bash bar

[oilspot]

So I set up my JD2 model 3 bender a few weeks ago and this is my first project. This is just the top bar for now. I plan to build in a jackpoint etc. But for the time being it's just tacked together. I decided I wanted to critique it for a few days before I finish burning it together.

[corax]

Looks good so far
2 thoughts:
- A bit more space on the sides between the bar and the bodywork will help prevent it from contacting sheet metal if you have to use it.
- The stronger you build it, the more likely it is to damage the unibody in an impact.  There's always a compromise in deciding where the weak link is.  On my truck, I'd prefer to bend the skids or bumpers rather than damage the frame (though skids and bumpers are fairly stout anyway)

[oilspot]

Looks good so far
2 thoughts:
- A bit more space on the sides between the bar and the bodywork will help prevent it from contacting sheet metal if you have to use it.
- The stronger you build it, the more likely it is to damage the unibody in an impact.  There's always a compromise in deciding where the weak link is.  On my truck, I'd prefer to bend the skids or bumpers rather than damage the frame (though skids and bumpers are fairly stout anyway)

The ends will be trimmed down. If you look close I've made some marks where I think I wanna cut it. Thats one of the things I'm taking a few days to look at before I pull it to weld all the way up. I used 0.095 wall ERW as to not transfer excessive impact to the frame, hopefully (no real science or engineering behind my choice )
At this point I'm kinda leaning towards not doing a center jackpoint. Figure i can add it later. I've got plenty of other time consuming projects to attend to on the car!!!