unique tire swing hinge

[scout man]

I saw this at predator 4x4 today and I really like the idea. It has a locking hub as the hinge, allowing you to lock the gate into any position. Of course, it still had a normal latch for locking it shut, but with this you can lock it open also. Example, if you are on a hill and you gate keeps trying to shut on you. The guy at the shop also said it can hold just about any weight you can throw on the gate. I have been pondering how to do this, but without having one in my hand to play with I have a few questions.

I am thinking you would need the end of an axle shaft to weld on as your mount to the bumper. And obviously the outer hub on top. The question is what would you need in the middle? The lower half of the housing that is. I would think you would somehow need to seal up the bottom of the hub, and have a gasket or something around the shaft to keep the grease in. Is this a custom made bottom housing or could you more or less just weld the end of an axle shaft on and reassemble the hub as normal. I havnt had mine apart enough to truly visualize this. Maybe I just need to tear it apart and check it out.

Thoughts?

11922

[scout man]

Did some research on it, and it seems like all I need is from the stub shaft on out. Weld the stub shaft to the bumper, and assemble from there. I may have to try this.

[Mporter]

Very cool idea. Too much work and engineering for my taste (plus I already have my spindles and stuff)

[Brody]

Hey Steve

This has actually been around for quite awhile. I know I saw the first one I had ever seen about 15 or more years ago.

Here is a link that gives you the basics:

http://www.delawareja.com/forum/index.php?topic=14949.0

[Volcom]

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=94915

[scout man]

cool, thanks

That was exactly the kinds of writeups I was looking for and couldnt find.

[Funrover]

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=94915

Yep, that's the one I was gonna post up!

[KnuckleHead]

That a good idea.... I too might have to give this a try. I want to get the spare out from inside the K5

[scout man]

Yea, I am really liking this idea, but havnt decided yet if I will be able to use it. I was planning on a dual hinge design, one above the other, as I have a pretty complex vision of what I want my gate to be, as it will be built into an exo, if not immediately then eventually. It is definitely overkill to use 2 hubs as hinges, but I am not sure that I could use a smaller diameter hinge with a large one as things wouldnt line up right I wouldnt think. If I did do it, I would be inclined to just use like a johnny joint at the top hinge or something so it is adjustable. I dont know, gears a still churning.

[Brody]

Here is another bit of food for thought:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200314615_200314615

Use a basic axle spindle for a trailer. Northern Tools has a lot of different designs and these are VERY strong.

[Mporter]

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer_Spindles.aspx

That's where I bought my spindles for my bumper.

[scout man]

yea, I knew I could use the spindles, I just lik the hub idea because I can lock it open and closed. Plus its spare parts if i blow out a hub on the trail