I thought I'd tell you guys about a deal over at Explorer Procomp.. They have a closeout on their t-100 stainless steel skid plate ($69.00). This is for a truck with a 4" suspension lift--so be warned. That's not to say you couldn't modify it to fit a stock truck.

http://www.explorerprocomp.com/garage_sale.html

I'll post a pic when I get mine on the truck.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

not a bad deal...ive thought about modifying one, but had too much trouble with modifying my steal one from Superlift, ill be using 1.5" DOM to weld to my frame cross member below radiator (will reinforce) to the suspension lower control arm cross member, this will all be integrated into my front prerunner bumper.

just talked to the procomp folks, and they said,
a) its decorative (probably adds more protection than the plastic one)
b) it would not be "cost effective" to cut, modify and rebend to fit

downey has a grille guard that is tempting though. handy place to mount lights.

thats what i was thinking, how much would a piece of stainless cost otherwise about that size???

I was looking at metals depot and found

P5316 3/16 (.1875) thick T304 Stainless Steel Plate - Mill Finish 1 X 2 Ft. 1 In Stock $147.52 $147.52

or

S411 11 GA. (1/8) thick T304 Stainless Steel Sheet - Dull Mill Finish 1 X 2 Ft. 1 In Stock $84.98 $84.98

I am thinking Aluminum diamond plate...

P414 .250 (1/4) thick 3003 Aluminum Diamond Plate - Highly Polished 1 X 2 Ft. 1 In Stock $44.40 $44.40

as long as you do something to prevent galvanic action, you would be golden.. 1/4" is pretty beefy compared to plastic

ill take 1/4" polished aluminum, im not into the diamond plate...i looked on the same website at their price, nobody at procomp could tell me how thick the skid plate was, mine will be reinforced with 1.5" DOM anyway so i guess it can be pretty thin...

Stainless is not needed, its just flashy imho. I rather get some 1/4 thick strong steel (cant recall the exact designation) and fab up my own plate. A little bit of propane torch and you can bend it easy if your carefull not to heat it to much.

You can also find a business that is shutting down and has portable diamond skid plates for moving stuff between trucks and docks. Can be cut to size and bent relatively easily, simple to weld stuff to and tougher than most anything out there. I have one for a shooting range backdrop. FMJ 30.06 will ding it so I prohibit FMJ rounds. .50 desert eagle will not touch it. I used part of one for my tractor bucket blade replacement as well. Look in a junkyard too. A high quality steel, does not rust to speak of and can be plated for those who need pretty..

I'll pay for flashy.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />