The Gray's - 16'49'1 Outback Expanda
- Thread starter zerosecta
- Start date
What are you mounting on it?
It looks like there will be a fair bit of weight in it when its completed
It looks like there will be a fair bit of weight in it when its completed
wow, looking 4wood 2 c'ing the finish product, when i done this 2 our swan i placed tubes str8 in2 the chassis then position bar,placed canvas over rear of van then tack welded, re measured, removed then final weld. though looks as if u r prepared all reddy 4 dis.cheers.
Got a little more done this evening...
Top of the Wheel Mount Parts sit about 300mm below bed when down.
The plan is to drill a 16mm hole all the way through the two Tabs you will see that are welded onto the wheel mount (they stick out to the rear) - The hole will go through the most rear upright that sits behind the wheel mount upright and then use a 16mm Pin that go's all the way through and keeps the wheel from dropping down - Like those used to keep your tow ball toung in place - Also over the top will be an over center type latch - Not to act as a hold, but just to stop any ratling.
Enjoy
Top of the Wheel Mount Parts sit about 300mm below bed when down.
The plan is to drill a 16mm hole all the way through the two Tabs you will see that are welded onto the wheel mount (they stick out to the rear) - The hole will go through the most rear upright that sits behind the wheel mount upright and then use a 16mm Pin that go's all the way through and keeps the wheel from dropping down - Like those used to keep your tow ball toung in place - Also over the top will be an over center type latch - Not to act as a hold, but just to stop any ratling.
Enjoy
Looks great!
Do you need to get any sort of engineering inspection or certification for insurance once you are done?
Guess I need to do some welding classes to get into the serious mods :thumb:
Do you need to get any sort of engineering inspection or certification for insurance once you are done?
Guess I need to do some welding classes to get into the serious mods :thumb:
Engineering certificate, mmm dunno, mabey, but not planning to... I'll give it a good thrashing around my area, we have some dirt roads with light corrugations ans a few pot holes near by... If it hangs together, doesn't fall apart or rip the back of the van apart then that's enough certification for me 
Far as welding classes go - purchased a little arc welder did some googling and a few you tube videos and I was off... Then got a cheap mig welder and realized that the only reason people tell you to use an arc welder is more of a joke or initiation if you like. If you ever going to weld just get a mig straight up.
Far as welding classes go - purchased a little arc welder did some googling and a few you tube videos and I was off... Then got a cheap mig welder and realized that the only reason people tell you to use an arc welder is more of a joke or initiation if you like
. If you ever going to weld just get a mig straight up.
Zerosecta - I have the best wife in the world as she (and the kids) got me a big mig welder for Christmas 2010! Have been using it to fix up stuff about the small acreage we have, but have not done any construction in anger!
Very impressed with you pics!
How are you oing to finish it? Powder coat or just spray?
Cheers - Ro
Very impressed with you pics!
How are you oing to finish it? Powder coat or just spray?
Cheers - Ro
OK, I'd be lying if I didn't say I was just a little chuffed with myself on this one... Couple of little fine tunes and most definitely take it off to get it sand blasted and Powder Coated one day when i can afford it.
For Now though, the dodge spray can Paint Job will do.
Here are some night time pics (couldn't help my self) I'll have to get some better pics on a sunny day.
Wheel up, held in place with 16mm Pin, did have the center over Latch but really not required.
And Dropped down, - Easy as, simply a matter of pulling the pin and the wheel drops down this this position - bottom of tyre hits the bar and stops it from going all he way to the ground - This was always part of the plan of course :lie:
In these two pic's I am going to reveal what appears to be one of the most closely gaurded secrets amonst the modified Expandas community - Wait for it - Yes, How it is actually attached to the van...
I have mounted it on top of the standard bar mount rather than through it so get a little extra height to make up for the extra extension.
I then have one 16mm Bolt and two 12mm bolts working from back to front of Van on each side going all the way through the bar and chassis.
I also welded a few offcuts of 25x25 to the chassis above and below the bar, nice and snug for extra strenth and support, they also act as a nice guide when slidding the bar in.
And just for Kicks Here is a comparison of original vs. mine just slid it into its original mounts.
For Now though, the dodge spray can Paint Job will do.
Here are some night time pics (couldn't help my self) I'll have to get some better pics on a sunny day.
Wheel up, held in place with 16mm Pin, did have the center over Latch but really not required.
And Dropped down, - Easy as, simply a matter of pulling the pin and the wheel drops down this this position - bottom of tyre hits the bar and stops it from going all he way to the ground - This was always part of the plan of course :lie:
In these two pic's I am going to reveal what appears to be one of the most closely gaurded secrets amonst the modified Expandas community - Wait for it - Yes, How it is actually attached to the van...
I have mounted it on top of the standard bar mount rather than through it so get a little extra height to make up for the extra extension.
I then have one 16mm Bolt and two 12mm bolts working from back to front of Van on each side going all the way through the bar and chassis.
I also welded a few offcuts of 25x25 to the chassis above and below the bar, nice and snug for extra strenth and support, they also act as a nice guide when slidding the bar in.
And just for Kicks
Here is a comparison of original vs. mine just slid it into its original mounts.