Everyone, check it out, Simon has tested several versions and will release the winner soon, here's a sneak peak he's offered. Fun video, I was 10 again watching it!


Hi Wade

We have been working on this

Here is my video I plan to publish soon - feel free to share


Let me know your thoughts.

The replacement hinges are on order - I am sure of the price yet - I will try and get them as cheap as i can...

Simon

 

I can only imagine what the cost will be on the billet stainless hinge. Looks pretty though. I'd have maybe taken a different approach to the design.

 

Fantastic video.

I think Aluminum is the way to go. Will probably make a better price point. I don't know. Al seem to confer plenty of strength.

Simon and co really are legends.

A 6 rung ladder before the year is out. Color me tickled-pink.

 

I will be buying a set as soon as Simon gets them to market. He and his crew are legends for sure. They will be bringing to market a CANbus system for the defender soon.

 

Had a quick 5 minute break at the ole 9-to-5 and did a rought sketch up of what I had in mind. Or at least a single piece of what I had in mind.

Note this isn't at all dimensionally accurate, just a rough sketch and the reliefs to allow full articulation aren't properly cut in.

This would be bent from waterjetted1/8" mild steel (powdercoated to prevent rust) and could be turned around by SendCutSend in a matter of days for probably less than $50 per hinge. I'd add a delrin bushing in between the sandwiched hinge halves to keep it from pinching in on itself but this would be more than capable of taking the weight that the rest of the widdle wadder can handle.

 

Just wondering if you guys are considering galvanic corrosion when selecting materials for the replacement hinges. Not sure stainless is the best choice mated with aluminum- mightn't it cause the aluminum to be eaten away? I think galvanized steel would be a better choice. Just my two cents.

(Here's just one of many charts online illustrating the issue: https://structx.com/Material_Properties_001.html)

 

Thanks to powerful UK for this video. I still cannot believe Land Rover is not putting a stop sale on these ladders by issuing a recall. Do the folks at JLR look and monitor these forums?
Land Rover needs to step in and do something. This is a safety issue. Has anyone reported this to the NHTSA?

 

The through-bolt is already introducing galvanic corrosion into the equation even in the OEM arrangement. It's almost impossible to completely eliminate it. It can happen even between different grades of the same metal. The best thing to do - especially if you're near the ocean or live in the salty northeast is keep an eye on it.

 

What would you do for the other side of the joint? Lots of pressure generated by the coupling, something would have to keep it from buckling. Rad idea though, much easer to bend a piece of cut steel.

 

Obviously the other half would slot inside the above piece and then would need to be padded out where it slotted into the ladder frame.

The way the whole hinge bump-stops would be tricky for sure.

I'll wait to see what Simon comes out with and for what price before I spend anymore than 5 minutes on making my idea more concrete.