Project EconoTow
+28
Bigred69
460pulling
jeffgfg
dave d
fatal addiction
maverick
cool40
Dave C.
Mike R
QtrWarrior
bigblok2000ranger
jbozzelle
69F100
jasonf
bruno
res0rli9
prosandguy
dfree383
bbf-falcon
72mav
schmitty
bosshoss
richter69
Lem Evans
lghting94
61coon
DILLIGASDAVE
Doug Rahn
32 posters
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Re: Project EconoTow
69F100 December 3rd 2013, 12:57 am
I was in the trailer building business for 19 years with Pace American and built a lot of custom stuff for them and learned to look for all the small things on how bolts are facing, brackets and things. I like building things like you are doing just don't have time anymore or a place to do it. If I ever finish the Ranger I going to build me a shop and start on my 69 F100 restoring/doing some custom work on it again for the 3rd time just maybe I will finish it this time from start to finish.
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Re: Project EconoTow
Doug Rahn December 6th 2013, 1:35 pm
I figured out how far the outer fenders need to stick out and I really lucked out. The fenders came with an upturned flange and I thought I would probably be cutting that off, nope. As it turned out they where exactly in the correct spot. I cut some 1/4 flat with the fender radius and welded that to the framework, drilled and tapped it for some screws. The screws that are in there now are temporary, I have to get some shorter ones when the tread plate skin is on. Next I'll get some .090 sheet and run that through a slip roll to make the inner piece, and flush rivet the two together with a lap joint. I wonder where I can find some rivets at 
?
?
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Re: Project EconoTow
jasonf December 6th 2013, 9:11 pm
Those are cool, where did you get those fenders?
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Re: Project EconoTow
QtrWarrior December 6th 2013, 9:47 pm
Are you qualified to install rivets and who is going to inspect them ???? 
Also, are they Hi-horsepower rated ??
Also, are they Hi-horsepower rated ??
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Mike R- Posts : 1381
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Re: Project EconoTow
Doug Rahn December 7th 2013, 7:50 am
The fenders came from here, http://www.trailerpartsstore.com/home.phpjasonf wrote:Those are cool, where did you get those fenders?
I'll figure out somethingQtrWarrior wrote:Are you qualified to install rivets and who is going to inspect them ????
Also, are they Hi-horsepower rated ??
Yes they are high high horsepower rated, 30,770 lbs. of thrust with a max altitude of 51,000 ft. and a cruise speed of Mach .80!
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Re: Project EconoTow
maverick December 8th 2013, 1:16 pm
Since this is a tow rig, you may have trouble finding trailer tires with that kind of speed rating.
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Re: Project EconoTow
Doug Rahn December 23rd 2013, 6:06 am
After spending the past couple of days fixing my daily driver, I stayed out in the shop late last night and finished framework for the fender and tool box on the drivers side. Next I'll take the whole thing off and flip it over to weld up all of the joints. After that we'll mount the cab then I can build the lift up deck over the engine.
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Re: Project EconoTow
Mike R December 23rd 2013, 9:37 pm
This thing is just sick. You have mad fab skills Doug, I can't wait to see the finished truck.
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Re: Project EconoTow
Doug Rahn December 24th 2013, 5:47 am
Mike R wrote:This thing is just sick. You have mad fab skills Doug, I can't wait to see the finished truck.
Thank you very much!
I finished up the drawing for the next section of the deck, the engine cover and spare tire storage. Since the spare will be stored over the engine, it would be pretty heavy to lift by hand so I'm using some pneumatic cylinders to handle that load. I had considered using gas struts but since the load in the upper box could vary from time to time, I figured pneumatic cylinders would be the best option especially since I'll have a big on board air compressor to handle the suspension and the train
horns.
This thing continually morphs as I get further along on the build, but I think this is what it will ultimately look like.
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Re: Project EconoTow
bbf-falcon December 24th 2013, 6:25 am
I can't wait too see this thing finished.looking nice doug.
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Re: Project EconoTow
Doug Rahn January 19th 2014, 1:47 pm
This morning I managed to get one of the doors and door frame fabricated and welded for the side boxes. I made the door frame from 1"x1" x 1/8" thick "Z" bar and the door itself is made from 3/4" channel and .100 diamond plate. As soon a Uncle Sam sends me my money I'll get the rest of the diamond plate for the deck.
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Re: Project EconoTow
69F100 January 23rd 2014, 12:47 am
Doug Rahn wrote:This morning I managed to get one of the doors and door frame fabricated and welded for the side boxes. I made the door frame from 1"x1" x 1/8" thick "Z" bar and the door itself is made from 3/4" channel and .100 diamond plate. As soon a Uncle Sam sends me my money I'll get the rest of the diamond plate for the deck.
Doug if you going to use piano hinge get the stainless steel hinge the aluminum hinge will not hold up the aluminum will sag after a little time and use stainless rivets the aluminum rivets the heads will pop off. Just things I learned while working at Pace replacing baggage doors and gen doors. Oh ya good looking door
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Re: Project EconoTow
Doug Rahn January 24th 2014, 5:31 am
[quote="69F100"]
True that! I got a 6ft piece of stainless hinge from McMaster Carr and I'll be attaching that with 100* screws to make removal easier later if necessary.
Doug Rahn wrote:This morning I managed to get one of the doors and door frame fabricated and welded for the side boxes. I made the door frame from 1"x1" x 1/8" thick "Z" bar and the door itself is made from 3/4" channel and .100 diamond plate. As soon a Uncle Sam sends me my money I'll get the rest of the diamond plate for the deck.
Doug if you going to use piano hinge get the stainless steel hinge the aluminum hinge will not hold up the aluminum will sag after a little time and use stainless rivets the aluminum rivets the heads will pop off. Just things I learned while working at Pace replacing baggage doors and gen doors. Oh ya good looking door
True that! I got a 6ft piece of stainless hinge from McMaster Carr and I'll be attaching that with 100* screws to make removal easier later if necessary.
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Re: Project EconoTow
69F100 January 24th 2014, 1:43 pm
Doug Rahn wrote:69F100 wrote:Doug Rahn wrote:This morning I managed to get one of the doors and door frame fabricated and welded for the side boxes. I made the door frame from 1"x1" x 1/8" thick "Z" bar and the door itself is made from 3/4" channel and .100 diamond plate. As soon a Uncle Sam sends me my money I'll get the rest of the diamond plate for the deck.
Doug if you going to use piano hinge get the stainless steel hinge the aluminum hinge will not hold up the aluminum will sag after a little time and use stainless rivets the aluminum rivets the heads will pop off. Just things I learned while working at Pace replacing baggage doors and gen doors. Oh ya good looking door
True that! I got a 6ft piece of stainless hinge from McMaster Carr and I'll be attaching that with 100* screws to make removal easier later if necessary.
Use some blue Loc-tite on them the screws tend to loosen up over time if you use the red you will brake the heads off before you get them out.
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Re: Project EconoTow
Doug Rahn February 9th 2014, 11:01 am
I haven't been able to work on it much lately, but I did go out this morning and finished one door by getting the hinge and gas struts mounted. I temporarily clamped it in place where it will be mounted, works as planned! Need to get some paddle latches with key locks. I did work out the geometry so when the door closes the strut is over center and holds the door closed just it case it's not latched.
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Re: Project EconoTow
69F100 February 12th 2014, 1:20 am
Doug if you have any RV or cargo trailer dealers around you they may have the door latches in stock I have also used the locks from the local hardware store for cabinets/toolboxes on baggage doors on cargo trailer baggage doors made like yours.
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Re: Project EconoTow
Doug Rahn February 14th 2014, 1:49 pm
69F100 wrote:Doug if you have any RV or cargo trailer dealers around you they may have the door latches in stock I have also used the locks from the local hardware store for cabinets/toolboxes on baggage doors on cargo trailer baggage doors made like yours.
I got some nice stainless steel paddle latches from E Trailer they sell as a replacement for UWS truck boxes.
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Re: Project EconoTow
DILLIGASDAVE March 8th 2014, 8:13 pm
Damn cool . Is the diamond plate going to be polished or coated with anything?
. Is the diamond plate going to be polished or coated with anything? 
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Re: Project EconoTow
Doug Rahn March 9th 2014, 5:07 am
It came already polished, but when the build is done I'll buff it some more then treat it with some Sharkhide. Best metal protectant I've came across.
On things like Motorcycles, Street Rods, Aircraft and other things that see limited fair weather use, it's not uncommon to get 6 or more years of protection
between coats. On heavily used things like Big rigs, Dump trailers, Fire and Rescue equipment, you may need to re coat every 1 to 4 years. On boats that are kept
on the trailer, or on a lift, it's not uncommon to get 3 to 5 years of protection. If you leave your boat in the slip all season long, from the water line down, it may last
a month, or it may last a couple of years. There are just too many variables such as water conditions and content, as well as severity of marine growth etc.
But from the water line up, you can expect the same protection as any other boat.
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Re: Project EconoTow
jeffgfg March 9th 2014, 10:19 am
Simply awesome. That is some mad fab skills!!! Can't wait to see the final product!!
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Re: Project EconoTow
Doug Rahn March 9th 2014, 11:52 am
Thank you all very much! I was going to wait until the end of the build to get the fifth wheel, but I got one hell of a deal on one plus I needed to know for sure it was going to plug in to the mounts without any issues before I got to far along. Bingo, it fit perfect just like my CAD drawing.
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