Step one. Bought the van.
Hello Everybody, First post. I camp a lot in tents but after spending three days straight in a tent in the rain at Dolly Sods I swore I'd make a change. Here it is. Bought it Wednesday. Dro...
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Hey Dale662. I thought the same thing.
Tire Carrier continued:
With the new hinges done and the van door on sawhorses I started cutting and laying out the pieces of square tube for the carrier.
I'm lining up each of the square tubes so it is centered over one of the two holes already drilled in the door.
Where the two pieces meet near the door edge will be reinforce it with a section of 1-1/4" angle iron.
Cut the angle iron to fit. Use a grinder with a wire wheel to clean off this and the other steel pieces before welding.
I wanted the alignment of everything to be just right so I carefully set it all up on the door. Then use the welder to tack weld the pieces together. I couldn't do the actual welding over the door because I'd drop hot metal sparks onto the paint and mark it up.
Gently move the tack welded pieces to the work table and complete the welding.
While waiting for the welds to cool put the rear door back on the van. Take the carrier and mount it on the hinges.
The carrier fit perfect. It swung back and forth smoothly and without any wobble. To test it I started lifting and putting my weight on it till I got the van rocking.
The door also moved without binding or wobble. The carrier and door pivoted together without any shifting movement between them.
To say I was very pleased is a understatement.
continued -
Tire Carrier continued:
With the new hinges done and the van door on sawhorses I started cutting and laying out the pieces of square tube for the carrier.
I'm lining up each of the square tubes so it is centered over one of the two holes already drilled in the door.
Where the two pieces meet near the door edge will be reinforce it with a section of 1-1/4" angle iron.
Cut the angle iron to fit. Use a grinder with a wire wheel to clean off this and the other steel pieces before welding.
I wanted the alignment of everything to be just right so I carefully set it all up on the door. Then use the welder to tack weld the pieces together. I couldn't do the actual welding over the door because I'd drop hot metal sparks onto the paint and mark it up.
Gently move the tack welded pieces to the work table and complete the welding.
While waiting for the welds to cool put the rear door back on the van. Take the carrier and mount it on the hinges.
The carrier fit perfect. It swung back and forth smoothly and without any wobble. To test it I started lifting and putting my weight on it till I got the van rocking.
The door also moved without binding or wobble. The carrier and door pivoted together without any shifting movement between them.
To say I was very pleased is a understatement.
continued -
