Some skid plates i made

[JoshC]

Since i couldn't get any kind of a response in the "Projects" section, i thought i would let everyone else look at them and see what you all thought! Here is the first plate i put on yesterday. Before and After. Let me know what you think.

 

[Harry5150]

Have you noticed any significant heating of the floor?

Could possibly help gas milage w/ improved underbody airflow. Then again, our trucks aren't exactly F1 cars.

Harry

 

[JoshC]

No i haven't really noticed any heating so far, i haven't been in the back seat either, but nothing unnormal. Here is a picture i made today of the front skid plate. It isn't beautiful by any means. Not sure why it turned out crooked in the picture, it's not on the truck. I know these are the best things in the world. I don't plan on sliding down a rock cliff, so i didn't make them that strong. Really just have them in case i do hit some rocks under the mud hole, that way i won't have to worry about punching a hole in my exhaust or my tranny. Hope you like them, thanks!

 

[CADDYBILL]

Good job, looks real clean.

 

[diablo5969]

Looks pretty good. Just out of curiosity, how hard is it to make skidplates? Is it hard to do, or is it just bolting metal to the underbody? If it's pretty easy, I think I might go ahead and give it a shot for my Ex

 

[JoshC]

Thanks fellas!! Well, the rear was a pain in the butt. I had a lot of cutting with a torch and a lot of fabbing. The front was a piece of cake really, i did very little cutting and bending and most of my time was drilling and bolting today. I used gas tank skid plates off of totaled explorers, so it worked out pretty good cause they are long and not very wide. I think they are about 45" long and almost 16"wide, so you can give it a shot if you want to. I paid $30 for two skid plates and a shifter boot at the junk yard.

 

[soupbone]

nice plates.......

 

[diablo5969]

Seeing as how I am rather torchless, I don't think this would be a good project for me to try. Just out of curiosity, could anyone tell me where exactly the factory skidplates are and what they protect?

 

[zensius]

On a '92 (there's less on later models I believe) there's a long one on the gas tank and a small one that protects the transfer case.

 

[becker69]

Nice job! I think they look fine and besides at least you have some armor now! Thanks for the ideas about using Explorer gas tank skid plates; it reminded me that I need to find one at a junkyard for my tank!

 

[JoshC]

Glad you all like them!

Becker69--when i bought these plates, the guy that had taken them off said he hates to do them cause it takes over an hour to get them off, so i can imagine it not being much fun to try to get it on, caues you have to drop the tank for the easiest access. Unless you just bought one and kinda did your own fab job.

diablo5969--I just used torches because i didn't have my saws-all with me. I would have rather used that becuase it would have made cleaner cuts, but i used what i had. Just improvise, i'm sure you could come up with something! Need any help let me know!

zensius--those are the same plates my 97 has, must be a standard thing, i don't know!

Thanks again fellas, if anyone needs some help, drop me a line, be more the glad to if i could.


Happy trails!!

 

[zensius]

It was my understanding that as the years wore on the skid plates became options on Explorers, not standard items. Cost cutting move by Ford.

 

[Alec]

I bought my tank and tcase plates from Ford Parts Network for about $150.

 

[becker69]

Zensius, I have the same understanding. Kind of unfortunate, because they weren't even an option when I got my Sport Trac.
Alec; I wish they would offer the gas tank one by itself.... I do have the t-case one.

 

[jme94xlt]

nice plates

alec, i've been wondering for some time, what supercharger did you install in your explorer? i'm considering getting a '98 5.0L sport (see my post in 'modified explorers'), and was considering supercharging it in a few years when i get out of college. need suggestions on which are the best for the cost, etc. vortec's site only had one for the '91-94 when i checked. thanks.

jordan

 

[diablo5969]

Originally posted by zensius
On a '92 (there's less on later models I believe) there's a long one on the gas tank and a small one that protects the transfer case.

I have a '94, so I'm guessing they're pretty similar. Thanks for the info. I'm thinking those will be able to last me for a little while longer

 

[JoshC]

Well, i'm glad you all like them. I'm anxious to try them out a little bit, but not to anxious if you know what i mean!!

zensius--i guess they were just opitions, i wasn't sure. Maybe it comes with the tow package?? Oh well.

I think i might weld another piece on the very front, you can see it on the second set of pictures, below the rack and pinion, to go up and actually cover that the rack a little bit, just to shield the lines a little bit. I have a bad habbit, well not to bad, to go through mud holes a little to slow which in turn causes me to get hung up. Hopefully this will let me relax just a little bit knowing i have a lessened chance of busting a line. Thanks!

Happy trails!!