Hey all, I've just bought a monthly share in a community shop owned by a friend. Among other things, I've now got access to a MIG welder, cutting torch, and air grinder--time to make some new skid plates! I've got a few questions for you guys that have already done this. I want to replace the skid that is directly under the engine, the gas tank skid, and possibly the T-case skid, as well as maybe fabbing up the "phantom" skid that some Gen1 SWB's have but others dont that goes from the T-bar crossmember to the engine crossmember. I want them to be able to support the vehicles weight, so here's my question-what's the best material and thickness to use? Is diamond plate better than sheet steel? Will 3/16" be thick enough to support the vehicle's weight? For the bend in the front skid, is it better to bend a single piece or weld 2 together? Thanks to all for any advice!

My gas tank skid is 1/4" steel, and the other skids (torsion bar adjuster crossmember all the way to the front) are 5/16" steel. I can't lift the big one, but you can drop the rig from just about anything and they don't budge. Overkill ???? maybe but I have the torque to push them.
I made cardboard patterns, and cut them out with my plazma cutter. The mounts are 1/2' thick and threaded for 10 x 1.5mm hardware.
I still run the stock skid under the motor, but I'm working on that one now.

Prices...(2years ago)
A sheet (30" x 6ft) of 3/8" aluminum 6061-t6 for the skids was $247.00
5/16" steel in a sheet of 3' x 4' was $29.00 this was enough to bulid the two main skids and my winch mount with some left over for???
The protection that they provide.......priceless.
Kary

Thanks for the reply Kary! Would 1/4" be a good compromise between weight and strength? Will your gas tank skid support the rear end? I don't have as much power to mess around with as you do, unfortunately... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I used 1/4" for my gas tank skid, and it holds the weight of the vehicle just fine. I'm sure that's mostly due to Don's design! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> On my fronts, I "laminated" pieces of 1/4" plate to the insides of the stock skids. (I have both skids) I heated and bent the pieces and welded them in. I flooded everything with a wet coat of thinned out metal primer to prevent rust. By using the factory creases and bends in the factory skids, I retain that strength, plus add impact protection. I can lift the truck from anywhere on any skid. I now have to fab a skid for the T-case when I get the A/T in.

For those of you w/ the custom skid plates, did you also re-inforce your mounts? On my Xcase skid plate, I did notice fatigue in the stock mount points so I'll be remaking them.

Ahhh, Ray.........? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Kary

Use 1/4"

I used 3/16 in a few places over the years on various parts of "version ones" of my welding projects, and it's proving to be not strong enough.

You might want to consider extending some of the plates so that they can transfer weight to the full width of the cross-members, not just onto the edges. I've pulled a few factory bolt holes using them to take all the weight that the skids can transfer.

Make cardboard templates to test fit, and take a good look at where the stresses will go when the plate's loaded. Make sure to increase the stress-transfer overlap regions.

Thanks for the advice all, 1/4" is sounding like the way to go.

Do any of you guys sell a transfer case skid plate that is better then stock. Mine still fits but bends fairly easily.

My skids are different then anybody else's, as ALL my drivetrain is above the main framerails.
Mine are large and heavy, but will not bend.
Kary