll take some pics tomorrow before work.
Like I said it's pretty medival so don't expect anything fancy but it works well.
ckolloff - I have a similar sized metal pipe to the plastic one that I am currently using and was thinking that I took a piece of angle iron and welded it one side as a clamping surface to hold down the work the I could build a roller that would spin around the center of the large steel pipe on arms mounted to bearings. This would allow the use of a thicker material like 1/8 (11g) diamond plate steel....
Hard to envision, when I take the pics I'll so a simple drawing.
Yea man, if I don't get off a cane I might actually have to give it up and stick to welding as a hobby instead. If I had only not gone for ride that day in 1995...oh well.
The guy with the 4 Runner is getting ready for climbing mt Everest so he does not have much free time. I will go take pics of the truck - it's near my house.
A forum community dedicated to custom off-road vehicle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about trail reports, builds, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, fabrication, drivetrain, and more!