Inside tunnel bracing

[danjpohl]

I was thinking of making some tunnel braces. Any reason I could not put them on the inside of the rear? First thoughts are 1/8" thick aluminum with cutouts only around the rivets and bolts. I figure it will be a little heavier being solid but would probably make up for it by not giving the snow something to stick to.

Anyone have any thoughts on putting them on the inside?

THANKS

 

[Snodawg]

You can drill some holes in the solid piece to lighten it.
This is what we used to do when installing the M-10 suspension. We would run a stiffener in the inside of the tunnel from the front suspension mount bolt all the way to the rear bolt or sometimes even to the bumper. It was kind of the forerunner to the VE Boondocker tunnel.

Here is one that we put on a sled, but this one doesn't go all the way back.

 

[danjpohl]

You can drill some holes in the solid piece to lighten it.
This is what we used to do when installing the M-10 suspension. We would run a stiffener in the inside of the tunnel from the front suspension mount bolt all the way to the rear bolt or sometimes even to the bumper. It was kind of the forerunner to the VE Boondocker tunnel.

Here is one that we put on a sled, but this one doesn't go all the way back.

Just re-wrote this... Working on no sleep and cannot write!

Sorry, just getting back!!! Looks good, how thick did you go?

I have cad drawing ready to send to be cut for 163" 2012 pro.

Brace goes from the suspension brace all the way back to the bumper. Goes around the rivets self piercing rivets. Once have it on the sled we remove the running board bracket bolts, bumper bolts and the couple normal rivets and then drill through their holes and the brace to give it a good solid fit.

Made the holes a little big because the rivet locations do not line up the same on both sides of the sled.

Now I just need to figure out Aluminum or Stainless and how thick. May powder-coat them as well

 

[srosscojw]

inside and outside tunnel braces using factory holes and location

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252963