Landing gear

[Jim Blackwood]

Here is the first install shot of the forward jack.Unfortunately it turns out the rear legs of the bogies are not fully boxed. That means it has to come back out for more welding and angles will have to be attached to the sides of the bogies for the truss to bolt into. Easiest might be the outboard sides but if the walls are thin, say under 3/8" then it will make more sense to drill through both sides and put the angles inboard. I'll know more after I make up the angles and drill the first pilot hole. That pushes me back a week or so.

This problem will not come up at the rear as the construction is different.

Jim

[Jim Blackwood]

The rear legs of the bogies turned out to be only around 1/8" thick, maybe a bit more. So I cut some 3/16 x 2" angle iron to attach vertically to tie in the truss. It has to go on the outside since there is a panel between the rails. I have a couple of options here. I've ordered a nutsert tool that handles up to 1/2-13 nutserts and will use those in the bulkhead panel, then to attach the angles to the bogie legs I can use more nutserts and/or mig weld. Sort of leaning towards the belt and suspenders approach since the material is a bit on the thin side.

Jim

[richard5933]

Jim - what exactly are we looking at here? Hard to tell without a photo from a bit further away. Is that a single unit in the center of the front?

[chessie4905]

the wiring chase overhead would indicate front center strut. although not centered but offset is to heavy side? ft.

[Jim Blackwood]

Yes, it is centered in the bus. No offset at all but the photo and the asymetrical truss may make it look like there is. The asymetry is due to the fresh air duct on the left but the length of the truss legs is equal on both sides. What you are looking at is the forward bulkhead of the front bay. and the large holes in the truss ends are centered on the downlegs of the front suspension subframe.

Now there isn't enough structure there to fully support the weight of the bus with the jack so I need to add reinforcement on the front side of the bulkhead.

Jim