[YJ fanatic]

Hey guys, I'm about to build a swing down tire carrier for my YJ. I'm thinking of using 1.75" or 2" square tubing. What wall thickness would you use? I'm thinking 3/16". Thanks

 

[chevymad]

I built mine with 2x3x0.120 3/16s would be pretty heavy I'd think.

 

[YJ fanatic]

I was thinking about 1/8", but I figured it'd be too thin. Especially holding up a 35" tire.

 

[Crashzx6r]

1/4 or better

 

[jeepers29]

I would say 3/16 min., but would try to use 1/4. IMHO

 

[YJ fanatic]

I'm tying into the bumper that I have now, which is 1/4". I'm just building the part that swings down, so I don't think I'd need 1/4". That'd be really heavy. I was thinking 3/16" but 1/8" might work.

 

[chevymad]

Overkill is nice.. but even an engine hoist isn't built with that heavy a material. We have an extremely heavy hoist at work rated for 7k lbs and its made with 3/16 material.

 

[harleydragon]

1/8 is enough

 

[GoldenSahara00]

With square tubing the 1/8 is enough if you can properly weld material of that thickness. A lot of people can't and will make the weld point on the thinner metal the weak point.

 

[harleydragon]

With square tubing the 1/8 is enough if you can properly weld material of that thickness. A lot of people can't and will make the weld point on the thinner metal the weak point.

any even halfass welder shouldn't have a problem with 1/8 inch steel

 

[GoldenSahara00]

any even halfass welder shouldn't have a problem with 1/8 inch steel

I've seen some dumbasses cut through some pretty thick steel. If he burns through it half way he's left with sheet metal :rofl:

 

[YJ fanatic]

Thanks guys. If it ends up that I can't weld it, I know a few people that can. And 1/8 will save me some money.

 

[YJ fanatic]

I've seen some dumbasses cut through some pretty thick steel. If he burns through it half way he's left with sheet metal :rofl:

Yeah, so have I. I grew up in a body shop, so I'm used to thin metal. So what O.D. would you guys recommend? Would 1.75" or 2" be better?

 

[GoldenSahara00]

I'd do 2" OD 1/8 wall should be fine. A monkey should be able to weld it, at least that's what the old timers told me :rofl:

 

[harleydragon]

I'd do 2" OD 1/8 wall should be fine. A monkey should be able to weld it, at least that's what the old timers told me :rofl:

exactly..2 inch will be plenty strong and will have a beefy look too

 

[YJ fanatic]

Ok, that's what I'll use. Now what size bolts/pins should I use for hinges? I had the idea to use 5/8" ones because I could use hitch pins. They'd be more than strong enough, right?

 

[harleydragon]

yes,plenty strong..grade 8, 3/8 would be plenty strong but 5/8 is cool if that is what you like

 

[jsuggs]

0.95 thick 2in tubing should be more than strong enough. At work we use that to mount 120gal water tanks in vans, with no issues. I would reinforce where the hinge pins go with 1/8in bar, top and bottom, that will be the weakest part. For the hinge pins I would go with 1/2in, just because there are a lot of 1/2in unibits that will drill threw it faster than a regular bit will with no pilot hole needed. Or if you want you could drill 1/2 holes and use 3/8 bronze or brass bushings to make it swing easy.

That is the best thing of fabricating your own parts. You get exactly what you want and no one else has one exactly like it.

Best of luck

Jeremy

ASE Master Auto Tech

 

[YJ fanatic]

I think I'm going to use YJ spring bushings for the hinge bushings, then use 1/2" pins for the top 2 hinges and 1/2" grade 8 bolts for the bottom 2 hinges since they don't need to come out as easy.

 

[nyvulcanman]

main bumper should be at least 3/16 thickness, and the swing-out can be built out of 1/8 wall. that would be strong enough hold a 35 inch tire with no problem
just add some gussets in certain spots.