DIY Swing Arm

[BCgee]

Here’s the visual story of last weekend’s DIY project: a bumper swing arm on the van for carrying bikes, tools, and more.

Started the process with a GW tow pkg rear bumper that I reinforced in the corner, and an upper GW ladder. However, the steep price-tag, lack of robust features, and lower weight limit on GW's swing arm kit made the case for a custom swing arm. Given I had the GW items as new-to-us at a discount but am function-focused and not brand loyal, I considered the VanCafe or Burley sheet metal swing away on the rear upper van pillar, but ultimately decided to stick with a straightforward bumper swing arm build.

Used a 1/4” dual sheer steel bracket, massive 2 3/8 collar, and greased internal bearings on a 3/8” grade eight bolt, suitably overbuilt. The swing arm is 2x3” 1/8” tube also with grade 8 bolts for the removable upper ladder. The swing arm locks at 90 and 110 deg when open, plus an interior latch that drops into a new hole in the bumper: both latches are welded up but use replaceable spring based pins for security and longevity.

I ended up needing to tweak and bend the swing arm top plate to match the GW ladder base's angle, a factor I hadn't originally considered. It didn't look pretty at first but after paint and in practice it works fine with the ladder, and without the ladder it easily attaches to our XL aluminum tool box with another bracket I fabbed up.

A primary emphasis of this swing arm is hauling family bikes, specifically the monster heavy SurlyBigDummy cargo bike via a modified Yakima FrontLoader, while still being able to tow the raft trailer. Total materials cost was about $150, and I'll also recommend the new Titanium 125 flux mig welder from Harbor Freight, picked up to complement my old Lincoln stick welder. The 125 is surprisingly robust, super lightweight with lots of adjustability; it did great on thinner steel at a significant price savings compared to a name-brand flux mig set-up. Looking forward to using the 125 on a roof rack tube build for the hightop.

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1987 SVX Syncro Hightop

[squeegee_boy]

Nice work. I used the same hinge for a 2 sided rack on my van. They're fantastic

Available here if anyone's interested:

https://www.4xinnovations.com/Swing-Out-Tire-Carrier-Hinge-Assembly_p_109.html

There is a right and left side available. Not cheap, but they'll hold up a team of horses.

Robyn
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1984 FrankenSyncro Westy. EJ25 RMW kit
1971 Super Beetle with an EJ22. Oh yes. Daily driver

[fleetwood41]

That's freaking great work man!

All for a Big Dummy, nonetheless.
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1987 2WD w/ 2.5 Subi & Poptop Conversion

[vanis13]

Very nice! I'd love to see a closeup and parts list for your top latch

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83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make

[jimf909]

The top latch is what came to mind for me as well. I think on both the RMW and GW swingy-outs the top latch could be improved, perhaps by clamping or bolting a more positive engagement point to the top of the hatch. Just latching to the top of the hatch is a wear point. The vinyl on the latch wears through then there's metal on metal touching. I have RMW racks and they're outstanding but I'd point to that latch as being 1 step behind the quality of the rest of the rack.
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- Jim

[BCgee]

[thatbaldwinlife]

Love it when people build their own stuff.
nate
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1987 Westy
Insta: @Thatbaldwinlife
Vanagon Adventure and DIY videos:
That Baldwin Life YouTube Channel

[designer]

BCGee if you're still around ... so the spring loaded pin you're using to hold the swing to the bumper ... is that holding up well?

It's the same one as the hold out for the arm when opened and i'm in the middle of a build now and hadn't thought of that option.

Been contrasting and comparing the various latches like you were considering, but haven't settled on one yet. Some are way too long for my liking. Especially for up top ...

I've got my bumper all welded up and I made a swing away hinge from scratch but am still working through securing it when closed.
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87 Syncro Westy : 2.5l

"It is that annoying, accelerating downhill so I can make it up the next hill in the same gear. Foot to floor hoping I can get out of the way of other cars getting onto the highway." - somebody on here around 2013.

[TopBud]

I have this pin. Seems pretty awesome. I will be adding another modification to my bumper soon.
https://www.amazon.com/Innovative-Components-AI1-2...6P6Y8753NF
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86 bostig SYNCRO
66 convertible Karmann Ghia

[Chilepines]

Anyone ever try bolting a hinge like this to a RMW bumper at the existing chain loop mounting points? I just want to mount a water and Bas container - not a heavy tire or bike.
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White 89 Westy with 2004 Subaru EJ25 - Betty