attaching a flatbed...
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 319
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From: Western Australia
If you have grade 8 allthread you could bend your own u bolts. Sort out your sizes and then clamp the rod gently in a vice and heat about 1/2-3/4 inch either side of the point you want to bend at. Don't go to hot but as it starts to go red put some pressure in the direction you want to bend. As it bends keep only enough heat to keep the bend going and then let it cool naturally. Be patient and do not quench as it will make them brittle at the bend. Do not use untill they are stone cold. They will lose a little of their strengh at the point you heated them but it should not be enough to worry you. If you can get allthread and gas torch from work it would be both cheap and you could do a practice one to test for strength first if you were worried about how it will hold up.
I should have added that I agree with archangel. Go a little over size with u bolts and headboards and the like just to be on the safe side in the worst of circumstances.
I should have added that I agree with archangel. Go a little over size with u bolts and headboards and the like just to be on the safe side in the worst of circumstances.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2009
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well on another note, ive been working on getting my new LED tailights wired... im not an electrician, BUT... the stop lights work, the parking lights work, the flashers work, BUT neither of the turn signals work, i am suspecting the turn signal switch in the column... anyone else have any suggestions???
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2009
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thanks dave, i will try that. i forgot to mention also, that before i took the old lights off they had the same problem.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
With all the deer we have here now, that bumper would probably be a good idea here as well.
5:30 this afternoon traveling up the interstate at 70 MPH in rather heavy traffic, there was a nice one standing 20 feet off the highway.
How much does an average Roo weigh?
5:30 this afternoon traveling up the interstate at 70 MPH in rather heavy traffic, there was a nice one standing 20 feet off the highway.
How much does an average Roo weigh?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 319
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From: Western Australia
The size of the average roo varies on breed and age but a good size buck might be in excess of 100 kg. The problem is that in the summer they come to the road verges because it is so dry that is the only place where any grass grows. Also they are most active in the night time so you get less chance to see them and your spotlights stun them so they won't get out of the way. Bigger trucks and semi's have bull bars and I've seen roadkill as big as water buffalo and feral camels but generally also road kill Kenworth at the same time.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
So a roo and a deer are about the same field weight.
Deer are also most active at night, and just like the roo some freeze, some freak out and run, but you never know which direction they will run in.
Big problem with deer, so many people, so many deer, sharing the same ground for so long that the deer have lost the fear of man.
I have one under my deck almost every night and many mornings they are bedded down in my yard under the pine trees.
A semi usually does a number on the deer, but every once in a while the deer does a number on the semi if it takes out the radiator.
Deer are also most active at night, and just like the roo some freeze, some freak out and run, but you never know which direction they will run in.
Big problem with deer, so many people, so many deer, sharing the same ground for so long that the deer have lost the fear of man.
I have one under my deck almost every night and many mornings they are bedded down in my yard under the pine trees.
A semi usually does a number on the deer, but every once in a while the deer does a number on the semi if it takes out the radiator.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,255
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From: Sweet Home, OR
I've built some bumpers similar to that but I don't have a tubing bender (yet!) so they weren't as nice. I have had to get creative with making 45*s and work them into the desighn so I don't just have 90* angles everywhere.
I love fabricating bumpers though.
My Dodge had a nice solid winch bumper on it that is right at "center-of-mass on the average Mule-deer or Black-tail and they just hit, pop and bounce off. It sure makes a mess of the truck though; crap, blood and hair all over. I've only hit two as I try to avoid them, there's no need to kill a deer and just have it rot along-side of the road.
I'm still going to come and steal yours for my '94 IDI though.
I love fabricating bumpers though.
My Dodge had a nice solid winch bumper on it that is right at "center-of-mass on the average Mule-deer or Black-tail and they just hit, pop and bounce off. It sure makes a mess of the truck though; crap, blood and hair all over. I've only hit two as I try to avoid them, there's no need to kill a deer and just have it rot along-side of the road.
I'm still going to come and steal yours for my '94 IDI though.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,255
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From: Sweet Home, OR
well on another note, ive been working on getting my new LED tailights wired... im not an electrician, BUT... the stop lights work, the parking lights work, the flashers work, BUT neither of the turn signals work, i am suspecting the turn signal switch in the column... anyone else have any suggestions???
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 69
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ahh haa! i will check that first, thanks dave!
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 69
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okay, what i found... the relay mounted on the front of the fuse panel is the one for the turn signals... i found mine good, but had no power on either side of the relay... the 15 amp fuse located above the relay powers the relay...
i had a blown fuse.
i had a blown fuse.