To stinger or not to stinger.......... that is the question!

[NC Zuk]

Ok, I gotta figure out what to do with teh front of the popsicle. I like some stingers, hate others. I think they can serve a purpose IF done correctly. I just don't know what to do up there. Vote and post your opinions and help me out.

THIS IS TECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! don't move it

[jerseyzuks]

Done right, they look good and are very functional. 

Done wrong, they are pointless and look stupid

[orfwzuk]

there is a droop off Jellico TN stinger is helpfull to keep from doing a end over

[zukIzzy]

Well positioned short stinger for radiator protection in  a Sammy Davis stye back flip on Dump bump. It could get you home when you would have been on the end of a strap . thats my vote.



Hard to see but this one has lots of rock rash on it now and has stood the whole rig on it several times. she would have been on her hear if it weren't there.

Wayne

[NC Zuk]

Wayne, What approach angle do you suppose Cathlene's rig has with that stinger?

[dabomb5756]

I built a little one just to place my winch behind it, and mount a fairlead to. It isnt big, and it actually has two bends instead of one big arch.

[NC Zuk]

I'm thinking of making some hood protection like this sammi has. I think it looks cool and definately serves a purpose.

[wflaw45]

i like that last one you posted art, maybe if you built a stinger off the "bottom corners" and had suppots that went to the "upper corners" it would look cool, after lunch i might do a MS paint version of it if that doesnt sound clear

[NC Zuk]

i like that last one you posted art, maybe if you built a stinger off the "bottom corners" and had suppots that went to the "upper corners" it would look cool, after lunch i might do a MS paint version of it if that doesnt sound clear

I know what you mean. If I do a stinger it will come off of the ends of the frame

[VA88ZUK]

I like the stingers personally and am going to have one fabbed on my RRO bumper along with a grill guard. I say go with it. I am a believer in form over function but there are times that you can have both. If done right, a stinger can give you both. I'm looking at having mine come to almost hood height w/ provisions for a pair of lights. If you've seen it, like was done on the "TRUCKS" build of the Crazy Horse Bronco.
just my .02

Good Luck

[norzuki]

Art,

I voted to "stinger" ........... however what we talked about yesterday TIRES  if you still want to do that you will have to keep the stinger up and out of the way in my opinion.


David, Rage -n- Drake

[Joe S.]

the stinger and tube i had on my trail rig saved my sheet several times from trees. i like em, and one day my red one will have one.

[zukIzzy]

Wayne, What approach angle do you suppose Cathlene's rig has with that stinger?

I could measure but the leafs hit long before  the stinger and there is 2" extention on the frame so it could be tighter. It actualy welds inside the end of the frame tube. I notches the top and side of the frame tube so id could ba as clean as possible.

JV gotr canceled so I can measure and let you know in a few.

Wayne

[NC Zuk]

Art,

I voted to "stinger" ........... however what we talked about yesterday TIRES  if you still want to do that you will have to keep the stinger up and out of the way in my opinion.


David, Rage -n- Drake

Yea, I was thinking about that as well as how close I came to tumbling end over end last summer in Moab. I remember the feeling and it isn't good So now I am thinking of the stinger to save my butt

I could measure but the leafs hit long before  the stinger and there is 2" extention on the frame so it could be tighter. It actualy welds inside the end of the frame tube. I notches the top and side of the frame tube so id could ba as clean as possible.

JV gotr canceled so I can measure and let you know in a few.

Wayne

Thanks Wayne, i'm trying to figure out what the ideal anle will be to maintain approach angle and keep it from rolling over. Right now I have a 90 degree approach angle with no stinger

[SammyIammy]

Stinger I say! NC you da man so Im sure it will be KEWL as heck and functional!

[rangerscott]

Whats a stinger and whats it's main purpose?

[NC Zuk]

Whats a stinger and whats it's main purpose?

A stinger is some tubing bent in an upsidedown V that leans forward from the front of a vehicle. It's purpose it to prevent a vehicle from flipping over when coming down over a ledge or extremely steep descent. Here is a pic of the stinger bumper trail Tough sells so you can get the point.

[Tinbeater]

I couldn't imagine not having one the way we wheel. Its saved my front quite a few times.

[jerseyzuks]

First attempt at a MS paint stinger

[zukIzzy]

Art

With the 35" tires here are the angles

To the spring hanger 75*
to the stinger 80*
If it were linked (no leaf springs) it would be about 85* with that stinger
Keep in mind I cant cut that frame down any or it is not legal for our class. It would be real easy to make it 90* or better with a bit of creative frame trimming.

Look at the photo shop jerseyzuks did. do it just like that only have the bottom of the singer be on the bottom of the frame and notch the top and inside to make is clear and have no additional hang over due the the stinger then it collects the whole circumference of the frame for strength.

Hope this helps

Wayne

[NC Zuk]

Art

With the 35" tires here are the angles

To the spring hanger 75*
to the stinger 80*
If it were linked (no leaf springs) it would be about 85* with that stinger
Keep in mind I cant cut that frame down any or it is not legal for our class. It would be real easy to make it 90* or better with a bit of creative frame trimming.

Look at the photo shop jerseyzuks did. do it just like that only have the bottom of the singer be on the bottom of the frame and notch the top and inside to make is clear and have no additional hang over due the the stinger then it collects the whole circumference of the frame for strength.

Hope this helps

Wayne

Thanks Wayne. I understand exactly what you are talking about with the mounting process   I am thinking an 80 degree angle may be in the ballpark of what i am looking for. I don't want it straight up and I don't want it to look like a cooler rack either

Dan, I'm gonna get a good frontal shot so people can go paint crazy

[jerseyzuks]

Dan, I'm gonna get a good frontal shot so people can go paint crazy

Here's kinda what I had in mind above, but a side view...

[pwsx3]

I personaly don't like the looks of them. There was a thread about this over on Colorado4x4 and the one thing they were saying is that if you did a end over that the stinger will make you roll sideways instead of straight over when it hits the stinger. Now if that is a good thing or not I don't know but just something to think about.

I thought you did the longer wheelbase so you didn't have to worry about endo's?

Good luck with whatever you do, after seeing your work I know it will look nice.

[NC Zuk]

I have given a lot of thought to the subject and still haven't made up my mind. I know what you are talking about with the endo vs. side roll and the jury is still out in my mind. The added wheelbase wasn't so much for the ledge descents, it was to help with the ascents   I won't know what it will really look like until it is done. I just like to try and induce thought and allow people to help me work through the process.


Here is a pic to play around with. It looks like my frame is crooked but it is the hood that is sitting funky. I just hald the camera at an angle to give a good hood plane to work off of. Oh yea, yes, that is where the steering box will be sitting It protruded out about 7 inches past the front of the hood so please give consideration to that in your paint chopping I also placed my lights where I think they will end up. That will also give you some things to think about.

[pwsx3]

I'm not sure but it looks like your tires are going to stick out far enough that they will hit first on any hill that you plan on climbing so you won't need the stinger to help you climb. I guess I'm just used to all the Jeep guys out here building ones that stick out a mile in front & look like ca-ca...

[MrHawk]

Did this one before you posted that last pic.

Might do another one tomorrow with that new one.

[ddement]

 My paint skills suck but  here goes 

[zukiboy]

this is what we have planned for daves truck......it has a hoop at the front like a stinger but it's not taller than the hood will be

I'm thinking of making some hood protection like this sammi has. I think it looks cool and definately serves a purpose.

[VA88ZUK]

Art, is thing still going to be streetable or are you relagating it to trailer only status? I guess now that I think about it and after seeing Greg's rig, in N.C. just about anything goes for street use. Unfortunately here in VA neigther would be allowed on the road.

[zukiboy]

are stingers illegal in VA 

[nor-cal zukini]

I like the looks of this,   Isands Zuk

[NewZuki]

My paint skills suck but  here goes 

Keep in mind that you will not be able to bend that tight of an angle.  What die did you buy Art.  Our 1 3/4 and 1 1/2 is i beleive a 6" centerline radius.

[sammi_davis]

I like them ... without it I would have lost my radiatior on Dump Bump . They can get a little too phallic on some rigs though .

[NC Zuk]

Keep in mind that you will not be able to bend that tight of an angle.  What die did you buy Art.  Our 1 3/4 and 1 1/2 is i beleive a 6" centerline radius.

The die I am using is a 6 inch centerline. It can get tight but not that tight

Guys, keep em coming!

[MaineZuke]

not mine, but an idea

[zukIzzy]

pull a string from our roll cage A-hoop and then to your radiator or hood make it a bit taller than that line but not too much. Some of the ones I have seen look like compensation for something on the builders part . I like Greg's like he said he wheeled the rest of the trip and would have been working on a new radiator if he hadn't had it.

As for side roll opposed to front endo. I have done both and would rather flop on my side than endo. Both my endos did major damage as in replace the frame and cage kind of damage. flops unusually cause some body work but that is it if you have prepared your rig.

Wayne

[wheelnrock]

not mine, but an idea

:oBoy you just have all the pics!I like that one too for some reason.Its just missing the ram assist steering!

[durnzuki]

  I won't say I like the way alot of them look but looks aint everything.  The buggy I'm building WILL have one.

[DirtJumper]

MrHawk's is nice render is nice, I like 

[Blue Ridge Runner]

This is the style I like:

[NC Zuk]

Hey, we need more paintshop action in this thread!

[Whitfield]

I think anything to slow the velocity in a roll over is a good thing.  A stinger will slow the momentum and pitch you sideways.  Some of the endo's get right violent.   I voted for the stinger.

[frwinks]

hahaha... I was in the same boat two weeks ago.... 
stinger....no stinger....stinger....no stinger....then I just went ahead, bent some tube put it up and decided I liked it, so I kept it



engine bar ties everything together..

[freewheelin]

I vote stinger. Not necessarily because their cool,but because they work. Help save the throttle body from being crushed if/when ya spontaneously flop over.  Just don't get all crazy and have it waaaay too tall.

Warning: shameless self promotion ahead...
here is mine,in case you haven't seen it 

[Joe S.]

I vote stinger. Not necessarily because their cool,but because they work. Help save the throttle body from being crushed if/when ya spontaneously flop over.  Just don't get all crazy and have it waaaay too tall.

Warning: shameless self promotion ahead...
here is mine,in case you haven't seen it 

that looks awesome, but would it be suitable to help prevent and endo as vertical as it is? i dont know anything about designing, so i am not critquing, just curioius!

[freewheelin]

that looks awesome, but would it be suitable to help prevent and endo as vertical as it is? i dont know anything about designing, so i am not critquing, just curioius!

No,wouldn't stop the sammi from going nose over. The tires are the furthest thing forward.Its there to help protect the motor if, by chance, I ever get it finished and happen to roll over 

[MrHawk]

Did another one 

[Scott410]

I like this one.

[Tusker]

Art,  I would do one.  I agree that they can look somewhere between really cool and ridiculous, but you plan your stuff out so well that I am sure yours will look COOL    In addition, it may save at least some of your bacon some day

[Joe S.]

by chance, I ever get it finished and happen to roll over 

i dont know why, but that cracked me up!

[eruby]

Art,  I would do one.  I agree that they can look somewhere between really cool and ridiculous, but you plan your stuff out so well that I am sure yours will look COOL    In addition, it may save at least some of your bacon some day

X2. if i had a built rig like yours, i'd have a stinger front and maybe even rear. i would only do one for the functional purpose of reducing possible endos. if it weren't built strong enough for that, i'd skip it. i was showing off my new 5.14s going up a bank and ended up on my spare tire with my front tires off the ground. didn't like that feeling and wasn't sure how long my tailgate was gonna hold but came off of it with no scratches. still pretty skerd going down edges with the short wheelbase of the sammy. mine's still pretty stock looking compared to 'the cicle' so i'm not really ready for a stinger. just gotta watch where i go.

[samilitant]

I don't like when they're obnoxiously huge, but I think all Art's renditions on photoshop have been nice, with the last one my favorite.  I would keep it somewhat simple if you can though.  You still need to get over the thing to work underhood.

Mine..not gussetted yet--plan on adding side legs and tie-ins rearward to frame with 1.25" tubing(this is 1.75")

[hughmungas]

This one is nice




from http://www.izook.com/features/supersami/supersami.htm

[samilitant]

A side shot of the angle on mine.  This is about the max I would do unless you're running a comp buggy.  But everyone's different.  Do what YOU like, that's what's important.

[NC Zuk]

Thanks Gary, you are right, that is about the max I would go.

Appreciate the pics everyone!

[Orionn]

I dont know....I am kinda partial to this one:

[NC Zuk]

Chris' Buggy was sweet for sure but that stinger didn't protect anything but the winch

[Joe S.]

mine was a bit big. hard to get in there to change the coolant or heaven forbid the radiator!

[Orionn]

Chris' Buggy was sweet for sure but that stinger didn't protect anything but the winch

Looked beter than the original one.  Granted, it is a bit smallish....

[samilitant]

I think they all look great.  But there is a design flaw for turtle-flops.

[Kermit]

I think they all look great.  But there is a design flaw for turtle-flops.

Now that is ART!

[Orionn]

OH, you mean like this?:



Yes I know there is sand there, but the Radiator sits below front tube clip, so its protected. No fluids leaked out in that roll.

I was trying to show a theme with the original pic.....you can always adjust the size of the stinger to suit the purpose.

[samilitant]

Awesome.  Just awesome.  Nice roll there!   

[GeneralChaos]

Something sutle would be good. I like the superman zuk setup.

sorry I can't add more.

Steve

[NC Zuk]

Well it's getting a Stinger because I bent it tonight Too dark for pics and it is just a piece of bent tubing. Nothing to see here folks!

[VA88ZUK]

Nothing to see here folks!

Hey Art, Isn't that supposed to be one of my lines??


Patrick

[redidbull]

Someday I am going to put one of these on.  I think a short stinger looks good. Jim

[Chris Geiger]

I don’t particularly like the look of stingers but I’ve bounced on my nose a few times and I believe it gives you a better chance of coming back down on the wheels. If you do roll over the stinger helps prevent damage to the radiator and motor, making it more likely that it will still drive home.

Here is the stinger I am building into the front of my Samurai....

[Marshall]

I don’t particularly like the look of stingers but I’ve bounced on my nose a few times and I believe it gives you a better chance of coming back down on the wheels. If you do roll over the stinger helps prevent damage to the radiator and motor, making it more likely that it will still drive home.

Here is the stinger I am building into the front of my Samurai....

Also like Chris is going to do there, gives you a good spot to tie in an Exo-cage.

[Blanco]

Cool pics I'm glad I found this thread....
Cause I wanna build one too...
But most pics just show them welded at the frame with out much addtional support shouldnt their be more bracing to keep the stinger from folding back? 

[samilitant]

Yes, the ones you see that aren't braced are "in the works" still.  There needs to be some bracing toward the rear for it to support the vehicle should you need to use it.

[Blanco]

Yes, the ones you see that aren't braced are "in the works" still.  There needs to be some bracing toward the rear for it to support the vehicle should you need to use it.

Yeah thats what I was thinking ...
So I'm watching this Closely..
& what tubing size do you guys think would be best for this & why?
 
My friend tells me he has a 1&3/4 die for his bender But can probably borrow different sizes..

[1bigtracker]

not mine, but an idea

another:

[Joe S.]

love the dove tail

[samilitant]

I used 1 3/4"x.135 wall ERW tubing, same as my whole cage.

[rngrdv]

OK. My question is how would you do a stinger on a street legal DD without an exo cage? I saw one in here that went through the front end to ...? Would you take that back and tie it to the A pillar? Reason asking is that there are some places around here that being in a Sammie, I am the only one that can make it through. I even have to take off my Bushwhackers for some of them.

I really do like the ideas and reasond for a stinger but need it to be legal to drive on the streets in the capitol city of Cali.

[MIDZUKI]

Im getting ready to build a stinger bumper for my sammy. I dont have an exo cage. i was going to weld a piece of square tube to my shackle reverse towers while tieing it in to the bolt holes. then weld a small stinger hoop to that with gussets bqack to frame rails. what do you think?

[VTSamurai]

I just built a stinger/bumper a couple of weekends ago.  Its not exactly what I wanted, but its really growing on me, and it turned out pretty good for the time/supplies we had.  I have never seen a pointed stinger before, so I figured what the hell.  Its strong as heck, and its functional, but just takes a minute to get used too.  Also changed he suzuki emblem on the grill...i know, im a redneck.

[VTSamurai]

Also, this way if I hit a deer, I just keep on drivin with him impailed on the front...no need to get out and strap him to the hood.

[FullTilt]

Also, this way if I hit a deer, I just keep on drivin with him impailed on the front...no need to get out and strap him to the hood.

Oddly enough that is EXACTLY what I was thinking when I saw it!  I like it it looks dangerous 
F_T

[samilitant]

2 more pics..I just braced mine to finish off the front.  I *may* run some tubes rearward, but I think it's pretty strong as is.