AEV Snorkel Custom A-Pillar Bracket

[81bronco]

Recently installed the AEV snorkel and I'm really enjoying it. Thought I'd share some info about the bracket I made to replace the a-pillar mount that AEV provides.

The included bracket for mounting the neck of the snorkel requires drilling a few holes in your windshield frame and prevents the windshield from being lowered. For the gas versions, AEV makes an optional bracket that snakes in between the door and frame to bolt to existing holes in the a-pillar cage. Unfortunately, they do not make this bracket for the diesel version due to lower demand so I decided to make one myself.

I started by looking at the gas bracket and modelled my version in CAD. I was able to 3D print prototypes along the way to make sure the bends followed the a-pillar and lined up with the snorkel mount as well as the grab bar handle holes where it would eventually bolt in. After quite a few test fits, I finally had something that fit nicely and I was able to upload the design to SendCutSend to get the bracket made out of steel.

The final part needed a little tweak here and there and some paint, but overall it fit really nicely and holds the snorkel solidly. Best of all, I can still drop the windshield relatively easily for cleaning/wiring/ etc. purposes.

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[Flip]

Wow! Nice job bro.

 

[Duc Hunter]

That looks amazing. Any chance you can share the love and we can get one? Of get the file to print ourselves?

 

[Turniipp]

∆∆this∆∆

I'd gladly spend a few dollars for this as well.

 

[jpribe]

I love send-cut-send. Great service everytime!

 

[81bronco]

That looks amazing. Any chance you can share the love and we can get one? Of get the file to print ourselves?

I don't mind sharing the CAD file I used for SendCutSend. Keep in mind though, it is not bolt-on ready when it comes back - it will need to be tweaked a bit. The edges will need to be filed and the bends will need smoothing near the edges as well.

The file is attached as "Diesel_Version_v14.zip", which contains the final CAD rendering that can be uploaded to SendCutSend.

The file is set up to be bent out of mild steel as shown in the image. You could probably choose an aluminum of a similar thickness, but it might not bend the same.

When you upload the file and it goes through the process, there will be a warning about insufficient bend relief. I think this is why the bends need smoothing a bit in the finished part, but mine ran through OK, it just required the tweaking I mentioned above.
(all of these bends will be pre-set for you when the file is uploaded - no need to enter the info yourself)

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