100 skids in Aluminum from SLEE

[Layonnn]

Maybe cost is the reason. But I wasn't sure why AL needed any coating to begin with. I defer to someone with more metal experience.

Aluminum oxidizes (rusts) just like steel does, just differently. Bare aluminum will also discolor quickly and look nasty. Anodizing prevents this and adds a clear-ish colored coating. Powder coating is a lot different. I am guessing since they already get other parts, like the steel skids, powder coated, getting these skids powder coated is pretty easy for them.

 

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

did not expect him to ever offer aluminum after some of the conversations on FJC forum (blue) when Rasta skids were being touted by some as a good alternative especially if you dont do heavy wheeling...even though Athena wheeled her FJC in MOAB, RUBICON, Ouray, etc....and beat the hell out of it. LOL

The weight savings is a significant reason especially if you only encounter serious rocks a couple times a year....

Glad more options are coming available....

When did Bill and Athena do the Rubicon?

 

[Romer]

Romer.... you know me, I'm always happy to take your used parts off your hands! I'll run those steel ones with pride, I have no shame. These new ones sure are nice though!

Stan, nice try but Ill keep what I have

 

[Brock]

When did Bill and Athena do the Rubicon?

Yeah, after thinking about it...I believe you are right and they may not have made it to Rubicon...I think MAXXFJ did but he decided afterwards to replace his Rasta with steel. They did their job but were pretty banged up afterwards.... If hardcore all the time like that I wouldn't get them either...but they do the job and are much lighter.

I do remember seeing shots of them slamming down center skid on a big boulder...the skids flexing and then going back to near normal afterwards....protected them very well though the aluminum does take a beating itself on the hard stuff.

Thanks for keeping me honest...hahahahaha

 

[sleeoffroad]

What is the thickness of the aluminum?

The aluminum is 5052 and 3/16" thick. We chose powder coat due to cost vs anodizing. With the powder coat there should be no reaction between bolting the skidplates to the other skids or the frame.

We decided to make these after we discovered the issues with fitting the Asfir plates to gas powered trucks. We wanted to do the Asfir for the light duty crowd and still do. However they would need to change their design to make a bolt on version that fist US trucks. This might not happen quickly and we already had the steel design, so it was not much of a change to go aluminum.

It would be nice to make the belly plate out of aluminum but since we replace the cross member it is not really viable to do so.

 

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

I think it is a solid choice to go Aluminum for this application for many folks that are not going to wheel terrain like the Rubicon or heavy duty Moab type stuff.

For me I am looking to do more over landing and less rock crawling, so protection is key but weight savings is also super important.

 

[Brock]

same here...needing it once or twice a year for just a couple obstacles.....I would think it is a fine choice. comparative price is only other concern....so there is a tradeoff...weight savings, protection, cost

 

[Chris Sandstorm FJ]

same here...needing it once or twice a year for just a couple obstacles.....I would think it is a fine choice. comparative price is only other concern....so there is a tradeoff...weight savings, protection, cost

Yep, it is like bike components....Remember Shimano DX was always stronger and heaver then XTR but XTR was the holy grail for weight and it was spendier...

 

[Brock]

yep...I ran Shimano DX...hahaa I was cheap..figured I would skip hamburger to save weight...but I used a Titanium Anti SUck Chain thing that my girl Missy used....she made piranhas sexy. LOL

 

[no-pistons]

Eh, SRAM is where its at