Skid Plate Fabbrication

[snowtrooper1966]

Greetings!
I have access to a complete industrial fabrication shop with an experienced crew that are able to make whatever I need. I asked yesterday if they could help out with a bracket for my Direct TV dish install. I picked it up today, and was more than impressed with the massive result, as designed:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/full.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/detail.JPG

It got me thinking these guys would have no problem with some simple skid plates, say fabbed from dimond plate;)

Does anyone here have a pattern for front, tranny and gas skids?

I guess I should go buy 'em a couple 6 packs before I ask for another favor...
James

[rowhard]

hell, take a full rack and some skid plates as samples. Would love to have a new full set at a price I can't say no to.

[Kenny]

Full armor plans.:bwgr:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/skid_plates_2.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/skid_plates_1.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/skid_plates_layout.jpg

[pbkid]

kenny!!!! where the F*&E# do i get one of those??? ive been searching and searching for a shop that can make something like that?
and whats the price tag look like if you dont mind me asking?

[Kenny]

kenny!!!! where the F*&E# do i get one of those??? ive been searching and searching for a shop that can make something like that?
and whats the price tag look like if you dont mind me asking?

~$700-$800 at a good shop... my guess.

[don moore]

id like to see it installed ........with the way thing hang down under there?

[Ldub]

id like to see it installed ........with the way thing hang down under there?

I think Kenny had a thread w/ pics on the fab & install. :_wrench:
Also, you can catch a glimpse of it in action in some of last years Moab pics.
And check out his stainless mondo sliders...:thumbup:

The Dude fears no rock!

[Kenny]

id like to see it installed ........with the way thing hang down under there?
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/Belly_Armor.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/rock_rash.jpg

[don moore]

Did you have to add spacers to it ..next to the frame?

[So-CalVX]

I wish I could afford under armor and a trip out to the trails. And that would help alot when I (eventually) move back to WV and hit the trails daily.

Also... Would they be able to fab up a front and rear skid plate like the ones on the O2 and everybody longs for? That would be awesome.

[logman]

Where do I get one of those! Are those drawings all I would need to get one of those built?

[snowtrooper1966]

Kenny!
You 'da man!
Than's exactly what I needed. What thickness stock was used? I see the cutout for the oil drain, and I am thinking this one peice protects the gas tank as well, since it goes so far back?
Thanks a million!
James

[Ldub]

Kenny!
You 'da man!
Than's exactly what I needed. What thickness stock was used? I see the cutout for the oil drain, and I am thinking this one peice protects the gas tank as well, since it goes so far back?
Thanks a million!
James

Your gas tank already has a crush panel/skid plate.
What you see under the rear that looks like the gas tank, is actually a bash pan.
After some Moab trail mods, I've removed mine & massaged it with a two pounder...make nice.:thumbup:

[JHarris1385]

I think I could get this fabbed for me by my local guy for about $150 tops. He did my diff brackets for $15.

[nfpgasmask]

James, if you find your guys will do this for a decent price, let them know they might have a few "local" customers. I would be interested in something like what Kenny has, but painted black of course!

:) Bart

[JoFotoz]

COOL...go for it , and I'll take one too........I'll give ya $350.



I think I could get this fabbed for me by my local guy for about $150 tops. He did my diff brackets for $15.




jo

[logman]

I would be interested aswell. I could maybe pick it up too, since I only live one state away :D ill pay 350 no prob...

[snowtrooper1966]

Your gas tank already has a crush panel/skid plate.
What you see under the rear that looks like the gas tank, is actually a bash pan.
After some Moab trail mods, I've removed mine & massaged it with a two pounder...make nice.:thumbup:

Thanks, Ldub!
I guess it wouldn't kill me to slide under the Dragon b4 asking dumb questions!;)
James

[snowtrooper1966]

Not to worry, Bart!
You will be on the top of the list, even with your challenged view about films;)
I will keep you all posted with results and cost if I can get them to produce some....
James

[Ldub]

Thanks, Ldub!
I guess it wouldn't kill me to slide under the Dragon b4 asking dumb questions!;)
James

Naaaa, not that way at all...just tryin' to save you money & effort.:smilewink

[snowtrooper1966]

Good lookin out, thanks Ldub!:bwgr:
James

[Kenny]

Did you have to add spacers to it ..next to the frame?

No spacers, they bolt right to the cross members below and to the tow hook bolts in the front. There is enough flex in the plates to make it work well.


Where do I get one of those! Are those drawings all I would need to get one of those built?

The drawings are a start point. I would have the front brackets that tie into the tow hook threaded holes custom measured to get the angle right. Mine are a bit off... to lazy to make nice.


Kenny!
You 'da man!
Than's exactly what I needed. What thickness stock was used? I see the cutout for the oil drain, and I am thinking this one peice protects the gas tank as well, since it goes so far back?
Thanks a million!
James

I used 1/4" aluminum.
I was leery about putting a skid on the gas tank as I didn't want to BOLT it on and wind up a Pinto. I would WELD a gas tank skid on the one thats there if you want that protection - if you are there, I would also have it extend over the cladding to the underside of hatch door. This is where you gouge your cladding coming off a steep rock...

Right now I'm playing with the idea of UHMW skids as some sort of gas tank skid/sliders...:rolleyes: maybe bolt a plate of it under the rock sliders to "grease" the ride off a rock...;)


I think I could get this fabbed for me by my local guy for about $150 tops. He did my diff brackets for $15.


James, if you find your guys will do this for a decent price, let them know they might have a few "local" customers. I would be interested in something like what Kenny has, but painted black of course!
:) Bart

I hate touch up painting, so I paid through the nose to get good aluminum.

[snowtrooper1966]

Very nice, thanks for the direction!
I was considering diamond plate, but thinking about it, perhaps the "diamonds" would hang up and prevent needed sliding/deflection...
Ldub mentioned you had (side?) rock sliders as well? Any pix?
Thanks again!
James

[JHarris1385]

It might take me a couple weeks or more for gathering a quote but I as soon as I get one I will let you know. This guy is old and oldfashioned as well; not out for major profits. I will get a quote for 1/4 al. Im looking more towards black diamond plate.

[Kenny]

Very nice, thanks for the direction!
I was considering diamond plate, but thinking about it, perhaps the "diamonds" would hang up and prevent needed sliding/deflection...
Ldub mentioned you had (side?) rock sliders as well? Any pix?
Thanks again!
James

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?p=101122#post101122

[snowtrooper1966]

You, sir, are an artist!
Thanks,
James

[LittleBeast]

He did my diff brackets for $15.

Dang I would love to get that deal! I might need to now with the new lift and all.

[logman]

I did some emailing yesterday to see what I could find as far as prices go.. Here is one reply from a fabricator in Kalamazoo, MI.

I think I need to find someone doing this on a much smaller scale... larger companies see this as an inconvenience if anything.


We can certainly do this unit for you, however, I must warn you that a single item such as this is regarded as a "Prototype" and is cost prohibitive.
There may be something available on the market that you can purchase, and I can tell you that if there is, we cannot beat the price you can buy it for.

I encourage you to research this and see if you can find it. In the event you cannot, and "cost is no object", then please feel free to contact us for an actual quote, which we will be happy to do for you. As a baseline, our prototype costing starts at about $2,500, although with an item as simple as this, I think we could do it for about $1,500.
Here is a freebie: Despite the weight difference, I would go with 3/16" steel to fabricate this as aluminum is actually very delicate, and dents and scratches easily even in 1/4" thickness.

[VXIRONwoMAN]

Well... My Uncle is still working on my skid plates... for about $300-400. I hope I have them before MOAB! At this point, it's too late to find another source to make the skid plates. I am using diamond plated aluminum, i forget the thickness. I am using Kenny's creation, I really want hese done before moab... but I have seemed to lost contact with him... no cell, no office #, no email responses...it's looking a little grim. :( Unless Mr...Snowtrooper can have them done in a week... :rolleyes:

[snowtrooper1966]

Looks like initial price for fab/materials is going to be in the 300 - 400 range for me. I asked about aluminum vs diamond plate cost. Difference is small, so I will go with diamond plate. I will keep you updated once fabbing starts.
James

[Rene M]

man, i want a set...

[Tone]

I have plans for a complete front to rear skid plate that can be had in pdf or machine language that many shops can run on their automated machines. When I had mine done in aluminum a few years back, it cost me $300 and that was a good buddy price.

The shop here can make these anytime but you'd need to check what shipping would be for an almost flat piece of aluminum (or steel) as long as the VX. There might be a point where the plate could be cut where it passes over a crossmember where it would be easy to make it bolt back together. This design also has the letters VX lasercut out of the front angled area as well as openings for oil changes.

Attached is the first rev of the plate:

[JHarris1385]

NICE. send pdf to jharris@surepoint.com

[logman]

Could I get the pdf and machine file as well? joel.theo@gmail.com

[Solitude]

I'd be up for a set.. pm me if this turns into a buy

[Ldub]

It might take me a couple weeks or more for gathering a quote but I as soon as I get one I will let you know. This guy is old and oldfashioned as well; not out for major profits. I will get a quote for 1/4 al. Im looking more towards black diamond plate.

Soooooooo? Any new news ?

[JHarris1385]

Never got the designs and just completely forgot about this mod.

[Marlin]

Well, I managed to finish my 1/8" aluminum diamond deck plate for the front half today. Took about 6 hours, and I have zero metal working experience, with the exception of cutting the hole for my scoop. I didn't even hurt myself, except maybe my back. It came out great!!!!! It tucks in under the front cladding, and goes back to the first major cross member in front of the transfer case. Looks crooked from the front in the pic, but it isnt, I just can't take pics worth a damn. I also put my yellow carbon fiber Vx on the front plate today as well, enjoy the pics...


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMGP0036.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMGP0032.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMGP0031.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMGP0028.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMGP0034.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMGP0033.JPG

[Dumke]

WTB someone to hit enter after every picture so everyone doesnt have to scroll right on every comment.. Just some advice :grinb:



For example post picture hit enter a few times then rinse repeat if you are adding more than one picture :p

[tomdietrying]

Nice job!
Peace.
Tom

[Triathlete]

Might want to counter sink those bolts or they will get mushroomed or broken off after a few hits.

[Riff Raff]

MARLIN--- One word: "IMPRESSIVE!!!"

[rowhard]

now all you need is one of my good looking skid plates that won't protect S#@T to finish off the look:bgwg:

[Marlin]

now all you need is one of my good looking skid plates that won't protect S#@T to finish off the look:bgwg:

LOL, I thought about that, if you could figure out a way to put a steel backing on your fiberglass inserts, that would be perfect, although, that should be easy as an end user, just buy some sheet metal, and bend it to fit and bolt it straight onto the fiberglass. Plus, this is really just for the Moab trip and cosmetics. I usually only go in mud, so this is a very fancy splash guard. I just think that Ldubs looked sweet, and kind of copied it, well, not really kind of.

As far as counter sinking, I am actually getting some teflon in, then I will put teflon strips to "hide" the bolts heads. Thanks for the heads up though. I also carry several extra bolts for the most of the mounts under the cab, as well as about 100 heavy duty zipties which will do in a pinch on the trail. I ended up doing the project with only one new hole in the actual Vx, and that was through the top of the lower control arm cross member for the bolt. The front holes are in the factory front skid plate, so those don't count.;)

I am almost done with the Vx, not much left I can do, the snorkel project seems like the logical next step...but that would be a major undertaking, although cutting a hole to line up with the factory intake wouldn't be to bad...just a matter of making it look nice, and I do have my new air saw...hmmmmmm. We shall see.

[Marlin]

WTB someone to hit enter after every picture so everyone doesnt have to scroll right on every comment.. Just some advice :grinb:



For example post picture hit enter a few times then rinse repeat if you are adding more than one picture :p

Thanks to whoever fixed my post:) You only have to tell me wonce, I am a quick lurner...if I could only lurn to spell.

[Dumke]

Thanks to whoever fixed my post:) You only have to tell me wonce, I am a quick lurner...if I could only lurn to spell.

Well I need a speller checker so if someone helps me with that then we are both golden...


And sorry you are not the only one I just thought would say it in that post lol.. :)

[pbkid]

very nice!! you are gonna be ready to WHEEEEEEEEEEEL!!!

[Dumke]

Oh yeah btw forgot to say NICE job.

[Marlin]

Here is plate #2, and I think it will be the last plate, the transfer case is covered by the trooper plate, and there isn't a whole lot else in the rear except the differential. The gas tank already has a plate. So I believe I am done.


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMGP0039.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMGP0037.JPG

[Travelin2]

Well I need a speller checker so if someone helps me with that then we are both golden...


And sorry you are not the only one I just thought would say it in that post lol.. :)

Dumke; I use this for an image resizer in Vista. Its' only a little over 2 MB. They may have a spell checker too.


http://www.powerhourgame.com/windows_vista_image_resizer_powertoy_prish_image_r esizer.htm

[Triathlete]

Might want to overlap the front plate over the rear (looks like the rear is over the front) to prevent it from snagging on rocks. Looks good though.

[Riff Raff]

Might want to overlap the front plate over the rear (looks like the rear is over the front) to prevent it from snagging on rocks. Looks good though.

TRIATHLETE--- Hmmm, good point. However, I suspect MARLIN considered this, but probably ran into some kind of engineering dilema that prevented him from overlapping the front over the back as you mentioned. In the event the plate does get "snagged" on a rock, them just Hammer Down!!! I do agree, that MARLIN has done a very impressive job; especially for not having any formal metal fab training and for also doing all of his mod's in his frickin' driveway. Simply incredible!!!

[Marlin]

Might want to overlap the front plate over the rear (looks like the rear is over the front) to prevent it from snagging on rocks. Looks good though.

Actually, the rear is over the front with a two inch overlap, but only in the center 10". It doesn't look like it in the pic though...
Thanks for the bid of confidence Riffraff. It did come out nice. Now I have half a sheet of diamond deck, gotta think of something to do with it. Maybe a base for the luggage rack?

[snowtrooper1966]

Nice job, Marlin!
I no longer have access to the fab shop I spoke of when I started this thread, so it looks like I will have to go the same route you did, or pay some $'s for the "Kenny" plate(s)...
Best,

[tomdietrying]

Nice job Marlin! My only concern would be heat entrapment. I'm not sure if you will be driving to Moab with the plates on, but I could see how heat might stay trapped up. Just a thought.
Peace.
Tom

[pbkid]

Nice job Marlin! My only concern would be heat entrapment. I'm not sure if you will be driving to Moab with the plates on, but I could see how heat might stay trapped up. Just a thought.
Peace.
Tom

also mud and dirt...will severely increase your weight...maybe consider some holes??

[pbkid]

Nice job, Marlin!
I no longer have access to the fab shop I spoke of when I started this thread, so it looks like I will have to go the same route you did, or pay some $'s for the "Kenny" plate(s)...
Best,

RiffRaff arent you still planning on having some plates made in Ca??

[Riff Raff]

RiffRaff arent you still planning on having some plates made in Ca??

YES!!! In fact; two seperate locations, one in CA and one in PA. The R&D for the commerically produced metal skid-plate project is currently on-going at the L.A., CA metal fabrication company and I should have some viable information in about a week. The R&D at the PA location is still being coordinated as my original Template/Donor vehicle bailed-out on me, and I had to pick an alternate VX owner. I will keep the forum updated as details arise.

[Marlin]

Nice job Marlin! My only concern would be heat entrapment. I'm not sure if you will be driving to Moab with the plates on, but I could see how heat might stay trapped up. Just a thought.
Peace.
Tom

I was worried about that, but my baby isn't roughin it to Moab, I am puttin it on the trailer and towing behind my expedition, I get better gas mileage that way, the expy gets around 13mpg towing a full trailer, the Vx, somewhere around 11 right now, can't imagine being loaded up...

[pbkid]

the Vx, somewhere around 11 right now .

wow...something isnt right there..

you have a roof rack right?? you should be getting around 15 highway..thats what i get with my roof rack up there...

[Marlin]

wow...something isnt right there..

you have a roof rack right?? you should be getting around 15 highway..thats what i get with my roof rack up there...

True, true, true...I did not mention, per scangauge, the average speed for almost all of my tanks is 29mph...that would be why.

[pbkid]

True, true, true...I did not mention, per scangauge, the average speed for almost all of my tanks is 29mph...that would be why.

hmm. i dunno. just sayin that it seemed low.