A little project update on Chug A Lug

So today more work on the Tire swing. I got carried away when I welded the mounting plate (where the studs go) to the 4" tube that is the stand off (the thing that holds the mounting plate out away from the Swing frame (which is built like a ladder kind of) The tube was to long and the tire mounted a good inch farther out away from the swing then I needed to be. SO today was all kinds of fun. The end of the Stand off tube that will get welded to the actual swing has 3) 1" deep slots cut in it to fit over the 1" x 2" and 1" x 1 1/2" tubing that makes up the Swing. SO my only recourse was to cut the slots off and redo them shortening the Stand off. The tire now sits about 1/4" from the Swing. I'll make some Micarta bumpers for the side wall to rest against.

Anyway once that was done I temp. bolted the thing on the swing and mounted up my spare to see how it all fits. And I noticed the HUGE VOID behind the Wheel And instantly thought of things that could be stored in that area.

The list:

30' Tow Strap

8" Tree Strap

collapsible LUG Wrench and socket

spare lugs and Nuts

Climbing rope and Carbiners /Anchor

I don't want to store anything to heavy like shackles and chains etc. Those will go in a 50 cal ammo can stored within the Jeep when out and about.

Also I am going to have a Full Moon cover on the Spare I can store one of the modern collapsible Water buckets behind the Moon cover.

I been doing some test fitting of my shovel and my two axes and Bow saw to see how they might mount to the back side of the Swing and it looks like once I get the thing welded up so I can work on it off the Back of CHUG it will be pretty easy to design some secure mounts to hold the Pioneer tools.

In High School driving off road all the time. All I ever had in CHUG was an old crank up bottle jack. And I don't think I ever used it for anything in 3 years.

I do remember once out of the 3-4 times getting stuck that we couldn't get the Jeep out ourselves that a high lift might have come in handy. When I dropped the Right Front tire in a very deep ditch filled with mud and snow and couldn't pull it back out. Had I been able to lift it up we could have maybe gotten out without the guy that showed up with a winch.

I have one of the things its a Beast 48" long and heavy as all get out. Maybe I'll mount it on the front frame horns as a brush guard.

LOL so looks like I am going to have a fancy Waviar NATO gas can anyway as they ignored my cancel the order message and its on its way.

Spent today grinding welds and trying to figure out how to get my 30" Bow Saw, Fiskar Axe, and Shovel mounted to the tire swing. I think I got the stack/combo/puzzle figured out. There's room for some other stuff though I don't know what else I might try to hang on the thing.

I figured out a super clean way to lock the Jerry can so it can't be removed. Using a pad lock between the outer handle grip and a eyebolt welded to the Tire Swing top rail. Super simple.

Need to figure out how I am going to prep the can it for painting its way to big to fit into my sandblaster and I'm not doing it in the Driveway. Maybe I'll just rotary wire brush it. The can has been empty so long it doesn't even smell like gas any more. Dads can mount I can fit into the sand blaster once I wire brush off some Rust.

I think a Nice Rustoleum Apple Red. I'm going to use a metal strap around the can to keep it from rattling I'll paint that Black. Should work almost as good as a SMV sign LOL

  You could use zip ties that have  a release on them so they can be reused.

   Jim

Oh true roc I was just thinking about spare zip ties not buried in the tool box or something like that. More right where I needed them.

The reusable zip ties is an idea I'll look into.

OK so got the Tire Swing mounting piece painted and then worked out how to get a good ground for the antenna bases (removed some paint and a little Dielectric grease on the threads GREAT reading on the VOM now)

This photo shows the right side mounts and the 304 Stainless Hinge pin I had been waiting for a .510 reamer to open up the holes a little bit so the hinge Pin would slide in and out easier (this is how the Tire Swing will be opened by removing one of the pins) But once I polished up the pins they reduced in diameter just enough to slide in and out smooth. I want them to start out a little tight so that when they get hammer formed they won't be loose. I figure all that rattling around they will be doing has to increase tolerances somewhat.

Once I have everything assembled and the tire and a full fuel can hanging I will put the final Torque on all the bolts and such.

SO far pretty happy can't wait to see what it all looks like assembled with the Pioneer tools and everything.

P.S. DANG IT I went to assemble everything and the Hinge pins still won't fit through the Ladder section of the Tire Swing. I used Micarta Blocks milled and Epoxied into the ends of the Corss pieces to make a nice bearing surface and Micrata has a tendency to drill to very tight tolerances. SO the dang .500 drill bit I used made a .500 Hole and trying to push a .500" Pin through it isn't working. So still waiting on that damn Reamer I been waiting for since the 8th (now 20 days) I think time to ask for a refund and order another one.

P.S.S. OK ordered another reamer Now the first one will show up tomorrow and I'll have two Reamers I have never had another need for LOL.

Man I love doing custom work!!!

SO before bed I went out to make sure the shop was locked (big advantage to the shop being part of the house) and I took a look at the Gas Can holder. And a thought came to me. I have most of a can of Spray on Duplicolor Bedliner. I wonder how that would be to spray the inside of the can holder.

Well a quick google search tell me DUMB IDEA the stuff is not fuel resistant and will bubble up if it comes into contact with most automotive chemicals.

Guess I dodged that mess.

Flex Seal also a big NO

Guess I go back to my idea of a good paint and mud flap rubber with some drain holes.