Trooper Skid Plates

[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!

[Ldub]

OK, so here's the deal...I got a trans. case skidder off a 91 troop in the local salvg. yard. Initially it looked like it would bolt right up...wrong.
Found out later that the holes in the crossmember that lined up weren't threaded ...
So, with a bit of contour relief cutting on the existing "skid plate" (if you could call it that) & a little welding...I answered my question. Yes a 91 plate will fit, but not easily.
Also found that my welding skills have "left the building" since the last time I welded anything (about 8th or 9th grade), It's ugly, but at least I've got SOME protection from the scenery around Moab.

Ldub

[Maugan_VX]

Joe put me on the list of people that would purchase a set of skids from you if priced reasonably

[wekilled]

I would also be interested in fabbed plates. Just for grins is it possible to make them out of thick diamond or double diamond plate for that industrial look?

[Joe_Black]

My plasma cutter can handle material up to 1 1/2" thick, so whatever you're willing to pay for can be used once the patterns are done.