88pathoffroad Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 Full front bellypan made from 3/8" thick aluminum plate with an access hole for the oilpan drainplug. It'll cover the front diff, oilpan, exhaust, tranny pan and transfer case fully. The stock skidplate will go on TOP of the new one, and the stock transfer case skidplate will be removed completely. Yeeee-ha. Pics coming soon... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 skid plate out of aluminium..... thats an oxymoron isnt it? *goes and gets flame suit* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted June 4, 2004 Author Share Posted June 4, 2004 Compared to the equivalent made of steel...steel=110-150 lbs. Alu=50 lbs. What do you think would be a problem with using alu as opposed to steel? It doesn't "slide" as well as steel? I call BS on that idea, after having used it on more than one thing for skid/sliding purposes. Let me see here...3/8" is the equivalent of 9.525 mm. Sound good to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Pickles Posted June 4, 2004 Share Posted June 4, 2004 Geeze, another 50 lbs? No wonder you're losing all the drag races. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted June 4, 2004 Author Share Posted June 4, 2004 Yeah, but I won't get hung up on rocks and stuck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87pathy Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 Actually i think its a good idea to use aluminium. However do not bolt this directly to steel, use an isolator such as silicone or rubber to seperate contact. The reason for this is Disimilar metal corrosion. You would be really suprised on how fast it will start to corode metal and aluminium don't get along. Or you can chemicaly anodize the skid plate. in the 80's toyota used aluminum rivets in the bed. they were recalled because the rivets pulled through the rusted out steel bed. In oregon you may not have much problem but if your in a corrosive environment. take more care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squam1 Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 I'd like to see a pic myself... I have a source for ordering aluminum plate and have thought about doing this myself. I haven't heard any pricing on that plate from runnerman - If I knew how much that one was, I could decide whether I'd make my own or buy his... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw Posted June 6, 2004 Share Posted June 6, 2004 all i was reffering to was the strength aspect, you dont ever hear of rock sliders mad eout of aluminium do you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Pickles Posted June 6, 2004 Share Posted June 6, 2004 all i was reffering to was the strength aspect, you dont ever hear of rock sliders mad eout of aluminium do you? I don't imagine steel sheeting would make much difference over aluminum in this case, where he's using thicker aluminum. And in any case, hopefully he'll be driving around or putting a tire over any obvious rocks that may come in contact with the skid plate area. The skid plate is a very nice "just in case." Sliders are made for more immediate contact, aren't they? I bet someone could fab up aluminum sliders if they wanted too, although they better have deep pockets. sly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted June 6, 2004 Author Share Posted June 6, 2004 You'd have to heat treat alu sliders after welding them. Welding alu renders it dead soft again. Steel doesn't do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted June 11, 2004 Author Share Posted June 11, 2004 OK, finished! Thanks for the comments on dissimilar metals, 87Pathy, I used rubber spacers to keep the alu separate from the steel mounting points. I darn near forgot about that. Flat 3/8" thick aluminum plate, 40 lbs verified weight. 2.5" hole cut for oilpan drainplug access, removed stock transfer case skidplate, retained the stock front skidplate with a few modifications to make it fit. Given the choice, I'd have made it about 6-8" longer to cover up the back end of the t-case, but I got this piece for free, so I'm not complaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red-finder Posted June 11, 2004 Share Posted June 11, 2004 That's nice! But why not paint it white too for add effect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n0cturne74 Posted June 11, 2004 Share Posted June 11, 2004 Nice job man!! :cool2: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Pickles Posted June 11, 2004 Share Posted June 11, 2004 Looking good. Couldn't that lip where the 2 panels be a place where you'd catch or hang up on something? Just a thought. White paint?! Nah! Polish it up, then you could throw some mirrors under there when you're parked like the ricers and lowriders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squam1 Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 That's pretty sweet! nice job! I'm jealous, have to get out there and make my own sometime soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nige Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 oooooooooo i'm getting all hot-n-bothered just looking at it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted June 12, 2004 Author Share Posted June 12, 2004 Looking good. Couldn't that lip where the 2 panels be a place where you'd catch or hang up on something? Just a thought. With all the other edges, lips and angularities under there, I'm pretty sure everything'll work itself out. I beveled the leading edge of the plate, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramithepimp77 Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 I like it! Rami Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Boy Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 That was gonna be my comment, the trailing edge looks prone, but a bit of trial and error will probably prove me wrong!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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