Hitch custom fabrication

Jump to: navigation, search
Line 3: Line 3:
 
For example; I have an '84 Trans Am, a '79 Chevy C-20, and an '06 GMC Sierra. I had no trouble finding a new Curt class 5 for my '06, at $168 delivered. Great. What about my '79? Since that chassis continued through 1990, I found a Reese for $270, delivered. Ouch. And my car? I found a new Curt, but only rated to half as much as my car is rated to tow.  
 
For example; I have an '84 Trans Am, a '79 Chevy C-20, and an '06 GMC Sierra. I had no trouble finding a new Curt class 5 for my '06, at $168 delivered. Great. What about my '79? Since that chassis continued through 1990, I found a Reese for $270, delivered. Ouch. And my car? I found a new Curt, but only rated to half as much as my car is rated to tow.  
  
I added all 3 costs, then decided I could buy a welder and the steel for much less. Pics next month.  
+
I added all 3 costs, then decided I could buy a welder and the steel for much less.  
 +
 
 +
Pics next month.  
 +
 
 
Read everything I've typed before starting.  
 
Read everything I've typed before starting.  
 +
 
First was a bit of cardboard, a sharpie, and some scissors. Use this to make templates. To do this, you need to know that you'll be using square steel tubing, which is commonly sized by the outside measurements. And the minimum measurement you'll be using is 2.5" My pickups are using 3" for the cross-tube. Your side-plates will be 1/4"-thick. Don't forget plenty of gussets. Also, you need at least 3/8" clearance everywhere, as the heat of welding will distort the cross-tube, by a full 1/4" in the case of my '06.
 
First was a bit of cardboard, a sharpie, and some scissors. Use this to make templates. To do this, you need to know that you'll be using square steel tubing, which is commonly sized by the outside measurements. And the minimum measurement you'll be using is 2.5" My pickups are using 3" for the cross-tube. Your side-plates will be 1/4"-thick. Don't forget plenty of gussets. Also, you need at least 3/8" clearance everywhere, as the heat of welding will distort the cross-tube, by a full 1/4" in the case of my '06.
  

Revision as of 23:16, 31 December 2011

Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Navigation
Categories
Toolbox