Skid Plate Fabbrication

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

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.

Full armor plans.:bwgr:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...d_plates_2.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...d_plates_1.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...tes_layout.jpg

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?

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Originally Posted by 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?

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

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

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Originally Posted by don moore

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

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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!

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Originally Posted by don moore

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

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http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...elly_Armor.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../rock_rash.jpg

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

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.

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

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

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Originally Posted by 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

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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:

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

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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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jo

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...

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Originally Posted by Ldub

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:

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

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

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Originally Posted by snowtrooper1966

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

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

Good lookin out, thanks Ldub!:bwgr:
James

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Originally Posted by don moore

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

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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.

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Originally Posted by logman

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

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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.

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Originally Posted by 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

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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...;)

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Originally Posted by 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.

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Originally Posted by 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

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

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

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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

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http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...122#post101122

You, sir, are an artist!
Thanks,
James

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Originally Posted by JHarris1385

He did my diff brackets for $15.

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

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.

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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.

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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:

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

man, i want a set...

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:

NICE. send pdf to jharris@surepoint.com

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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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.

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Soooooooo? Any new news ?

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

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

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

Nice job!
Peace.
Tom