Bumpers

1
Les

When we had our meet down in Edinburgh Gardens a while back you mentioned you had a plan or at least some thoughts on making a Trakka like rear bumper. Just wondering if you had got any further with that?

I really need to sort out something better for mine.

Cheers
Gary
2

Gary,

From memory, I think that I was talking about doing engineering drawings of the Trakka bumpers and making them available to members so that they could be built from drawings.  There would be a number of aluminium fabricators who could make a set or two if they had adequate drawings to work from. 

I have replaced the rear bumper mounting brackets on mine and incorporated a tow bar, for which I have drawings.  In doing this, I moved the rear bumper back by 20mm to get more clearance between the bumper and the body panels.  This paid off when the Syncro was hit by a hoon outside my house.  He did a lot of damage to his (unregistered and uninsured) vehicle but almost none to mine. 

I would be quite happy to make a set of drawings for the rear bumper. 

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Gary Cookson
Sent: 28 July 2010 10:33
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers 

Les

When we had our meet down in Edinburgh Gardens a while back you mentioned you had a plan or at least some thoughts on making a Trakka like rear bumper. Just wondering if you had got any further with that?

I really need to sort out something better for mine.

Cheers
Gary

3
Les, if you wouldn't mind doing the drawings i'd be happy to try and find a fabricator to get some quotes. I'd be keen also to incorporate a towbar. 

Maybe other Melbourne based owners could express interest so I could cost getting x sets made which may make it more economical.

Would the cost of aluminium fabrication be much higher than steel do you think? Aluminium is definitely preferable but the Gowesty steel bumpers seem ok especially if the hitch receiver could be built in.

I have a steel fabricator locally i've used for other stuff which is why I ask.

Cheers
Gary


On 28/07/2010, at 10:45 AM, Les Harris wrote:

 

Gary,

From memory, I think that I was talking about doing engineering drawings of the Trakka bumpers and making them available to members so that they could be built from drawings.  There would be a number of aluminium fabricators who could make a set or two if they had adequate drawings to work from. 

I have replaced the rear bumper mounting brackets on mine and incorporated a tow bar, for which I have drawings.  In doing this, I moved the rear bumper back by 20mm to get more clearance between the bumper and the body panels.  This paid off when the Syncro was hit by a hoon outside my house.  He did a lot of damage to his (unregistered and uninsured) vehicle but almost none to mine. 

I would be quite happy to make a set of drawings for the rear bumper. 

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com ] On Behalf Of Gary Cookson
Sent: 28 July 2010 10:33
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] Bumpers 

Les

When we had our meet down in Edinburgh Gardens a while back you mentioned you had a plan or at least some thoughts on making a Trakka like rear bumper. Just wondering if you had got any further with that?

I really need to sort out something better for mine.

Cheers
Gary



4
If you are making a towbar, then use the towbar mountings and not just the bumper mountings. The extra hole is about 300mm in front of the bumper mount.



> Gary Cookson <gary@twentytwentyone.net> wrote:
>
Les, if you wouldn't mind doing the drawings i'd be happy to try and find a fabricator to
get some quotes. I'd be keen also to incorporate a towbar.

Maybe other Melbourne based owners could express interest so I could cost getting x sets
made which may make it more economical.

Would the cost of aluminium fabrication be much higher than steel do you think? Aluminium is
definitely preferable but the Gowesty steel bumpers seem ok especially if the hitch receiver
could be built in.

I have a steel fabricator locally i've used for other stuff which is why I ask.

Cheers
Gary


On 28/07/2010, at 10:45 AM, Les Harris wrote:

>
> Gary,
>
> From memory, I think that I was talking about doing engineering drawings of the Trakka
bumpers and making them available to members so that they could be built from drawings.
There would be a number of aluminium fabricators who could make a set or two if they had
adequate drawings to work from.
>
> I have replaced the rear bumper mounting brackets on mine and incorporated a tow bar, for
which I have drawings. In doing this, I moved the rear bumper back by 20mm to get more
clearance between the bumper and the body panels. This paid off when the Syncro was hit by
a hoon outside my house. He did a lot of damage to his (unregistered and uninsured) vehicle
but almost none to mine.
>
> I would be quite happy to make a set of drawings for the rear bumper.
>
> Les
>
> From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Gary Cookson
> Sent: 28 July 2010 10:33
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers
>
> Les
>
> When we had our meet down in Edinburgh Gardens a while back you mentioned you had a plan
or at least some thoughts on making a Trakka like rear bumper. Just wondering if you had got
any further with that?
>
> I really need to sort out something better for mine.
>
> Cheers
> Gary
>
>
>
>
5

Gary,

As a general rule, mild steel fabrication will always be cheaper than aluminium but most people seem to regard the aluminium as having the better appearance.  A m/s bumper could always be sprayed aluminium.

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Gary Cookson
Sent: 28 July 2010 11:06
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers

 

 

Les, if you wouldn't mind doing the drawings i'd be happy to try and find a fabricator to get some quotes. I'd be keen also to incorporate a towbar. 

Maybe other Melbourne based owners could express interest so I could cost getting x sets made which may make it more economical.

Would the cost of aluminium fabrication be much higher than steel do you think? Aluminium is definitely preferable but the Gowesty steel bumpers seem ok especially if the hitch receiver could be built in.

I have a steel fabricator locally i've used for other stuff which is why I ask.

Cheers

Gary

 

_._,___

6

Phill,

I wasn’t aware of the third (front) mounting point until you told me about it about a year ago. 

While I am doing a bumper drawing, I intend to have a look at incorporating the front hole in a revised combination bumper mount and towbar.

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of plander@optusnet.com.au
Sent: 28 July 2010 11:13
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers

If you are making a towbar, then use the towbar mountings and not just the bumper mountings. The extra hole is about 300mm in front of the bumper mount.


7

Don’t think anybody has been aware of a third hole to properly fit a towbar, not even Telstra !   Good one Phill !   Hart

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Les Harris
Sent: Wednesday, 28 July 2010 11:17 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers

 

 

Phill,

I wasn’t aware of the third (front) mounting point until you told me about it about a year ago. 

While I am doing a bumper drawing, I intend to have a look at incorporating the front hole in a revised combination bumper mount and towbar.

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of plander@optusnet.com.au
Sent: 28 July 2010 11:13
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers

If you are making a towbar, then use the towbar mountings and not just the bumper mountings. The extra hole is about 300mm in front of the bumper mount.



8
Have a look at the genuine towbars on the interweb.

If you look at eBay.de you may find some.

or Busman etc.



> Hartmut Kiehn <hartis@live.com.au> wrote:
>
> Don't think anybody has been aware of a third hole to properly fit a
> towbar,
> not even Telstra ! Good one Phill ! Hart
>
>
>
> From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Les Harris
> Sent: Wednesday, 28 July 2010 11:17 AM
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RE: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers
>
>
>
>
>
> Phill,
>
> I wasn't aware of the third (front) mounting point until you told me
> about
> it about a year ago.
>
> While I am doing a bumper drawing, I intend to have a look at
> incorporating
> the front hole in a revised combination bumper mount and towbar.
>
> Les
>
> _____
>
> From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> plander@optusnet.com.au
> Sent: 28 July 2010 11:13
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers
>
> If you are making a towbar, then use the towbar mountings and not just
> the
> bumper mountings. The extra hole is about 300mm in front of the bumper
> mount.
9
Hi Les

Agreed re aluminium being the preferred solution but i'd be quite happy with steel also, could always be powdercoated?

Gary

On 28/07/2010, at 11:21 AM, Les Harris wrote:

 

Gary,

As a general rule, mild steel fabrication will always be cheaper than aluminium but most people seem to regard the aluminium as having the better appearance.  A m/s bumper could always be sprayed aluminium.

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com ] On Behalf Of Gary Cookson
Sent: 28 July 2010 11:06
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] Bumpers

 

 

Les, if you wouldn't mind doing the drawings i'd be happy to try and find a fabricator to get some quotes. I'd be keen also to incorporate a towbar. 

Maybe other Melbourne based owners could express interest so I could cost getting x sets made which may make it more economical.

Would the cost of aluminium fabrication be much higher than steel do you think? Aluminium is definitely preferable but the Gowesty steel bumpers seem ok especially if the hitch receiver could be built in.

I have a steel fabricator locally i've used for other stuff which is why I ask.

Cheers

Gary

 

_._,___



10

Phill,

When I went looking for a ready-made towbar, all that I could find was the Hayman Rees, and that was 100% Heath Robinson.  They had elected to design a bolt-on contraption and ignore the existing mountings, which were more than adequately strong and very tidy.

All that I did was to use the existing mounting points and mount the bumper to the towbar.  The end result was simpler and stronger than anything else that I could find at the time or since.  I had it gal dipped so it should outlast the Syncro.  See attached pic.

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of plander@optusnet.com.au
Sent: 28 July 2010 11:44
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: RE: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers

Have a look at the genuine towbars on the interweb.
If you look at eBay.de you may find some.
or Busman etc.


11

I should have included another pic to show that the tongue is detachable.  The tongue doesn’t need to be fitted until I need to tow something.  What is presented to any vehicle unlucky enough to nerf me is a 100 X 50 X 6mm RHS edge on.

Les

 

 

 

_._,___

12
They really are terrible those Hayman Reese versions with the big bolts through the towing eyes.

I'll have a bumper and towbar just like yours please Les with added hoonproofing...

Gary


On 28/07/2010, at 12:46 PM, Les Harris wrote:

 

Phill,

When I went looking for a ready-made towbar, all that I could find was the Hayman Rees, and that was 100% Heath Robinson.  They had elected to design a bolt-on contraption and ignore the existing mountings, which were more than adequately strong and very tidy.

All that I did was to use the existing mounting points and mount the bumper to the towbar.  The end result was simpler and stronger than anything else that I could find at the time or since.  I had it gal dipped so it should outlast the Syncro.  See attached pic.

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com ] On Behalf Of plander@optusnet.com.au
Sent: 28 July 2010 11:44
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: Re: RE: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] Bumpers

Have a look at the genuine towbars on the interweb.
If you look at eBay.de you may find some.
or Busman etc.



<Syncro Towbar 6.JPG>

13
Les,

Here is my towbar.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~pjlander/tyre_carrier.htm

Heath Robinson actually had a genuine bar to copy from.



> Les Harris <leslieharris@optusnet.com.au> wrote:
>
> Phill,
>
> When I went looking for a ready-made towbar, all that I could find was
> the
> Hayman Rees, and that was 100% Heath Robinson. They had elected to
> design a
> bolt-on contraption and ignore the existing mountings, which were more
> than
> adequately strong and very tidy.
>
> All that I did was to use the existing mounting points and mount the
> bumper
> to the towbar. The end result was simpler and stronger than anything
> else
> that I could find at the time or since. I had it gal dipped so it
> should
> outlast the Syncro. See attached pic.
>
> Les
>
> _____
>
> From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> plander@optusnet.com.au
> Sent: 28 July 2010 11:44
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: RE: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers
>
> Have a look at the genuine towbars on the interweb.
> If you look at eBay.de you may find some.
> or Busman etc.
14

My Syncro has a bar fitted correctly to the points and it also has protection bars for the rear lights. It has a system were the tongue was removable. It has the brand Pepro stamped on it. But I did not get the actual tongue and ball from the previous owner (!@#$#). I have searched and cannot locate the Company Pepro. Seems they were a tow bar manufacturer but appear to have disappeared. I will have to get a tongue made locally. Will copy the bends on the one Hart has on his Trakka Syncro.

 

See attached file of me using a special feature of my Syncro as you can see the tow bar in the photo.

 

Peter

 

15
Peter,
 
Pepro was a towbar manufacturer in Manlyvale Sydney but they are long gone.  I have Pepro towbars on two of my vehicles and they are very strongly built.  You should be able to use any tongue with the right bolt spacing.  I go to a self serve auto wrecker when I need a towbar tongue and wander through the yard with a tape measure and select a tongue with the right bend, length and bolt pattern to suit my application.  Bear in mind there are varying thicknesses too with 20mm being about the thickest for max strength.  Some also have varying reinforcing bars welded to them and shackle holes if you need them.  This is a cheap way to get a hand picked custom tongue.  Pick 'N" Payless is a good one if you are in Sydney,
 
Neil.  

From: Peter Coe <peter@coeconsult.com.au>
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, 28 July, 2010 2:00:26 PM
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers

 

My Syncro has a bar fitted correctly to the points and it also has protection bars for the rear lights. It has a system were the tongue was removable. It has the brand Pepro stamped on it. But I did not get the actual tongue and ball from the previous owner (!@#$#). I have searched and cannot locate the Company Pepro. Seems they were a tow bar manufacturer but appear to have disappeared. I will have to get a tongue made locally. Will copy the bends on the one Hart has on his Trakka Syncro.

 

See attached file of me using a special feature of my Syncro as you can see the tow bar in the photo.

 

Peter

 


 
16
Peter,
Makes a lot of sense ... heh you get to preserve the starter motor as well as have regular upper torso exercise. Excellent indeed!
 
I wonder if this is the only one in captivity?
 
Cheers.
 
Ken
 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: peter@coeconsult.com.au
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:00:26 +1000
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers

 

My Syncro has a bar fitted correctly to the points and it also has protection bars for the rear lights. It has a system were the tongue was removable. It has the brand Pepro stamped on it. But I did not get the actual tongue and ball from the previous owner (!@#$#). I have searched and cannot locate the Company Pepro. Seems they were a tow bar manufacturer but appear to have disappeared. I will have to get a tongue made locally. Will copy the bends on the one Hart has on his Trakka Syncro.

 

See attached file of me using a special feature of my Syncro as you can see the tow bar in the photo.

 

Peter

 


17
No they were common.


I wonder if this is the only one in captivity?











My Syncro has a bar fitted correctly to the points and it also has protection bars for the
rear lights. It has a system were the tongue was removable. It has the brand Pepro stamped
on it.
18
Gary, don't you want a spare tyre carrier as part of your rear bar set up? Greg E

--- On Wed, 28/7/10, plander@optusnet.com.au <plander@optusnet.com.au> wrote:

From: plander@optusnet.com.au <plander@optusnet.com.au>
Subject: Re: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Received: Wednesday, 28 July, 2010, 6:34 PM

 
No they were common.

I wonder if this is the only one in captivity?

My Syncro has a bar fitted correctly to the points and it also has protection bars for the
rear lights. It has a system were the tongue was removable. It has the brand Pepro stamped
on it.

 
19
Hi Greg, that would be good and again Gowesty have that pretty well sorted but I did buy a swing out bar from a nissan pathfinder that i have waiting to be modified to fit. Someone on the samba fitted one and it looked pretty good. The one i have is massively over engineered though so i'm planning on some judicious angle grinding to get the weight down a bit. Another project waiting in the wings.

No other takers for a rear bumper designed by our erstwhile list leader?

Gary


[2 0 / 2 1 Design]
28 Gwynne St
Richmond
Vic 3121
gary@twentytwentyone.net
www.twentytwentyone.net
Tel 3 9429 1868
Fax 3 9421 1110
Mob 0417 352782

On 28/07/2010, at 8:44 PM, greg esposito wrote:

 

Gary, don't you want a spare tyre carrier as part of your rear bar set up? Greg E

--- On Wed, 28/7/10, plander@optusnet.com.au <plander@optusnet.com.au> wrote:

From: plander@optusnet.com.au <plander@optusnet.com.au>
Subject: Re: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] Bumpers
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Received: Wednesday, 28 July, 2010, 6:34 PM

 
No they were common.

I wonder if this is the only one in captivity?

My Syncro has a bar fitted correctly to the points and it also has protection bars for the
rear lights. It has a system were the tongue was removable. It has the brand Pepro stamped
on it.

 


20

That’s a worry.  I must have died in the last couple of days and not noticed.  I really must start paying more attention to what’s going on!!

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Gary Cookson
Sent: 29 July 2010 09:54
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Bumpers

No other takers for a rear bumper designed by our erstwhile list leader?

Gary