Rock slider musings, steel on the way...E D I T

[silverbullet]

OK I know that CamperNutz make some from round tube and ally chequerplate in a Landy-stylee but tbh I'm not entirely convinced on the styling front (no offence Ian) although they are certainly beefy enough. I don't doubt they do the job for a minute!

#Edited for legal reasons# I personally really like certain US-made ones, but since certain parties have gone up the wall, there's no chance of the licensed versions being made over here for a while, if ever. I'm not going there if I can help it.

I've got a load more steel due to order in the next week (it's all taking off again) so I'm going to order a 7.5m length of 50 x 50 x 4mm box, which will make 2 pairs and a prototype/demo part.

# I can see that there are certain details that I would change, not least because I don't want to make a direct copy, but also I want to have the potential to integrate a unique centre-span brace for the prop bars #

I'm not sure about the jacking point detail yet, LR-style plug-in tube and extension, or hook-under like the d.m.'s?

Needless to say, I'll be looking to get them galv'ed but might well investigate the possibility of getting architectural finish (smooth, like scaffolding) rather than structural (rough as a farm gate)

This is not a high-priority project, I have to find the time to rebuild the n/s/f jacking point and sill end on the syncro before even thinking about this. Having said that, I think that the bus will need them if I want to go out and play with the local AWDC

[ninja.turtle007]

Ian, I'll have a pair if the price is okay. I don't mind if they come in bare metal.

[silverbullet]

Ok Tom, when I get there. Choice of finishes it is then...

A little PS while I think of it: I will definitely be changing the tube end detail so that it deflects obstacles instead of digging in i.e bevel facing outwards, not downwards (can't see the point of that myself, other than cosmetic?)

They will also be the correct length for stretched arches, as that's the way I can see things going for syncros, long term.

I also intend to have a hidden centre support, you can't have a 1.5 metre span and not have it deflect (possibly permanently) if there's the thick end of 2000kg bearing down on a point load.

All the usual H.E.Co attention to detail

[syncroandy]

Hi Ian, slightly interested. I can't say I've been paying attention to what commercial offerings might be available, certainly from the US. I'm not a fan of the US Syncro scene. I had a quick look at that US website but there wasn't enough clear information there to help me understand their design. Does it use an adapter plate fitted to the outriggers, or does it slot into the jacking points ?

[silverbullet]

I think that they are plug-in/bolt up, which is the way to go for a commercial product, basically as good as you jacking points and sill ends. I had intended to follow the replacement jack-able sill route, but it's time and facilities that I don't have right now and wouldn't suit a lot of folks as it's major structural alterations.
I'll get something made in the coming weeks and then there will be something to chew on.

[jes*b]

Would need to accommodate 16" arch trim. Great idea , I'm on board.

[max and caddy]

Intrested here as well..

[silverbullet]

I've received an email re: license, patent, registered design etc.

Q: How many ways can you plug a length of square tube into the jacking points of a vehicle and not copy another design? Last time I checked, sill protectors for 4x4's have been around for quite a while...

[syncroandy]

Surely a key requirement for being issued with a new patent is that your implementation must be novel ? I really can't see that a rock slider fitting to jacking points is novel ! Unless the patent system has deteriorated to an extent that this rule no longer applies ? Or maybe they looked at all existing rock slider patents and discovered that nobody had bothered to patent that solution, and 'pinched' it ?

[silverbullet]

That's the US. This is Britain. It's all public domain and utterly generic.

Like I'm going to sell many anyway! 160 UK syncros that we know of, maybe 10% of those are being driven hard enough to warrant this sort of modification, maybe another 10% would like the peace of mind for their pristine vehicles?

I'm not going to enter into any sort of license agreement based on those sort of miniscule numbers.

I'll forge ahead in my own way, if people like the concept and want some then we can talk privately. It's not commercially viable for Europe afaics as the Germans won't go for them without a TUV cert and that's going to be a ballache, never mind all the other countries and their particular rules.

Good luck to whoever wants to go for it on the continent.

Paranoid though for the day: I can't help but wonder who stirred up the international forum s##tbucket overnight, but life's too short for all that. Moving on...

[max and caddy]

Who was the email from?... I could hazard a guess who's stirring things, might be wrong of course.

[silverbullet]

It was a communication from the "original" designer. This topic had been brought to his attention overnight. Platitudes and reassurances have been sent by return. I really don't care who was stirring, there are more important things to concern myself with right now.

My lunch and a nice brew, for example.

P.S. Andy has made some valid observations about the implications of side-impacts and using a transverse centre support. The ol' grey matter has come up with a solution that uses a simple (read cheap) renewable deformable element that would allow the bars to buckle in the even of a big side impact, without transmitting excessive force to the main vehicle structure.
The centre beam/prop rail support idea would be a supplementary part anyway, so very much an extra, not an essential.

[ninja.turtle007]

I didn't realize the DAS MULE sliders are now actually in production. Plus they are offering a group discount. Postage costs are excessive though.

I've been wanting some sliders for ages, but the companies that make them VWBUSES (DAS MULE) and Syncronutz never have them in stock.

How long do you think until yours will be available Ian?

[silverbullet]

Tom, I can't pass comment on the others, we all know the back-stories. I have got a fair bit on my plate but I will be getting something made to test in the summer (now it appears to be on the way)
As ever, no sense in rushing to be another "me too" as the fine details keep occurring to me daily

[KINGPRAWN]

Ian, I'll have a pair if the price is okay. I don't mind if they come in bare metal.

Ditto on that!!!