BudBuilt Skid Plate (1 Viewer)

Nottajeep · Mar 7, 2024

I contacted Bud and they are willing to look at a group buy for a TC skid plate.

A couple of questions:

Is anyone around Hudson, NC that could get over there for measurements?
How many size variations would be needed for this?
Are the frame widths the same for each 70 series truck?
Can we get by with one size for all?

Minimum order is 10 to start out.

lowtideride · Mar 7, 2024

Im in.
Not really anywhere near NC though.

Bblair · Mar 8, 2024

I'm in.
I live about 2 1/2 hours east of Hudson. I would be willing to drive my HZJ73 over for testing.

svsisu · Mar 8, 2024

Nottajeep said:
I contacted Bud and they are willing to look at a group buy for a TC skid plate.

A couple of questions:

Is anyone around Hudson, NC that could get over there for measurements?
How many size variations would be needed for this?
Are the frame widths the same for each 70 series truck?
Can we get by with one size for all?

Minimum order is 10 to start out.

I've been Interested in protection for the Tcase and transmission and have wanted to call/stop in there for awhile to see what they could do for a 70 series; I'd be in for one. I'm not near Hudson, but should be driving out that way in a 75 series troopy with H55 5spd in about 3 weeks. If we can co-ordinate the timing I'd be happy to stop by for measurements. That might be a good way to confirm what they get with @Bblair and his truck.

Some links below with various aftermarkets skid plates that have been around, and some photos with measurements. As far as fitment between different 70 series models, the frame widths should be the same, but the transmission cross member could be in different locations due to the different transmissions. And drain hole access would be in different locations for manual vs autos.

70 Series Skid Plate

I'm looking for photos of 70 Series OEM skid plates (both manual and automatic transmission). Any 70 Series would be suitable. ....Thanks

forum.ih8mud.com

Attn. 73/74 Series Owners

I need dimensions / photos of your factory skid plates, ether plastic or aluminum. I need to see if they differ between the automatic and manual transmissions. Thanks

forum.ih8mud.com

Frame Dimensions

Can any tell me if the 77 Series and Troppy frame (1990-1991) are the same width abeam the transmission and transfer case and would they share the same cross members in that area? Thanks

forum.ih8mud.com

Nottajeep · Mar 8, 2024

My cross member is protecting the front of the trans fairly well; so I'm mainly after adding armor for the TC since it's hanging below frame height.

I took a few measurement points in relation to the TC drain plug.
Not sure if that's the best approach but at least a starting point.
This may help with putting truck differences in perspective.
RHD BJ73 here.
Going left to right across the drain plug it's 39 3/4" (yellow line) from outside frame width (includes the sag of TC).
Center of cross member (under trans) to TC drain plug is 15 3/4" (red line).

Since 10 is a realistic ask for the lot size, we may be able to do a few variations especially for the LHD vs RHD variations.
TC location may be the sticking point to getting one envelope for all.
Would likely have to target 10 of each, which still seems reasonable for this group.

Nottajeep · Mar 8, 2024

svsisu said:
I've been Interested in protection for the Tcase and transmission and have wanted to call/stop in there for awhile to see what they could do for a 70 series; I'd be in for one. I'm not near Hudson, but should be driving out that way in a 75 series troopy with H55 5spd in about 3 weeks. If we can co-ordinate the timing I'd be happy to stop by for measurements. That might be a good way to confirm what they get with @Bblair and his truck.

Some links below with various aftermarkets skid plates that have been around, and some photos with measurements. As far as fitment between different 70 series models, the frame widths should be the same, but the transmission cross member could be in different locations due to the different transmissions. And drain hole access would be in different locations for manual vs autos.

70 Series Skid Plate

I'm looking for photos of 70 Series OEM skid plates (both manual and automatic transmission). Any 70 Series would be suitable. ....Thanks

forum.ih8mud.com

Attn. 73/74 Series Owners

I need dimensions / photos of your factory skid plates, ether plastic or aluminum. I need to see if they differ between the automatic and manual transmissions. Thanks

forum.ih8mud.com

Frame Dimensions

Can any tell me if the 77 Series and Troppy frame (1990-1991) are the same width abeam the transmission and transfer case and would they share the same cross members in that area? Thanks

forum.ih8mud.com

Cruisin Off-road would be great for me.
Simple and might work for both types of drivers.

svsisu · Mar 8, 2024

Nottajeep said:
My cross member is protecting the front of the trans fairly well; so I'm mainly after adding armor for the TC since it's hanging below frame height.

I took a few measurement points in relation to the TC drain plug.
Not sure if that's the best approach but at least a starting point.
This may help with putting truck differences in perspective.
RHD BJ73 here.
Going left to right across the drain plug it's 39 3/4" (yellow line) from outside frame width (includes the sag of TC).
Center of cross member (under trans) to TC drain plug is 15 3/4" (red line).

View attachment 3576856

Since 10 is a realistic ask for the lot size, we may be able to do a few variations especially for the LHD vs RHD variations.
TC location may be the sticking point to getting one envelope for all.
Would likely have to target 10 of each, which still seems reasonable for this group.

My quick "rough" measurements seemed very similar to yours. Agreed on the Cruisen Off-Road style.

FJBen · Mar 8, 2024

What years came with skid plates?

I have a skid plate on mine but it seems some only have the crossmember?

coldtaco · Mar 8, 2024

my Ute didn't come with a skid plate, don't know if it got lost over the years. It does have the captive nuts for the factory skid plate in the frame, I was able to use the skid plate from the BJ70 I used to have.

Guyute · Mar 8, 2024

Not near BudBuilt World Headquarters but, you can count me in for the group buy. I'd do trans, tcase and a radiator bash plate if available.

'93 HZJ77 Auto

svsisu · Mar 8, 2024

Guyute said:
Not near BudBuilt World Headquarters but, you can count me in for the group buy. I'd do trans, tcase and a radiator bash plate if available.

'93 HZJ77 Auto

If I end up going by I'll bring my PDI radiator bash plate for them to look at. It is deeper and will accommodate the larger radiator used in later Hzj and some HDJ70 series.

jblueridge · Mar 9, 2024

I’d be in for radiator protection.

Fishbulb · Mar 31, 2024

I’m in for a trans plate.

joekatana · Apr 1, 2024

So there are several different transmissions available in our 70 series and each one uses a different crossmember at a slightly different location . No difference between lhd or rhd nor the different wheelbase variants . Probably best to start with going after the H55 model ones as these are the most common

svsisu · Apr 1, 2024

joekatana said:
So there are several different transmissions available in our 70 series and each one uses a different crossmember at a slightly different location . No difference between lhd or rhd nor the different wheelbase variants . Probably best to start with going after the H55 model ones as these are the most common

I figured (perhaps incorrectly) with the different manual transmissions the cross member would be in a different location. Do you know if the automatic crossmember is located in different position than the H55? But yes, that's the plan take mine with the H55 for them to look at, and go from there.

joekatana · Apr 1, 2024

svsisu said:
I figured (perhaps incorrectly) with the different manual transmissions the cross member would be in a different location. Do you know if the automatic crossmember is located in different position than the H55? But yes, that's the plan take mine with the H55 for them to look at, and go from there.

Yes automatic uses a different crossmember I believe

svsisu · Apr 1, 2024

Very helpful Joe, thanks for your comments.

coldtaco · Apr 1, 2024

Can't you just give them your factory skid plate and have them build a stronger version?

svsisu · Apr 1, 2024

coldtaco said:
Can't you just give them your factory skid plate and have them build a stronger version?

I never had one, otherwise, that would definitely work.

joekatana · Apr 1, 2024

svsisu said:
I never had one, otherwise, that would definitely work.

I actually have some here