Need welding help too...

[Yanman]

Not sure if I'm posting this in the right spot or if I should go the the Northern HOW thread, but here goes:

I just got in some frame reinforcements from DeMello and I was wondering if anyone out there could help me weld them onto my frame some weekend?

I have zero welding experience but I know that I want a 3/16" fillet weld or equivalent all around the reinforcements. Or whatever would be a good strong weld to hold the reinforcements and add the structural benifit.

Here is a link in case you don't know what they look like:

http://www.demello-offroad.com//catalog/product_info.php?cPath=27_60&products_id=108&osCsid=710e78eefab83c351e73d1e3ababe7a8

This would be a great chance for me to meet some of you guys and gals.

Thanks!

[Quick Draw]

I can do it. It'll be arc welded, but I can make it look nice. I weld Monday - Friday for 3 hours a day...so I can guarantee it will be quality. I'm in Arvada about 86th and Simms.

[Quick Draw]

Oh and your choice of rods:

6011 for a beautiful stack of dimes look, and good strong weld. 60,000 pounds/square inch tensil strength

7018 for a very flat, smooth weld that's a little stronger at 70,000 psi tensil strength

I can never decide on my truck....but I go with 6011 most of the time just because the welds look really cool to me. But the 7018 is more smooth and doesn't stand out as a weld as much.

For this application I would recommend the 6011 because the frame plates are not designed in such a way that tensil strength will be as important. Plus the 6011 rod is cheaper.

[Yanman]

Excellent!

How much are the 6011 rods compared to the 7018 rods?

Also, and of course I know It is hard to tell without having the rails in your hands, but how many rods will I need?

[RedRunnertc]

If you can't hook up with Kyle, I'd be happy to weld them for ya.

You can save a lot of time by doing the prep work up front, having all the weld surfaces ground to shiny metal. Note that the circles are cut there for more weld area - you need to clean up those areas too.

[Quick Draw]

Excellent!

How much are the 6011 rods compared to the 7018 rods?

Also, and of course I know It is hard to tell without having the rails in your hands, but how many rods will I need?

For a 5 pound box, its about 3-4 dollars more for 7018. Generally a rod is good for approximately 6" of weld about 3/8" across. I should have more than enough to get it done. I've got a canister packed with them.

It's hard to say right now just how much will be needed, but I would appreciate just a few bucks to reimburse for the rods. The boxes are usually $10 for 5 lbs, so they're cheap, but still cost money.

[Yanman]

Sweet.

OK now the question is what weekend works best for either of you?

I'd prefer Saturdays, but if Sundays work better, then thats why they invented DVRs.

I guess whomever can do it the earliest gets to meet me first, and get a shot at some brewskies. Oh and what kind of beer do you guys like, that is if you like beer. I can't stand the stuff.

[Lysmachia]

Blue Moon Please :D

LOL We can do saturday no prob. Though I shouldn't be pimping troy out for work I won't be doing... ;)

[ike]

And about 4 oranges for Molly also:rolleyes:

[Lysmachia]

That would be limes pal! :D

[Quick Draw]

I can't do Saturday but can do Sunday, or one of the evenings this week. I just need a little bit of notice so that I can bring my gear home.

Won't be needing beverages here....That's illegal... :D

[ike]

My bad

[RedRunnertc]

We could do it Saturday before the xmas party.

[Yanman]

I can't do Saturday but can do Sunday, or one of the evenings this week. I just need a little bit of notice so that I can bring my gear home.

Won't be needing beverages here....That's illegal... :D

OK Sunday will work, plus that gives me time to prep the area for welding.

What time and where do you want to meet?

We could do it Saturday before the xmas party.

Thanks for offering Troy. :)

But Kyle was first, even though you are willing to do it on a Saturday, and like I said I need to prep the area and Saturday is going to be a good chance to do it, along with the rest of the stuff I need to try to get done.

[Quick Draw]

OK Sunday will work, plus that gives me time to prep the area for welding.

What time and where do you want to meet?



Thanks for offering Troy. :)

But Kyle was first, even though you are willing to do it on a Saturday, and like I said I need to prep the area and Saturday is going to be a good chance to do it, along with the rest of the stuff I need to try to get done.

How about you come over to my place Sunday afternoon, because the welder doesn't move very easily. I'm not too far from Thornton. Like I said about 86th and Simms in Arvada. I'm pretty open to times...but would like to take advantage of daylight if possible. Maybe 11?

I'll PM you my address and phone #.

[Yanman]

How about you come over to my place Sunday afternoon, because the welder doesn't move very easily. I'm not too far from Thornton. Like I said about 86th and Simms in Arvada. I'm pretty open to times...but would like to take advantage of daylight if possible. Maybe 11?

I'll PM you my address and phone #.

Got 'em.

See you at 11 on Sunday the 7th.

[Lysmachia]

Cool beans... you got it covered!

[mrdoug]

How about you come over to my place Sunday afternoon... Maybe 11?


what are they teaching in school these days? I must be old, in my day, 11 came before noon, not after :p

[TacoBlanca97]

:doh: ..........:lmao:

[ike]

:lmao:

[Quick Draw]

:rolleyes: Don't you guys have better threads to heckle? I know you're just doing your job and all....but shit....






:D

[ike]

Nope, this is the best one by far:D

[mrdoug]

:rolleyes: Don't you guys have better threads to heckle? I know you're just doing your job and all....but shit....






:D

Could be, where else are you posting? :rofl: Heckling you and giving Dave shit are 2 of my favorite past times.

[Opie011]

Hey Kyle shoot me your number, I might find time to give ya a hand welding! Its gonna be a nice day too, maybe I will drive the yota over if I can make it!

[Quick Draw]

That would be cool. Let me know.

303-941-0530

[colorado125]

Could be, where else are you posting? :rofl: Heckling you and giving Dave shit are 2 of my favorite past times.

Now now. We've been over this, and so have your nurses. Shit is something you flush or throw away. I know you're getting old and losing you mind, but go back, listen to the nice nurses and put the diapers back on.

[ike]

If you would stop taking it with a smile from the senial old man he may learn that lesson one day.

[RedRunnertc]

He listens to the nurses just fine - with the Alzheimer's he just doesn't remember what they said is all. Kinda sad really

[chilitoy]

I can help you or anyone with welding whenever needed. I have a Miller 110v for mobile purposes and a couple of real welders(mig and tig) if anyone needs. I can also make brackets,plates, and other stuff too. We have an ironworker and shears and and brakes as well.

[4Runner_Girl]

At the next HOW I would love to give a hand welding...I know from stick-tig....you name it....I would love to help....

[colorado125]

If you would stop taking it with a smile from the senial old man he may learn that lesson one day.

Just trying to be nice. You never know what will set the old guy off when he's off his rocker. He keeps saying "Ike keeps trying to push it all back in with his "special tool" but I just want to share."

[mrdoug]

Just trying to be nice. You never know what will set the old guy off when he's off his rocker.

Best not forget the "crazy" part of the "crazy cat guy"... you ever wonder how my cats get so fat? I feed them those that annoy me.

[RedRunnertc]

At the next HOW I would love to give a hand welding...I know from stick-tig....you name it....I would love to help....

Well, there IS still the drain plug on the front diff! :D

[ike]

Come on now Troy! That would be to easy. First you have to fight with it for atleast a day.

[Lysmachia]

Ok so from if I remember Troy and I are NOT needed tomorrow (Which is good because I gotta get the awards ready!!)

[4Runner_Girl]

Well, there IS still the drain plug on the front diff! :D

Yeah we can certainly fight with it again to have it changed I still have all the oil and stuff just waiting on another HOW...lol...

[Quick Draw]

Ok so from if I remember Troy and I are NOT needed tomorrow (Which is good because I gotta get the awards ready!!)

Correct. Go about your daily routine, and relax. :D

[Yanman]

Kyle and anybody else that maybe coming over to help,

I have preped the areas of the frame where the reinforcements are going as best I could with the tools I had (orbital sander, hands). We may have to do a little more prep work if you have a grinder.

Also, I hope you have a cutting torch or a saw that can cut through 3/16" steel, because I noticed a bracket welded to the frame that is used by the fuel tube. We will have to either cut a section off the reinforcements, which is what I prefer, or do something with the bracket welded to the frame.

Hear are some pics:

A pic of one of the reinforcements:

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr176/Yanman007/2003%20Toyota%20Tacoma/Trail%20Armor/DeMello%20Frame%20Reinforcements/DeMelloFrameReinfocements043.jpg

A pic of the passenger side:

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr176/Yanman007/2003%20Toyota%20Tacoma/Trail%20Armor/DeMello%20Frame%20Reinforcements/DeMelloFrameReinfocements049.jpg

A pic of the driver side, off to the left you can see the bracket I'm talking about:

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr176/Yanman007/2003%20Toyota%20Tacoma/Trail%20Armor/DeMello%20Frame%20Reinforcements/DeMelloFrameReinfocements045.jpg

And a close up of the bracket:

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr176/Yanman007/2003%20Toyota%20Tacoma/Trail%20Armor/DeMello%20Frame%20Reinforcements/DeMelloFrameReinfocements047.jpg

Hopefully you will see this and will know what to do ahead of time.

Thanks again for helping me out and I'll see you tomorrow! :)

[Opie011]

Well I'm not gonna make it now! I scored a sweet deal at the gun show today and what I was supposed to do today, I have to do tomorrow now....sorry.

[Yanman]

Frame Reinforcements are on!

Thanks to Kyle, he did all the welding and did a good job!

My truck rides a lot better now, I can tell that more of the load is put on the suspension and not transfered to the frame as much. In fact it rides like my old '91 truck did. Not sure what Toyota was thinking with the design for the frames on the Tacomas.

Anyway here are some pics:

Here is the reinforcement welded onto the driver's side before painting.

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr176/Yanman007/2003%20Toyota%20Tacoma/Trail%20Armor/DeMello%20Frame%20Reinforcements/DeMelloFrameReinfocements001.jpg

Here is a "spare part" we made. We had to cut off part of the reinforcement to fit around a bracket that is connected to the fuel inlet tube. We looked at Kyle's truck and he didn't have one. Must be something the '01-'04 Tacos have.

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr176/Yanman007/2003%20Toyota%20Tacoma/Trail%20Armor/DeMello%20Frame%20Reinforcements/DeMelloFrameReinfocements003.jpg

Driver's side painted and with tire back on

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr176/Yanman007/2003%20Toyota%20Tacoma/Trail%20Armor/DeMello%20Frame%20Reinforcements/DeMelloFrameReinfocements005.jpg

A close up of the area where the fuel inlet braket is

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr176/Yanman007/2003%20Toyota%20Tacoma/Trail%20Armor/DeMello%20Frame%20Reinforcements/DeMelloFrameReinfocements006.jpg

Finally here is the passenger side all painted, thats Kyle on the other side of the truck smoothing out the weld bumps, that I forgot to have him smooth out before I painted, oops!

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr176/Yanman007/2003%20Toyota%20Tacoma/Trail%20Armor/DeMello%20Frame%20Reinforcements/DeMelloFrameReinfocements009.jpg

All in all it real well. I did notice my frame was bent a little on the passenger side, but I firmly believe that was something I did before Kyle welded the reinforcements up.

As I said before the truck rides real nice now, better than before.

Again thanks alot Kyle! :D

[Quick Draw]

Great! Glad everything worked out! It was nice to meet you. You'll have to get out on some runs with us now...

Like I said, this club and many of its members have absolutely saved my ass on several occasions whether it be on the trail or broken at home. I'm always glad to give back where I can. I see it as a continuing cycle. Someday, you'll help the new guy out, who will then gain more experience and go on to lend a hand to somebody else. It all works out. That's why this club is so strong and tightly knit.

Now I just gotta replace my steering rack before I spend $20 a week on ATF! :eek: Just in the couple hours it sat there, it got a puddle just as big as the one from the night before.

[ike]

Looks good.

Great Job Kyle.

[AxleIke]

Kyle, gotta say, welds are looking nice.

Great job, and props for helping out another member.;)

[Yanman]

Great! Glad everything worked out! It was nice to meet you. You'll have to get out on some runs with us now....

It was good to meet you too, I will keep my eyes open and pay attention to up and coming runs. Not quite ready to do anything real nasty, but if we go on some stock runs I'm up for it.

Like I said, this club and many of its members have absolutely saved my ass on several occasions whether it be on the trail or broken at home. I'm always glad to give back where I can. I see it as a continuing cycle. Someday, you'll help the new guy out, who will then gain more experience and go on to lend a hand to somebody else. It all works out. That's why this club is so strong and tightly knit.


I agree! I hope I will have a chance to do that very thing. So far, I have answered some questions other members have had regarding the ToyTec Coil Overs.

Again, let me know once you get your other project vehicle. I'd love to help and learn while doing it.

[Lysmachia]

We are gonna do a snow run in January. It will be easy, and you can get as stuck in the snow as you want kind of thing... So join us then for sure!

[Yanman]

We are gonna do a snow run in January. It will be easy, and you can get as stuck in the snow as you want kind of thing... So join us then for sure!

Your on! :D I'll keep my eyes open for when and where.

[Yanman]

:bump:

OK here is phase two of my slider addition and need for welding help.

For those of you who don't know I got my self some Slee sliders just after Christmas. Great design and well engineered. Unfortunately due to the one size fits all approach to any and all prefabed components they are too short and left 4 inches unprotected by the rear wheels.

So I guess you can call this a design review, for you engineers this is an all to familiar thing.

Any way here are some drawings of my design and I just wanted to get some feed back. Am I overdoing it? Is it not enough? Sorry if the text is too small to read.

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr176/Yanman007/2003%20Toyota%20Tacoma/Trail%20Armor/Slee%20Sliders/SliderMod01_Page_1.jpg

http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr176/Yanman007/2003%20Toyota%20Tacoma/Trail%20Armor/Slee%20Sliders/SliderMod01_Page_2.jpg

So if the design is sound I will need to get the angles machined. I have a machine shop I can go to but I'm not sure how much they will charge me.

Finally, I will need some help welding the angles onto my sliders.

Thanks for your input and help!

[RedRunnertc]

Ummmm ... wait a minute here ... after what those sliders cost, I would be PISSED that they didn't fit PERFECT.

I would express your lack of satisfaction to Slee and see if they will help you out. Otherwise, I would get them to take them back - if you're gonna add on like that, you may as well buy the steel and make a proper set from scratch!

[Yanman]

Ummmm ... wait a minute here ... after what those sliders cost, I would be PISSED that they didn't fit PERFECT.

I would express your lack of satisfaction to Slee and see if they will help you out. Otherwise, I would get them to take them back - if you're gonna add on like that, you may as well buy the steel and make a proper set from scratch!

Yeah, but here is the problem, Slee has done a temporary tack weld to my frame, per my directions, :doh: so I'm not so sure they will take them back.

But I can see if they can do something else to help out.

I'm still getting used to having people help me out on this board rather than going to a shop and getting screwed over.

[Yanman]

But I can see if they can do something else to help out.

OK, so I talked with Slee and its pretty much what I figured. The Sliders are mine seeing how they have been welded to my frame.

But I did get a reason why the sliders are the way they are. Slee says that they designed them that way so that the bed will not flex into the slider. The bed on tacos curves down by an inch as it goes towards the rear wheelwell. And they didn't think that there was a high chance that a rock could get into that area during wheeling, not sure if I believe that part.

Anyway, this still leaves me with a 4 inch gap where its possible I could get a rock in there. So I guess I'll just have to be carefull and listen to my spotters.

However it still would be nice to get those angles made up as an option.

[ike]

If you look at most sliders, they dont cover that last few inches. Yea, you may hit something there, but in reality chances are pretty low.

[RedRunnertc]

When I was getting mine, I talked to Roger Brown (4Crawler) and he leaves his a bit open on the end for a reason - he has seen stuff get trapped in there and then damage the truck.

[Yanman]

If you look at most sliders, they dont cover that last few inches. Yea, you may hit something there, but in reality chances are pretty low.

When I was getting mine, I talked to Roger Brown (4Crawler) and he leaves his a bit open on the end for a reason - he has seen stuff get trapped in there and then damage the truck.

So it sounds like I'm OK then? I wasn't sure because I've seen sliders that have covered the side of the truck from wheelwell to wheelwell. Although I think those sliders are custom made.

Thats why I joined CoTTORA, to learn from the pros.

[ike]

All of the sliders that i have seen made to give total protection like that have at one time or another cut a grove in the rigs rear tire also. Remember that back axle moves around alot, especially once softer springs are put back there.

[Quick Draw]

Yep, my sliders used to cover front to back....But then I sliced up some tires real good. So they got chopped back... I never did cap them either. Hmmm....another damn project.

[00regcab]

If you look at most sliders, they dont cover that last few inches. Yea, you may hit something there, but in reality chances are pretty low.

I think its dependent on what you get yourself into.

I hit that spot on my bed frequently, but its not enough to really do drastic damage to the sheet metal. I also have less exposed space. I'll see if i can find a picture.

Best i can do right now:
http://users.4x4wh.com/4x4master/yota/Bed%20Bob/C4.jpg

I would have slee re-position them so you had equal gaps at the front, and at the rear. So if your 4" in the rear, but 0" in the front, have them moved back 2", etc.

[ike]

Like Nate said you want equal distance front and rear, but i would assume that slee would have put them on that way.

[Yanman]

Like Nate said you want equal distance front and rear, but i would assume that slee would have put them on that way.

No they didn't. They put them up toward the front so there was maximum coverage.

I'm going to be going back to Slee once I get the Budbuilt Skids and belly pan. I had some concern that where the cross member of the belly pan is located might interfere with the cross members of the sliders. Slee only tack welded it on one of the cross members, so they still can be moved.