OC 12 rock guards?

[rockaukum]

Hey Folks,
I'm soon to be making a set of rock guards for my Thiokol. Just did a "repair" to the drop box, these have been dragged over god knows what. Or maybe this is just normal but I certainly don't think so. Just finished replacing the pinion seal as it was leaking and found another leak at one of the bottom bolts of the drop box. I decided to go with JB Weld steel stick, a two part epoxy putty mix, to try a repair. I hope it works.
Anyway, due to the wear, I thought it would be good to install a little prevention.
What I am looking for is how they are mounted to the frame. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
Enjoy the pictures.
ra
Product used:

Problem area:

Fixed?

This is the mounting bracket, It is bolted around the upper portion of the drop box and goes forward to the cross member mid bed area. Other than that, the rear has the pintle hitch mount.

Looking down at the diff. you can see the brackets and where they mount.

 

[PJL]

1988 LMC1200 with the OC-12.

 

[rockaukum]

PJL,
Thank you for the photos. I was thinking 1/4" for the band, however yours look much thicker, like 3/8".
That gives me ideas on how to proceed.
Thanks,
ra

 

[PJL]

I didn't measure the thickness. I can check. They are very robust.

 

[rockaukum]

PJL,
Not really necessary if it involves a special trip. I can guesstimate based on the bolt head, comparing that to the thickness of the strap.
Do you know if those are factory or someone made them?
Thank you,
ra

 

[vintagebike]

our 2100b OC12 rock guards and axle support

 

[rockaukum]

Vintagebike,
Thanks for posting the photos as well. The more I see the better ideas I get. For instance, I was thinking of using a 4.5 or 5" plate and welding flat stock on the vertices, both sides. Hard to find flat stock (for me anyway) with that width. Seeing yours and PJL's photos, I see there is no plates on the outside of the dropbox. Do you guys think it is not necessary because of the close proximity to the belts? Thinking they are / will be protected because they are close together?
It would be much easier to get 4" flat stock and plate on the inside leaving the outside open.
ra

 

[PJL]

The big hoop part is 1/2 inch. The thinner plate is 3/16th. I believe it's factory. It came that way from the Navy and they were the original owner of it.

 

[rockaukum]

Update on the progress.
The guards are build out of 3/8" steel with a smaller thickness of plate to reinforce the cross section.
I made a template out of wood thinking I could bend the metal between the positive and negative molds. Wrong. Without heat, it just was not going to work. Plan number two was to put it in the press and manually bend the metal to the shape of the mold. This one worked. It took some time and patience but it was successful. I got it all put back together and am working on the track install. There has to be an easier way to get those buggers on!
Enjoy the photos.
ra

 

[PJL]

Well done Rock!