Fabrication Resource

[Jhollowell]

Hey guys, I know a lot of us like to do our own mods and come up with custom parts for our trucks so i thought i'd share a good resource i found for simple parts. I recently made some plates to box out my frame at the LCA attachments to keep the flanges from bending if i hit a rock or something. I was able to make the plates myself but if you don't have access to a CNC plasma this website is pretty handy. Send Cut Send All you have to do is send them a DXF or some 2D file and they'll get you an instant quote. Might be useful for mounting plates or gussets or any flat pattern design. I'm a designer by profession so if anyone needs something drawn up i'm happy to help out

 

[NateMob]

How do your plates differ from the offerings from RPG and Evil?

 

[Jhollowell]

My plates are welded on the bottom of the frame, turning the cross section from a "C" to a Box. The other plates i've seen only increase the thickness of the vertical flanges which requires you to remove the LCA's and then do an alignment. My plates don't require any removal so i could do everything myself

 

[NateMob]

My plates are welded on the bottom of the frame, turning the cross section from a "C" to a Box. The other plates i've seen only increase the thickness of the vertical flanges which requires you to remove the LCA's and then do an alignment. My plates don't require any removal so i could do everything myself

Ohhhhkay. Cool, post up pictures when you get them in! @Jakenbake did something similar using tube to strengthen the pockets.

 

[Jhollowell]

Here’s a few pics of the plates. No making fun of my welds though. I know it’s not pretty or perfect but it should be stronger than an open C.
The rear plate i welded the inbd half and then hit it with a hammer to conform around the frame. I think it looks decent for not really having good access to weld, even with the truck on a lift. I still had to crouch and bend to be able to see what i was doing

 

[NateMob]

Still not what i was picturing after reading your post but thats even better! I never understood why more people didnt tie the front and rear flanges together.

Dont worry about your welds, everyone is a welder online. Most will never know the aggravation of welding overhead, fighting the puddle sag and getting burned the entire time. haha! Props to you for going for it and using your noodle to engineer a solution!

 

[Jhollowell]

Thanks man!! Yeah was not easy to weld but in the end it cost me $47 and an hour of my time so it was well worth it to me

 

[IDI-Charlie]

Very nice! Always like to see some DIY designs. I did the same for my LCA reinforcements after I bent my tabs - not only was my supplier a lot cheaper than what is on the market, but you get to say you designed those parts yourself!

 

[rschap1]

Congrats!

 

[Hollowellreid]

Looks great, I too have a Gen 1 raptor and I think we share an uncommon last name!