Fabbing up a rear bar

[raqmup]

Hi guys, I posted this in the Jeep section as well, however, not all zook members browse there and I need a lil' help. Does anyone have cad diagrams or info on how to build rear bars like these- they're great as they are, except it's not going on a jeep and I'll need to get one similar fabbed up to fit my sierra I know it's a far fetched question- however, I assume some OL guys work for Arb/fab workshops and may have access to such info Also, if anyone's done one- what sorta $'s were involved (material &/or labour)? The non-Arb bar is from the states by a co. called 'Jeeperman'. Thanks if anyone can help

[Gwagensteve]

I think those ARB bars are in the $2K mark, and based on quality of construction and materials, I wouldn't want to do it for that.

Have a chat to cheezy in relation to price for a custom rear bar, then you will have an idea of what the going rate is.

These fabricated bars are very labour intensive to get looking right. they really depend on jigs etc to control fit and quality.

A possible starting point is an ARB Sierra bullbar with the hoops cut off, at least then you don't have to do all the shaping.

ARB will not release their drawings - thee are their intellectual property. ARB run laser cutting and computerised bending, trying to replicate this on a one off basis will be very expensive, far dearer than buying an ARB bar as the development cost is spread across of thousands of production versions.

PS lots of US gear is not durable enough for the australian market, and if you keep looking at jeeps for inspiration, you'll go blind

Steve.

[nicbeer]

This is mine on the zook with rear swing away on a trailer stub pivot.





easy to mod to have the corners and flashy bits if u are handy with a welder.

Nic

[raqmup]

A possible starting point is an ARB Sierra bullbar with the hoops cut off, at least then you don't have to do all the shaping.
ARB will not release their drawings - thee are their intellectual property. ARB run laser cutting and computerised bending, trying to replicate this on a one off basis will be very expensive, far dearer than buying an ARB bar as the development cost is spread across of thousands of production versions.

PS lots of US gear is not durable enough for the australian market, and if you keep looking at jeeps for inspiration, you'll go blind

Steve.

Cheers Steve, the std Arb bullbar (non-winch version) would be a good start I guess for shape etc. Anyone got pics of one fitted up or a finished one? Thought of that concept a while ago, just like the look of the Jeep bars is all I realise Arb wouldn't let their schematic drawings out- was just a 'rock in the pond' hope that someone may have 'stunbled' across one
Jeep wise- yeah, I know I'm looking at the dark side there- they just have neat looking gear that gives me ideas to use on the zook when all else fails.

Thanks for the pics nick, nice work there bud! I intend to have a crack at this myself before I go paying someone to do it for me So, the more ideas the better the result will be- I hope!

[grimbo]

or you could use one of these if it is tyre carrying ability you are after



http://www.tiregate.com/hg.shtml

[raqmup]

Thanks Greame, nah- need a rear bar to replace the std sierra bar, wheel carrier would be nice addition to it as well. Want to make a strong steel bar to take knocks, use the hi-lift on and recover from. Want to use led strip lights in the bar as well to replace the OE incandecsant lamps.

[Toecutta]

Something like this?

[raqmup]

Right on the money toecutta! Thanks champ! All but the corner edges to curve around for a bit of tail protection which could be easily added/welded on. A combo of a few ideas might be a good end result.

What sort of latching devices have you fellas used to lock the carrier in place that don't rattle after 6 months of use?
I liked the idea of the Arb bar cut down and used as a rear bar and adding a swing arm to it like the carrier on the bar that Toecutta put up as an idea.

If I recall correctly, didn't Liam from BBM have that setup but with winch 'n all...? Does he post on OL at all 'cause I'd like to know what mods he needed to do to fit it, i.e. fabbed mounts and to where on the chassis they were tied/welded to and any cutting down of the center section to make it 'level' across the back of the bar to fit flush etc... Obviously some steel plating would have been required to cover some of the gaps/holes from the hoops being lopped off- are there any pics of the fab work or close ups of the bar itself?

Cheers, Mike

[Kitika]

I finished off my swinging rear bar on the weekend and it was a biggggg job to get it all to work and was spread over many weekends. I went for a really simple, really strong drop in pin latch because i've seen my mates clip type wear out fairly fast and begin to rattle on his pootrol. I mounted mine onto the chassis rail and onto the 2 rear body bolts so i've got 6 sturdy mounting points but i still wouldnt use it for snatching... i put proper recovery hooks onto chassis underneath for that

[nicbeer]

kitika - u got any pics of the recovery mounts?

Raqmup- mine modded for a 2" BL but ties into under the chassis where the towbar bolts on with a bit of 10mm plate on either side with 4 bolts total. and then on the top ties in to the rear body mounts.

i can gets pics during week if needed.

And def highliftable.

Also for the pic i am using the same as this

[just cruizin']

For the latch I would go the biggest over centre latch you can get. The style of thing Kaymar and Opposite Lock use on theirs. The barrel bolt type will drive you made, doesn't matter what you do. Need something that physically pulls the arm in not just hold it in.

[Kitika]

kitika - u got any pics of the recovery mounts?

I'll take a heap of pics this weekend to share. The recovery hooks are those $15 plain black ones rated for 10,000 lbs which i've welded onto the underneath of the chassis and then having one of the bolts come up all the way thru the hook and thru the original tow bar holes to mount my new rear bar which has the nuts welded onto that. I hope that makes sense without the pictures.
Also i donno how legal it is to weld the hooks onto the chassis is but IMHO its alot stronger and is the easiest way to mount them onto the rear

[raqmup]

Thanks for all your input so far fellas! Nic- I'm interested in how you've mounted your bar, btw, what am I looking for in the pic of the trailer- I must be blind Yours sounds good to Kitika- don't mind putting the time in to make it 'right'.
The hooks under the chassis sounds a bit stronger- I can see the logic in that. My only concern with them under the Sierra is when it's door handle deep in mud trying to find one to loop a strap onto (or I could always pre-attach the strap if I thought I wasn't going to make it the 1st time- eh!) If, for instance, I strengthened the eyelets on the bar, mirroring the shape of the eyelet with some 5mm plate either side of both points on the bar and mounted the bar 'super solid'- would that be strong enough for basic recovery or still not really?
In regard to the latch- yep, I agree, the over center latches that actually pull the arm 'in' rather than just 'click' shut are the go fo' sure! I've noticed a few of my mates ones start rattling after a while on the cruiser style ones that they've paid through the nose for... Any pics of the latching/pin systems you guys have done- all your help is much appreciated

Btw, these are the lights I intend to use on the rear bar (ADR is pending before anyone asks...hehe!) : http://www.ledautolamps.com/product_striplamp.htm

[raqmup]

Found some pics of some of the things I'm kinda looking for...

Is this the sort of latch you mean? May be a bit beefier, but this style?


And I think this is the sierra bar on Liams zook or ex-zook (think he sold it...)
Interested to see what was done to make it fit properly- wouldn't need the winch though, too much for me!

[Potter]

should have read above posts

[sierrajim]

Universal Engineering is probably the best place for your latches and catches. They used to be on Rushdale St in Knoxfield but have moved elsewhere.

[raqmup]

Isnt that a cut down ARB bar?

I found one other example of it while I've been digging around- yes, I believe it is a cut down Arb bar

[raqmup]

Universal Engineering is probably the best place for your latches and catches. They used to be on Rushdale St in Knoxfield but have moved elsewhere.

Cheers James, I'll give 'em a go

[Kitika]

Alright i managed to borrow a camera but its dark so sorry for the pic quality!





Sorry about the mud i found a little puddle to play in after i tuned my carbie
The bar is made of 90x90 rhs and hiding under the cut down stock plastic bumper sidepanel thingos is a piece of angle iron for when i make my rollcage come roofrack to mount to.

[raqmup]

Thanks Kitika- neat lookin' bar & appreciate the pics.
P.s. If you want pics to show up on the forum through photobucket, copy the 'IMG code' by just left clicking on it which is the 3rd selection under each picture in your album and paste it into your message like you would normally.
I think I'm sold on the idea of the Arb bullbar concept as a rear bar and add a swing arm to that etc. I'm thinking about plating the top of the bar after I cut the hoops off with some 3 or 4mm steel. The whole thing will be blasted and powdercoated when it's done anyway. I'll most likely cut and shut the winch opening unless there was a non-winch version produced by Arb for the sierra's? Thoughts?

[sanger]

I had a non winch arb bar on my zook when i bought it so that wont be a prob but for the money i would just fab my own. My 2c

[nicbeer]

Yep. there was a non winch version out there, thats what i have on mine.

[raqmup]

I had a non winch arb bar on my zook when i bought it so that wont be a prob but for the money i would just fab my own. My 2c

Looking at 2nd hand ones Sanger, in wanted section atm. Bent hoops, scratched, chipped- just straight bottom section. Looking for one someone doesn't have a use for anymore or one that's bent in the top etc for not a lot of $'s.
Just thinking of using it as a base to start from if that makes sense.

[sanger]

I had a non winch arb bar on my zook when i bought it so that wont be a prob but for the money i would just fab my own. My 2c

Looking at 2nd hand ones Sanger, in wanted section atm. Bent hoops, scratched, chipped- just straight bottom section. Looking for one someone doesn't have a use for anymore or one that's bent in the top etc for not a lot of $'s.
Just thinking of using it as a base to start from if that makes sense.

I understand what you mean and i think it would look beefy and clean but heck i sold mine on ebay for $350 and it wasnt even straight. If it were me i'd get some fairly big rhs or c channel and make your own. It wouldt be all that difficult and you save $$$ in my opinion.

[raqmup]

Rhs & C channel are an option still at this point and sit well in the low cost catagory, hence I'm weighing up all options atm like price vs. funtionality vs. asthetics/looks. I've got a few good contacts at truck body builders and engineering/fab shops that I deal with on a regular basis, so that will provide a few options on the fabrication work (i.e. laser cutting, sheet bending etc) if required. The suggestions and help has been great, so far, from you all.

[hyzook]

Here is my bar and carrier, its C-channel shaped to match the origonal bar as I like things to look as factory as possible.

[raqmup]

kitika - u got any pics of the recovery mounts?

Raqmup- mine modded for a 2" BL but ties into under the chassis where the towbar bolts on with a bit of 10mm plate on either side with 4 bolts total. and then on the top ties in to the rear body mounts.

i can gets pics during week if needed.

And def highliftable.

How'd you go with other pics Nick? Interested to see 'em

[nicbeer]

oops. i forgot. will get em tonight as going to some work on the zook.

Nic

[raqmup]

Np Nick, appreciate the pics when you get time, cheers.

[nicbeer]

Pics.