TUBE BARS

[splodge]

I am going to try & build a tube front bar for my Maverick. Anyone got any suggestions or ideas on tube size or any photos that might be a good design. I have not got a winch but like the look of them anyway. Yes I saw Gut's Hilux & Otis.

[Guts]

There is more work in building a GOOD looking tube bar then you think.

The one on my lux took about 60hrs + to get write and that was with all the right tools, eg bender, notcher, etc.

If you are in Melbourne just go and see cheezy.

[nischev]

I am in the process of building a front bar for my MQ patrol. I made the centre section similar to a standard bullbar with the bottom sloping down and finishing at the edge of the springs so that if I have to slide it up something it slides straight onto the spring rather than hitting the shackle, across the top I have used 2 1/4 " pipe to the outer edges of the gaurds then I am having 2" pipe coming from the bottom fold up on an angle joining onto the top pipe. Doing this I can fit a winch but the bar sits 120mm closer to the front of the truck than my ARB winch bar and fills in the gap left by the body lift nicely and lookspretty good as well(if I do say so myself).

[splodge]

Thanks guys I am going to either find someone with a bender & a notcher or I will work out what I want then hire one & do it myself. I have the welding gear so thats not a problem.

[OzJeeper]

Hmmm.
Have the welder? At least a 240Mig is whats needed for a job like this.
I'm assuming you want to use 43mmID medium pipe for this application so the Mig is the only beast that will effectively join this material.
Best of luck finding a bender under $400 with well fitting formers to bend this type of tube. If you must, use gal pipe - it bends easier. And will bend easier when "skidding over objects".
Notching is easy. buy a 51mm hole saw and a decent bench drill, one that rotates at 220 rpm - otherwise kiss the hole saw goodbye.
Buy in lots of tube as there will be a few mistakes made when bending and general fabrication.

When it's all finished stand back and admire the thing of beauty. Nothing is more pleasing than to stand back and admire one's own handywork!

Just remember the good feeling when your insurance company knocks you back on a claim because the front bar wasn't engineered and plaqued....

just my 2c worth - just to stir the thinking juices....

[luke]

mate last months 4x4 monthly had them for mav/pat in the back of it. M&M engineering make them out of windsor. look them up they might help

[wazhere]

Go to www.macquarie4x4.com.au they have tube bars for GU&GQ

[Humpy#2]

Have a look at the tube bar on Silver splash, GQ shorty, in 4wd Monthly No. 60. Best looking bar I've ever seen for a Patrol. Better than those ARB things that hang way out the front, and arrive at their destination 2 hours before the rest of the vehicle.

[DIRTY]

Posted by: Guts Posted on: January 04, 2004, 04:48:27 PM
There is more work in building a GOOD looking tube bar then you think.

The one on my lux took about 60hrs + to get write and that was with all the right tools, eg bender, notcher, etc.

If you are in Melbourne just go and see cheezy.


Any idea if he would do a similar bar for a zook?

Also, is his work expensive?

[Guts]

As far as I know he will, no harm in asking.

Depends on the tube you want it made out of, the good stuff will add to the price.