:smoke: I Have seen these good looking skid plates on the front of the 99' ford rangers with the 4x4 off road package. it looks as if the hook to the sam place where my plastic cover for radiator hook. DO ANY OF YOU HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT THIS. because it sure would look good on my explorer.
thanks
craig

The skip plate is off a 2000 ranger. I would think you could put one on your explorer. You will have to drill some holes on the crossmember atleast I did when I put onn on my 98 Ranger.
Also the skid plate is made out of stainless steel. Its not very strong. I have alread dinged, bent mine up.

I have always wanted the stock skid plate. I have found out about this stuff call "UHMW". They are used on manufacture companies and they last forever. I bought a sheet measured 3'x3' and cut it to shape and mounted onto the frame. I got the 1/2" thick and it look and function great! They are very easy to cut and drill into shape. Mine costed $35 and it is the best $35 I ever spend. I have took it to snow and mud and am not collecting dirt onto cross member.

Ultra High Molecular Weight Poly Ethylene (uhmw-pe) is what we are talking about right? its basically a plastic as strong as steel

where can i get some of this stuff?

where can i get some of this stuff?

Ditto

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118843

i jsut wanted to add that as well, its the same type of stuff they use as cutting boards... we have 3 of those liek that in different sizes in the kitchen... also it comes in differnt colors and it is dyeable also

The cheapest I found is at mc master (http://www.mcmaster.com/) However I'm not sure on what thickness you would need. A 48"x96" sheet in 1/2" is $137.63. :eek: Yet same size in 1/4" is only $65.79 :rolleyes: I'm going to look more into this.


if your looking for it at Mc Master go to page 3303

I got mine from this place "Gordon Industrial supply Co" 559-264-5931 in Fresno, CA. You might want to give them a call and asked where they get their supply. I would call your local industrial supply companies. I got 1/2" thick and all you need is 3'x3' for under the engine. You'll have to remove the front bumper to get to the frame. You'll also need to use some kind of block as spacer onto the frame (I think mine is 1"). As for the cross memeber, You'll have to use your imagination. I used self tapping screws into the crossmember.

www.millersfabrication.com (http://www.millersfabrication.com) has a nice front skidplate for 98-00 Rangers. Don't know if it would fit an Exploder or not. A lot heavier than the factory unit.

I don't mine the weight, but $200! Pretty expensive stuff. I guessed if you alot of offroad it would be the best $200 you'll ever spend. It looks pretty nice too.