Trooper Skid Plates

[WyldWeasel]

Thanks for asking this question Ldub, I need to get skid plates for my VX before moab, too.

[Joe_Black]

Is there any interest in custom aluminum skid plates? My new toy came in Tuesday and I'm itching to fab stuff! Spoolguns rock!

[Hotsauce]

I'm interested. A plate that protected the oil pan, but has a cutout for oil filter access, and oil drain would be great.

John C.

[luz]

I second Hotsauce on this. But I'd need them delivered before I headed off to Moab. Or brought to Moab if you're going.

[Joe_Black]

I'm changing the oil on both VX's this weekend so will have an extended "inspiration session" while underneath. Fortunately, skid plates are easy and patterns can be quickly made up from cardboard. Plus they lend themselves to simple jig construction for repeat builds and can be either steel or aluminum. My new welder can run dual bottles, so switching between steel and aluminum is as simple as setting one gun down and picking up the other. I could do stainless too, but aren't planning on setting up for that just yet. Cutting the plates is super easy as I've already got a Miller 3080 plasma cutter.

I'll post some pics of the patterns this week when I can put one on a lift for a better perspective.

Wish we were going to Moab, but still haven't gotten a trailer for my semi yet. When I do then maybe I'll offer hauls from the Southeast!

[mbeach]

Your setup rocks Joe -I long for the day that I have a nice MIG/TIG setup (esp. the Miller) in my shop.
I'd be one of those guys that makes up excuses to fab stuff.

I cast my vote for a rear differential guard.

[Joe_Black]

Thanks! The plasma cutter was a big purchase for us a few years ago and the MIG was the next goal. Had hoped to get it last year but just didn't work out. Actually went to get the 210, but the Miller guys put that 30A spoolgun in my hands and it was all over after that. LOL!

TIG is something I haven't tried yet, but a buddy is going to give me a quick lesson next weekend. The nice thing about TIG is that I can just add a piggy-back unit to my big Lincoln stick unit, so it's not terribly expensive.

I'll throw a diff-guard pattern together too and see how it works. Great suggestion!