SUA HPD30 axle truss follow along

**Joe Dillard** · 08-15-2009, 12:14 AM

Some time ago, a couple friends came over & dropped off a donor SUA HPD30 axle so I could use it to fab up an axle truss. My time & motivation to get it done has been lacking lately with work, kids etc pulling me away, but I found some time yesterday to make at least some progress.

I started things out by going to my local steel supply shop & picking up a piece of 1/2"x5"x6' flat plate rolled mild steel, and a piece of 1.25" round tubing that I'll integrate along the top edge of the truss for added strength & cool factor.

Here's how the rough draft cardboard template cutout looks. I'll be making some modest alterations to it as I go along so as to have a better fit along the axle mounting surfaces.

Here's the initial shape along the vacuum disco housing - however, there will be some modifications to the plate so that it rests against the housing closer.

Rough trace along the plate steel:

Experimenting with a guide plate used for plasma cutting.

Initial cut:

Well, that's all the pics I have of it as of now - hopefully tomorrow I'll finish it up. We'll see.

91YJRockCrawler · 08-15-2009, 12:38 AM

looks good... you need to build me one

**Joe Dillard** · 08-15-2009, 12:49 AM

I just so happen to have enough material to build two.

Since you are probably ~1.5 hours drive away from me - you are welcome to swing by tomorrow & we can build you one.

ImpactFabWorks · 08-15-2009, 01:13 AM

Looks good joe. I'm always impressed with the things you fab up. I used to have access to everything I would need but the economy ended all of that for me. I have been looking g to build a lotnog stuff and I do have the skill and experiance to actaully do it. But hey eventaully I'll get a shop put together

**Joe Dillard** · 08-15-2009, 01:22 AM

Thanks.

I wish you the best at getting things going again. I can certainly understand how things can go sour, especially in todays economy.

I too, use to do modest fab work for a living in a shop to die for....many years ago. Sure was lots of fun - but often hard work at the same time, especially in the heat.

Does it ever get hot out there in Victorville?

ImpactFabWorks · 08-15-2009, 01:35 AM

just alittle hot. Last summer I was building a trophy truck for a shop out here and it was like 112 degrees all summer. I was not happy in my hood and welding jacket. It was be really hot or get burned by falling sparks.

**Joe Dillard** · 08-15-2009, 01:54 AM

You should join us whenever we start going to Johnson Valley again later this year. Or do you already have a group of wheelers you go with to JV?

ImpactFabWorks · 08-15-2009, 01:59 AM

I have a guy that I have gone out there with a few times but I haven't talked to him in a while. Never been out there with more than about 3 or 4 vehicles. But, I have to get a new chain in my transfer case before I get to go anywhere

**Joe Dillard** · 08-15-2009, 02:06 AM

Yea, we usually have ~4-8 Jeeps, but sometimes a couple more.

Most I ever recall having on the trail at the same time was ~15. This was mostly due to us having a yearly Rookie Run we do which has a few newcomers join us. We stagger the Rookies between us & run SledgeHammer as an opening trail.

ImpactFabWorks · 08-15-2009, 02:11 AM

i haven't been able to finish sledge hammer yet. I went in the spring and broke an axle shaft. we usaully do bull frog.

**Joe Dillard** · 08-15-2009, 02:30 AM

I don't recall doing Bull Frog. Perhaps I will sometime.

The guy in the blue TJ is a friend of mine (Jon of winchline.com)

http://rubiconscat.com/Hammers/08/JackSledgeBFrog/BullFrog.html

ImpactFabWorks · 08-15-2009, 02:38 AM

good video. and a couple very nice jeeps. i have to admit even i will sound like a wuss, i have taken a few bypasses on that trail. i just don't feel like my jeep is ready for the whole thing yet

91YJRockCrawler · 08-15-2009, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Dillard

I just so happen to have enough material to build two.

Since you are probably ~1.5 hours drive away from me - you are welcome to swing by tomorrow & we can build you one.

if i had a rear axle under my jeep right now and money

... i would love to

but thanks for the offer

**Joe Dillard** · 08-15-2009, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian_nichols

good video. and a couple very nice jeeps. i have to admit even i will sound like a wuss, i have taken a few bypasses on that trail. i just don't feel like my jeep is ready for the whole thing yet

It's better to know where to draw the line, than to knowingly get in over your head.

**Joe Dillard** · 08-15-2009, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91YJRockCrawler

if i had a rear axle under my jeep right now and money

... i would love to

but thanks for the offer

You wouldn't *have* to bring your Jeep - or spend money for the truss.

I need to build a few prototypes anyway & I can not use this design on my POS since it's SOA.

Simply show-up & leave with a truss.

I could weld it on at a later time/date.