North Rockies Design - Project: Hummer

Some actual build progress, none of that 3D nonsense

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:32:39 +0000

Almost a year later, and I finally have an update. I knew this would be slow going…what with my Masters, two jobs, and a house full of kids, time and money has been tight. But, I haven’t given up. I’ve had some steel sitting around waiting to start the Tremor build. Not enough to get through the floor pans in the Tremor plans. Last week I realized I had enough to build the rear end. (both fenders and the rear base for the truck bed). All I needed was time. Yesterday was a paid holiday for the university I work at and the other I’m attending for my Masters, so I decided to get to the shop.

After cleaning a little, and “mounting” the windshield, I got to work.

It took most of the day just to clean, but finally I got to welding. First, I cut all the pieces for the fenders and rear rail for the bed and found myself lacking one rail for an inner fender. I took that from my first welding project ever… my old welding table that was too wobbly to hold anything. Freed up some room in my shop too. That table was becoming a “catch-all” or “junk pile” and wasn’t much use anyway. It’s that mess next to the welder in the above photo.

Next, I made the rear bed rail. That was too easy. So I started on the passenger rear fender.

Just because my kids like to build with me, and my wife wanted to see, but didn’t want to come out into the single digit temps, I brought it in to show her “her fender”.

With the Passenger fender and rear bed rail done, I placed them on the frame rails for temporary placement. I placed a piece of flat stock on top and was tempted to stand on it to test out the strength, but decided it wasn’t stable enough yet. I’ll make sure to do that later. And yes, it does look like it isn’t welded to the truck bed rail…because it isn’t yet. I want to get more pieces together and make sure they’re all square before tacking together.

I like the look, but I think I need bigger tires.

Then, after dinner, I started on the driver’s side rear fender. It was slick and quick because I figured out all the issues with keeping the other square already, but then I ran out of wire for my little Lincoln welder, and it was too late to get more.

Things are getting a little sketchy

admin — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 01:43:52 +0000

Google SketchUp is awesome!

I’ve been using Google SketchUp version 7 Pro, and it’s just plain awesome! I use it for architectural rendering, fabrication and engineering planning, landscaping, hobbies, and even to build virtual studio sets for use in green screen video production. While I use the Pro version, the Free version is quite powerful.

Let me show you how I started and finished a 3D copy of my Hummer replica build in SketchUp.

Since I already have the plans for the TremorMUV Hummer replica, a real 1984 Suburban in my garage…or what’s left of it. I’ll follow along with SketchUp.

Start with this 1986 Suburban from the Google 3D Warehouse:

Remove the Body… like I already did to my 1984 Suburban:

Now in this case, I removed the engine already, and traded up from the model’s existing chassis to one I built from the dimensions of the one in my garage.

For fun, I added an engine, transmission and transfer case, and swapped the wheels. These wheels are 40 inch INTERCO Super Swampers I found in the 3D Warehouse here. The 454 Chevy engine was also from the 3D warehouse.

Then from a clear file, and using the aforementioned plans, I build the cage or body skeleton of the Tremor MUV, accurate to dimensions given, so I could test it out in pixels before I start cutting steel.

And incase anyone asks, no I’m not sharing this file, because of the license agreement I’m in with Rocky Mountain Coachworks. Anyway, legal stuff out of the way, back to sketching. Next, I put the cage on the chassis model.

Looks great! But of course, it’s not finished there. I need body panels, doors, a hood, and all that stuff. I found the taillights, seats, and doors from a Jeep Wrangler model (since I’ll be using the real parts for my real build.). I modeled the body panels, doors (with movable glass), hood (because all others I found were incorrect), bumpers, bumper step, front pushbar, and winch housing. The winch and hood lights were from another model, but I regret I don’t have the reference for it. But, here’s the steering wheel I found for now. I may change it later. That’s one beautiful thing about SketchUp. It’s easy to change a component at any time. You can literally destroy your model and start over without going over budget in the garage.

But, the beauty of SketchUp is that you can “fabricate” anything you want, to try it on for size, style, etc. Here’s a shot with a removable top, to turn the open top Hummer replica into a Hummer wagon replica.

For anyone who has been following my build, I’ve posted some screenshots of hypothetical look influenced by the new Batmobile, the Tumbler from the newer Batman movies.

The Tumbler model comes courtesy of the Google 3D warehouse, linked here.

What else can one do with SketchUp? Nearly anything 3D! I’ve used it for modeling before metal fabrication, small home projects, and in projects for real estate developers. Maybe I could even do something for you…(hint, hint, nudge, nudge).

Thanks for your time!

Surplus Windshield

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:45:59 +0000

I’ve been making some progress on getting the build officially started. Though, it has been mostly behind the scenes type work. After getting the plans, build manuals, and build license from Rocky Mountain Coachworks, I acquired some materials from Pacific Steel & Recycling in Idaho Falls to put together the windshield from the TremorMUV plans. After building the first section, which is the header to the windshield frame,

The first two pieces of the frame header welded together.

I realized it was just a little too heavy – in steel – for my tastes. Knowing I want to try for the soft top version of a Hummer, and knowing that the real thing has a hinged windshield, I decided to go with surplus parts for the windshield. I picked up a HMMWV windshield on ebay and got it just in time for the Easter weekend. After carrying it out to my shop, I was glad I went with the surplus part…It weighed about the same as the steel header.

Three happy travelers in our pretend Hummer

In the meantime, I made a little stand for the steel I got, to keep it off the floor, because I get a nasty leak in the spring…not a moment too soon, there was a puddle on the floor right next to that wall the next day.

Of course, my helper thought it was fun to just be out in the shop.

It’s Official!

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:26:22 +0000

I’ve finally made up my mind what I’ll be building.

Duh! You might say. I’m building a Hummer replica. Well, yes, but for the longest time I hadn’t figured out if I was going to go it alone with no plans to speak of. That’s the part I’ve figured out! i’ve decided to use a tried-and-trusted planset from folks who have paved the way rather nicely.

I’ve received the TremorMUV planset. It’s a set I picked up secondhand—not something I’d recommend anyone else doing, right now I’m missing some of the important parts of the set…the build manuals. I was trying to save a few bucks, but in hindsight I should have saved up for the full planset.

Link and advertisement here:

The folks at Rocky Mountain Coachworks have a nice set put together from a nice working prototype they build a few years back. They’ve got on their website, www.tremormuv.com, everything you need to build a Hummer H1 or HMMWV replica, an extensive build forum with some current builds going on, and, most importantly, the most accurate plan set around that is correct to dimensions of the Hummer H1. The best part is, it’s not a kit. You don’t buy and ship parts from someone else, you put it together yourself, according to your needs. If you want to build it in aluminum, go ahead. If you want bulletproof doors and windows, your choice! If you want a soft-top, hard-top, wagon, slant-back, two-door truck, or to put an ambulance body on the back…go for it!

Now the details: If you’ve been reading along with my replica build, you’ll notice that I’ve been leaning in the direction of an open top like the 2004 Hummer H1 Alpha. It will save on some construction time and materials, not to mention weight. Since I live in Idaho, I’ll be considering a wagon hard-top for the winter. One that I’ve looked at and think will work is the wagon top from CalGoldProducts.com.

An alternative would be fabricating my own similar design out of aluminum. I will cross that bridge when I get to it.

Finally, I like the pseudo-camouflage that Shawn Smith used in his AngryIron.com Special Operator build…

Here’s a photoshopped look for what I’m going for, open top:

soft top:

hard top with a possible logo configuration, so I can write it off for advertising :

Help me save up enough to keep the project moving along…

Hood Design or Hummer Meets Tumbler

admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:50:09 +0000

With fall in full force and winter coming soon, my attention is turning again to “Things I can actually do in the shop.” I might be able to get some steel in this fall/winter and get started on a table first, then some jigs, and maybe even the cage. While I’m working on those funds—and socking away for hospital bills for the upcoming new baby—I’ve gone back to my ideas of hood designs.

First, a point. I have been looking all over for a hood. I can’t find any near Idaho for a price I’m willing to pay. Next, I don’t know how keen I am on building the whole truck myself and getting a used hood. I may change my mind again down the road, but right now, I’m leaning towards building my own hood. Finally, I think there are some aspects of the HMMWV and H1 hood design that are just ugly. Besides, I don’t know yet if I want a fiberglass hood.

Another thought that has crossed my mind is the desire to not have the truck look TOO much like a Hummer. Yes, I know that sounds ridiculous…build a Hummer replica that doesn’t look like a replica. But, I look at it this way: I can build this truck to look any way I want. There’s no rule book that says I have to make it look like anything at all. I can use some aspects of the Hummer that I like, and mix them up with something else that I like….say the Tumbler from the new Christopher Nolan directed Batman movies.

In fact, that’s just what I have been doing.

Start with a nice Hummer hood as a base (like this nicely modified NOPI winner from Shawn Smith of AngryIron.com):

Add pinch of the Tumbler:

These should blend naturally. Think of it. The Tumbler is supposed to be a shelved military vehicle produced by Wayne Enterprises. The Hummer is both the civilian version of and generic term for The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee). Best of both cool superhero combat and real-life military vehicle design.

Now, there is a particular part of the Tumbler than lends itself quite well to transmission to the hummer hood. That is the flat part just above the cockpit for the caped crusader:

So, I first drew out a few ideas on tracing paper over the photo of the Berserker above. It took about four or five times to get that top part just right:

The really difficult part was the front. How do I keep the grill and headlight placement just right, and still incorporate the aggressive look from the Tumbler? What to do now that I’ve essentially eliminated the Hummer turn signals and corresponding fiberglass shape? I can’t just slap this on a Hummer hood and expect it to look ok. This was the most difficult part of the entire design. I finally came up with this:

Obviously, it’s still fairly rough in design. But, I think I like it. Don’t you?

If you do, maybe you could help me save up enough to keep the project moving along…

Lull in the Project

admin — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:14:00 +0000

Retooling, rethinking, but mostly replanning.

As I consider the upcoming work that needs to be done, I have encountered a couple dilemmas.

Here’s dilemma #1:
I have 6 large people in my family… even my youngest are tall for their age. So I am hesitant to put them in a rumble seat between the other two rear seats. For one reason, they might end up kicking the heater/component doghouse that I need to build. The other reason is that even before the older kids move out of the house, the younger ones might be hitting their heads while in the middle rumble seat.

One solution is to do it like Shawn did, six-seater with a soft-top option (which I also don’t think will work in ten of Idaho’s twelve months):

Another option is to lower the floor and go with a look more like Ben’s Badlands here:

But, I’m not a big fan of the Badlands, nor Urban Gorilla. They’re close…but the Tremor is closer.

Dilemma #2:
We’re soon going to have “Hummer-lover #7″ in the family. I first wanted to make a four-door replica like this one by Francois Couture:

or like the Tanto build:

There’s no possible way to have the wife and all five kids in the seats of a four door, so I’m leaning toward the wagon…but I want the soft-top look. I don’t remember seeing a final Tremor in Wagon form, and I’ve never seen a replica or even civilian wagon with a soft-top. Closest I’ve seen in anyis this one:

I would also like to try the removable hard-top for the 10 winter months in Idaho, like this one from Fesler:

But, in wagon form…

So I grabbed a soft-top photo from the net, also from Feslerbuilt.com, and stretched it out for the wagon:

I think I like it.

Boyz in the Hood II

admin — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 12:43:58 +0000

I started out today with a workspace problem. My shop was a mess. It took me nearly an hour to clean up assorted lawn tools, spilled potting soil, hanging baskets, etc. before I could even set up anything to build the hood on. Once it was clean—for the most part—I put an old door on cinder blocks as a table to about the right height for a finished hood.

Here’s a rough framework so I can keep everything straight.

Here’s what’s under the hood.

My working buddy decided to take ten…or twenty.

After getting him back in the house, I was able to get a very, very rough layup together.

I just hope it holds up with all the wind we have today, as my shop is a little drafty.

Boyz in the Hood

admin — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:08:33 +0000

Well, as we all know, Idaho doesn’t exactly get very warm. We lost all of our snow two days before spring, but it snowed again two days after the Vernal Equinox. So I’m not ready to pull the chassis out into the elements. Also, I started scraping off the junk/gunk/funk/nastiness, but its slow going and I got bored with it very quickly.

So I decided to do something else. Something free and fun. I had a large piece of cardboard from our recent bathroom remodel that the bathtub came in. It was just about the perfect size for a HMMWV hood mockup. I took it inside—without too many protests from my wife—and drew out an outline of the hood dimensions. Then returned to the shop this morning with it to test it out.

I had help from my son…

As you can see, it’s a little wide:

But, I found something that runs on renewable energy to put under the hood!

You may be asking if I seriously think I can use a cardboard hood on a truck…No, I don’t. I’m going to be building a fiberglass molding plug/modeling buck/whatever-you-want-to-call-it and molding my own hood. Three reasons I don’t want to buy one. First, I’m trying to save money. Second, I want to be able to make another one if I decide I like the first Hummer. Third, I want to learn how to use fiberglass!

So in the saving money department, let me tell you how I gathered up some styrofoam for the mockup. I piled my two little kids in the car, and rolled around town to Sears, and WalMart, KMart, etc. looking for styrofoam from furniture and electronics packaging. It’s cool because not only is it free, but it helps reuse a little bit that might otherwise go to the landfill. I got the idea from Andrew Junge—check out his recent work for a styrofoam hummer.

Anyway, when the box stores were not very helpful—many thanks to recent trend away from styrofoam packaging to more use of cardboard—we headed around town to some apartment housing. We found just a few pieces we could use. We found some long and flat pieces from furniture boxes like I would have expected, and laying around near a construction site we found some thick pink Owens Corning Foamular250. Realizing the connection, I pulled in and asked if the workers had any more scraps. No luck there, but I remembered that the guy at the landfill let me salvage steel in the past for making knives. Maybe he would let me salvage some construction foam.

After work yesterday, I headed to the landfill. In the 20 minutes I was there before they had to close the gate, I got a nice pile. If it’s not enough for the hood, it will definitely be a good start. Here’s a photo:

Nothing Says I Love You like…

admin — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:27:01 +0000

My sweetheart was Ok with me taking her out twice in the previous week. We danced, we dined, we left the kids at home. So when I said, “Honey, do you mind if I want to spend some time in the shop today? I know it’s Valentine’s Day.” She was totally fine with it. Nothing says I love you like spending money for a bathroom remodel and new stove for her, so I can go play when I want.

I ran into a little snag though, I’m in a tool issue again. I need to clean the frame, but it’s Idaho in February. I can wait until it gets warm enough to wash it proper

Or I can try with a brush on my drill

So I sanded it a little. I think I’ll wait to clean it. But I will go ahead with relocating the body mounts to between the frame rails. This will allow the body to sit on the outsides of the rails without raising it.

Feb 05, 2009: Some Clean-up

admin — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:17:24 +0000

I found this on the back of the frame. I removed it, I might use it on my Hummer

The rest of the truck is still pretty dirty.