Hail guard for a storm spotter truck help

[DHayes]

I'm hoping someone here might be able to assist me with a project I need to get done before spring. I am a storm spotter here in Wichita KS and I need to build a hail guard for my truck. I have a roof rack installed that I plan to secure this to. What I'm hoping to do is something like this:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ztdqHrTySdw/SxRLpOvqEyI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/qasLDkkFQTE/hailguard.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ztdqHrTySdw/SxRM58h-GVI/AAAAAAAAAds/AFlqRbT3s3c/hailguard2.jpg

I want to make this from 1.5-2" OD pipe. I've been searching for hours and can't seem to find weld in elbow hinges. Basically hinges that will won't open more than 180 degrees. They need to be really strong and take a whack from a hail stone the size of a softball. Then when I don't need it I can raise it up and secure it with some bungee cord. If anyone has any suggestions I sure would appreciate it.

[AnotherDano]

Check out the boating equipment suppliers. The have some pretty big canopies/convertable tops on the big boats, that have to be pretty tough. Those canopies/covers are mounted to hinges like you seem to be looking for.

[Ferntj]

If you can't find the hinge you are looking for conseder but welding both sides to a big door hinge (one made for a gate or barn door). It would have to be a hinge made to fold together flat.

[whateg0]

Come on by! If you can't find it, we'll make it! What part of Doodah are you in?

Dave

[MXtras]

When I can't find exactly what I am looking for, I just make it.

You could always get a pivot that will fit and then lock it in with a sliding sleeve that slides over the pivot to lock it in the straight position.

Scott

[usmcpop]

There are many examples of folding hinges. Do a google image search on these various terms:

folding hinge
hinged pole
flagpole hinge

You just make a hinge that has the pivot point at the top. Examples are the old folding rulers, some folding bicycles

[DHayes]

Come on by! If you can't find it, we'll make it! What part of Doodah are you in?

Dave

Oddly enough you're right next door. I'm over in Rose hill.

[whateg0]

One thing that you'll need to keep in mind is that not only do you need a hinge that will not open more than 180*, but you also will need a way to lock it in that position. Otherwise, it will probably want to blow upward when going down the road, even if you use x-metal. Shouldn't be too hard to make, though. My folding ladder uses a locking system that has a dog that locks the arms in different positions.

Dave

[DHayes]

After doing some Google searching on these other terms you all provided I ran across these cultivators. I really like the simplicity of these hinges and if I could possibly integrate in hydraulic/seal electrical actuator that would be fantastic.

http://www.lorenzmfg.com/cultivator2.jpg

[Broccoli1]

Mount it to the Hood so it flips UP like a Jeep Windshield and then attaches to the Roof Rack.

As far has a 180 deg Locking Hinge- just use Channel under the Pipe

[DHayes]

Ok I finally got the pictures today. Here's what I got to work with:

This is under the hood looking at the passenger side hood hinge
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ztdqHrTySdw/Sxr4nQdgArI/AAAAAAAAAiE/lpO1efmHcdc/IMG_1303.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ztdqHrTySdw/Sxr4nQBH28I/AAAAAAAAAiI/56uAWrXIjm4/IMG_1305.jpg

And this is from the windshield looking down at that area. Nice that there is a factory gap right here so installing a mounting bracket here should be pretty easy. The gap around the hood looks to be about 1/4". I guess some 3/16 plate would work pretty good right here.

I'd love to make this out of tube just to keep it from looking red neck. I need to find someone with tube bender local.