your welder actually will get better penatration with flux core. if you are guna weld anything over 1/8in with that welder use flux core. PRACTICE. flux core is alot tougher to make look good

 

Another reason I'm using the flux core is because it doesn't require the metal to be perfectly clean. Some of the metal (actually a lot of it...) that I use has rust pits in it. I can clean the surface, but I can't get into the pits without sandblasting.

 

Bumpidy bump bump.


I made some imaginary progress, and drew it up in AutoCAD 2010. I have thought about it enough that it works in my mind, but I need some other thoughts on it.

How do I post my drawing as a picture on here?
If someone tells me I can try and get them up tonight.

Thanks.

 

print screen then paste it into paint and use that to crop and save it as an image

 

x2!

if you have a mac then it is command-shift-3 (for full screen snap shot) command-shift-4(for selected area)

My college runs everything off of macs then uses VMware to run the autocad programs. (as do i on my macbook pro).

But if you are using a PC just like posted above!

 

Thank. I'll do that when I get home.

 

These are very rough drawings, and the one labeled "FRONT" is probably not gonna happen. The red lines are roughly where the jeep is.

You know those strong little springs that are in the bottom of some office chairs? I think I might use 2-4 of those or their equivalent. They will go where the swing up just comes off the rack, and will rest on a plate attached to the roof. The springs will hopefully act just like those on your hood latches, and change the geometry to assist the shocks a little and give them more leverage.

This plan will use the close assist shocks, and they will probably have about 500lbs of pull between the two. (I will make it work somehow, not matter what). The rack will probably weight a lot more than I hoped too. I just hope it doesn't fold in on itself....

In the drawing, the blue arrows show where the force will be strongest. Under the plated part will be extensions of the crossbars that you can see.


I want any and all opinions on this. I have thought about it too much and it works in my mind, but might not in yours.

Thanks. Pics:







The "chair springs" will be where the green square is.

 

Need this:http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Linear...ign=GoogleBase

 

Those will definitly be a fall back plan.

In the drawings, I have these: (up to 250lbs of force each, expensive though)
http://www.mcmaster.com/#gas-springs/=86ymec

they're at the bottom of page 1191.

I want it to be able to lift the tire at the same speed as the hatch does, or atleast close to it, and relativly quietly. There is a linear actuator on my aunts JD Gator, and it has some noise to it.

 

On the landscape trailer at work we have a double barrel tailgate assist http://www.etrailer.com/p-RA-27C.html and it works really well on the heavy tailgate. Maybe mount two of them on the top of the rack and then hand lift the carrier and have a lock to keep it up? or mount one or two assists on the rack again and then you'd be able to use a smaller and quieter linear actuater?

 

I never knew those even exsisted. To me, they look like they have close-assist shocks in them, but The problem with those, is they are both wider and longer than my rack.

I don't want the rack to weigh anymore than it has to. I do plan on having a safety lock on it to keep it up.


After I am sure that this oil leak I had is fixed, I am going to work on this again.

 

After thinking a little more, I took out some stuff that I didn't think is needed. New drawing color coded and dimensioned.

Blue= frame work for wind valance, will be made from lighter material

Green= gutter mounts

Orange= close assist shock

Red= dimensions

Black= rack

What do you all think?

 

gotta say it works in my mind. my only problem is why hasnt it been built yet? but after reading your plans i think our minds could be on the same path as i think its fully possible.

 

seems to me liike your putting so much steel on the roof that your blowing the whole point of a rear tire carier which is to maintain a lower cog...

 

I know.....

But at this point, I just want to get it done and working. Later on down the road, I will try to cut the weight.

I was planning to get a lot done the past two days, but it rained, and stormed, and I don't have a garage to work in.

EDIT: I got a little done tonight. Two of the bars are not welded in yet, the two in the middle sides facing front to back.