front skid plate

[01STrunner]

Would the front skid plate from a 97 mounty fit an 01 ST? If not how much would it take to make it fit?

 

[05dakotatrac]

http://www.mysporttrac.com/mysporttrac/projects/SkidPan/FrontSkidPanInstallation.htm

this is a trac install

 

[OffTrac]

That is a good project and possibility. John had that on the RockTrac for a while but quickly realized it was too weak for its purpose. He eventually determined it to be cosmetic only. You can read about it in the registry and somewhere near the beginning of the "Lifted ST options" thread.

I'm hoping to get sliders and a skid plate built before August. If done fast enough and well, I might be convinced to bring you one as well. I'm more concerned with the skid plate because I won't mind destroying the step bars if I don't get to it in time. I do not want busted tranny lines or radiator, though. I put the stock one back on a couple days ago just for something to do to the truck but I really need to get a real one on there.

 

[01STrunner]

I remember him talking about that plate but I didn't realize it was one of the ex/Monty plates. Hmm something to think about. For the right price it's better protection than that stupid plastic thing.

 

[rokr1292]

dang, i dont even have the plastic thing...

 

[OffTrac]

I remember him talking about that plate but I didn't realize it was one of the ex/Monty plates. Hmm something to think about. For the right price it's better protection than that stupid plastic thing.

I was referencing the link by dakotatrac to the MyST project using a Ranger skid plate. I'm not aware of any Ex/Mounty skid plates.

Shouldn't be hard to make one but I just have to get the materials and the time. I have lots of angle iron and 6"x16' plate steel but no sheets in the right size for a skid plate. I could probably make do with what I do have but I didn't want to do that many welds. I may design something with tubes but only have square tube right now but not the right die for the tube bender to do square tube. Close, but no cigar in every aspect.

 

[01STrunner]

Theres a guy on here parting out his 97 and it said he has both skid plate. I was assuming he meant gas tank and front skids. Maybe I'm wrong but he hasn't responded yet.

The tubular skid plate seems to be working for rebel quite well. In reality its probably stronger than a flat plate since it has more than just 2 sides (or 4 corners) of support.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Here's mine. Custom made and not done yet but it defintely works so far, took a couple hits last Sunday and did it's job. I need to finish it soon. I wanna get a trail ride/ get together by the end of summer.

 

[OffTrac]

Come to S. Carolina in August!

I was going to ask you how you mounted that crossmember at the top of the skid plate. Also, how do you have the tubes attached at the front crossmember. Hard to tell from the picture but they almost look either welded on or attached to a plate and I'm guessing bolted to the crossmember?

I'm also in the brain scratching part of designing a front steel bumper. Pretty much thinking about straight up copying 1-mean-x's. The only problem is, to really do the mock-up, I have to cut everything off and just do it. I'm still waiting for my balls to drop.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I wish I could go to that meet up and offroad park. I'm trying to get sporty97 and some other members together and do some wheelin' down by Caspirus Trail. When are you and the miss's coming up for a family visit next?

I cut the bumper bracket ears off the frame, capped the ends off (welded) then wleded on a 4x5 3/16" thick angle iron to the frame ends. I cut down some of the Bailer Wire Hats to size and welded them to the crossmembers. I'm addding two more so there are five along the middle and two more on the uprights of the lower crossmember to the sides of the bumper.

Welding and cutting the tubes to line up with the lower crossmember was a PITA, there isn't any flat/ matching surface to mount to.

 

[OffTrac]

Thanks.

We won't be up that way for a while. We can't hardly get a day off together, let alone enough time to get up there. We'll both have two weeks vacation for next year, though. Moving up!

I cut down some of the Bailer Wire Hats to size and welded them to the crossmembers.

All of your engine bay work now has to be done from above? That lower crossmember does look to be one of the difficult parts to figuring out the skid plate build. I'm also having trouble deciding how to mount the top part. I want to leave the space between the frame available in case that's where I decide to mount a hitch. Things would be a lot easier if I just a ton of money and could do every project all at once.

The planning part is fun, but I'm ready to start getting to work on this. I may start getting some things in motion this weekend if the stars align (talking more about a bumper). I think I have everything needed besides hardware to the bumper. Need to source some cheap tube for the skid plate, though.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Here's the link to my bumper/ skid plate build thread.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355536&page=4

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I can still access everything on the motor from below.

For the top crossmember get yourself a Class IV hitch or higher and cut to width, weld or bolt in place and then weld the tubes to the hitch. I may be redoing my crossmember and adding a hitch to it. I was gonna do the whole hitch crossmember idea but got sidetracked with lack of time and started building this one.

I have a heavy duty hitch from an older F-350 sitting in my backyard that I didn't feel like trying to cut up at the time because it is some "THICK" steel and extremely heavy.

I'll probably redisign the bumper next spring because I don't want the winch on the bumper where it sits now, I wanna lower the winch mounting point closer to the frame.

 

[05dakotatrac]

another option if you want the more plate steel style is get some flat stock steel to weld into the back of the ranger plate.

 

[OffTrac]

another option if you want the more plate steel style is get some flat stock steel to weld into the back of the ranger plate.

That's a thought! Or overlaying it on a tube frame. Either way, you're still doing some cutting and welding, though. May as well fabricate the whole thing, imo. I'm cheap, though.

 

[05dakotatrac]

honestly a JY skid some 3/16 to 3/8 thick flat stock some 4" wide then create a 2 line down and 2 across more if you wish. all of that i cant imagine costing any more than a ford bought ranger skid

plus i like a more factory look. it attracts less attention

 

[01STrunner]

another option if you want the more plate steel style is get some flat stock steel to weld into the back of the ranger plate.

Didn't think of that. Good idea. Might look into that.