Adding skid plates by Jot017

[JoshC]

Well, i went to the grave yard today to pick up a couple of skid plates and a new shifter boot. I got all three for $30, not a bad deal. Below are the skid plates i picked up. Where do you think i should put them? As you can tell they are off of a gas tank, so i'll be cutting the side tin off and junking it. I thought about putting one to cover my exhaust right beside the gas tank, probably conecting to the skid plate on there already. Then maybe one coming up from under the the front cross memeber (kind of like Ray L. did on his)to protect the rack and pinion and having it come back to cover the tranny a little bit. Sound pretty good to you all? Let me know what you think, i'll probably get started on it when i come back home this weekend. I've not got anything to work with her at my apartment at school!! Thanks!

Happy trails!!

ps Sorry about the picture quaility, i had to resize it, so i don't know what the heck happened!!

 

[JoshC]

Well, i had the shop to my self today, so i decided to get started on my skid plates. I'd had worked with the earlier in the week getting them prepared for fitting, so today i actually got to craul up under my truck and get things the way i wanted them, then i used the torch to cut them the way i wanted. So, here is the first of the 2 that i have.

 

[Digger196]

what type of bolts did you use? i'm interested in doing what you did to protect the underbody. did you use the holes that were already on the fram or make new ones?

 

[JoshC]

the front plate has 2 holes that i had to drill in the front cross member just in front of the axle. the back 2 holes on the front plate i had some strips of steel that i used to bolt to the torsion bar mounts cause the plate wasn't long enough. The rear plate i used the leaf spring hanger bolt as one, drilled on the frame, used 2 more strips of steel to cross over the drive shaft to bolt to the gas tank skid plate. These work well for debritm but not for huge rocks and stuff like that. I wouldn't trust them with to much stuff. All i wanted them for was to protect me when going through water and mud when i couldn't see the bottom. Let me know if there is anything else i can do.

Happy trails!!

 

[Digger196]

alright sweet. might do this this Sunday is i get time to go to the junkyard. thanks man.

 

[JoshC]

Yep, anytime. Post some pictures here when you get done so we can see how it goes. It's not as easy as it looks. I used the torch on them a good bit to cut some corners while i was at work.

Happy trails!!

 

[Digger196]

Well that project is on hold till i figure out how to get some height to the X. add-a-leafs and shackles both failed. no height added! figuring out what i should do.

 

[Digger196]

ok back on schedual. on the list to do this weekend. found a place here that i can get sheet metal this is pretty strong. it's not used for rocks so no need for it to be very tough. it is there to keep mud out the exaust and for easy clean up. i'll post pics of the finish product. also i'm getting a shop here to make me a front skid plate. i don't have the tools for that kinda stuff.