Who's wants an off road skid plate?

[Hobies]

So I am gonna have a 3/8" skid plate made that bolts into the 4 stock bolts and then runs accross and branch out to protect the tranny and back to protect the tcase. It will of course have bolt in mounting for tcase mount and drain holes cut out for Tranny and tcase.

Does anyone else want one? The more I make cheaper it is. Just wanted to throw it out there for you guys.

You don't have I commit, I am just gauging interest. I am sure it will cost a few hundred bucks.

It will sort of look like a bud built crossmember that he makes for pickups.

Btw these will be made in Fresno so u could save on shipping headaches if u r close

 

[NLXTACY]

I really liked Creeper's but he stopped. I like IPORs but it's spendy especially plus shipping. I'm all ears.

 

[Hobies]

Looks something like this

 

[NLXTACY]

Ok so:
* interference with sliders
* access to drain and fill plugs for TC and Trans
* protection for bolts
?

 

[Hobies]

I really liked Creeper's but he stopped. I like IPORs but it's spendy especially plus shipping. I'm all ears.

I talked to my laser guy, it sounds like we could get them made for 300 even. I haven't given him the design yet. What I don't like about the ipor, is that it creates a pocket in the to get hung up on a rock. I want my skid plate to drop down at sides then run across and flat for obvious reasons.

 

[dra2120]

i'd be interested

 

[Hobies]

Ok so:
* interference with sliders
* access to drain and fill plugs for TC and Trans
* protection for bolts
?

This a bolt in application to make it easy for everyone. If the bolts are exposed in stock form they will be exposed In this plate. If u wanna put your bolts up inside the frame then you can take my crossmember and custom make a mount for it like all the pickups do. I am wheeling my hard 80 but not that hard that I care about doing that.

And yes it will have holes for fill plugs

 

[NLXTACY]

Make a domed washer for the bolts. I've been thinking about making these and patenting the fxxxers

 

[LFD2037]

I really liked Creeper's but he stopped. I like IPORs but it's spendy especially plus shipping. I'm all ears.

x2.
$300 is still kinda spendy.

 

[Hobies]

Make a domed washer for the bolts. I've been thinking about making these and patenting the ****ers

Good idea

 

[Hobies]

x2.
$300 is still kinda spendy.

Ya you would thinks custom fabbed parts would be cheaper huh?

 

[artech]

Make a domed washer for the bolts. I've been thinking about making these and patenting the ****ers

http://www.chiefproducts.com.au/products/bolt-head-protectors

Maybe you could still get the US patent anyways...

edit- or maybe not: http://fourtreks.com/rock_slidder_washer.html

 

[NLXTACY]

Dammit...need to find some locally then

 

[Booger weldz]

Countersunk cap screws with tapered heads?

There's plenty of things lower on an 80 when compared to those bolts though. Is the issue the condition the heads develop after a few good trips in the rocks(can't get a socket on them)?

There's a 1.25" avail to lift the tranny before it's hitting the undercarriage. I raised mine 3/4"

 

[NLXTACY]

The bolt heads holding the OEM transfer plate were all smashed. Bitch to get them off. Well two of the three were mangled anyway.

 

[jcardona1]

I like the idea of it, but I think it needs to come down in price for folks to jump on board. How about a DIY kit that we weld up ourselves? Is that an option?

 

[Hobies]

Countersunk cap screws with tapered heads?

There's plenty of things lower on an 80 when compared to those bolts though. Is the issue the condition the heads develop after a few good trips in the rocks(can't get a socket on them)?

There's a 1.25" avail to lift the tranny before it's hitting the undercarriage. I raised mine 3/4"

Good to know! Counter sink don't work because all frames aren't consistent. The holes half to be slotted. Even toyota bumpers and crossmembers have slots for the same reason.

I think the domed washer is the way to go. I am looking at getting some made.

 

[NLXTACY]

Not if you make the bolts captive.

 

[Hobies]

I like the idea of it, but I think it needs to come down in price for folks to jump on board. How about a DIY kit that we weld up ourselves? Is that an option?

There's is nothing to weld up. This is isn't some booty fab kit crossmember. It's a plate that is laser cut and bent. It's pimp.

Let me explain custom work,lol:

This isn't some crossmember that is mass produced in china and sold on summit where you pay for the part.

I am paying a guy to spend many hours measuring and drawing this thing up and making some out of 1/8" and test fitting, then more measuring more time on solid works etc... It's called research and development and it's made here in the USA. I have to pay him for his time.

I wish I had some little Asian kid in a sweat shop that happened to have a brake that could bend 3/8" and had a cheap laser cutter laying around and he worked for beans. Then maybe it will only cost 100 bucks. That would be sweet!

I am not trying to sell them. I am getting one custom made and I can get more made if anyone happens to want a nice crossmember that is done right.

Or u can get the ipor for 350 or the slee one for 400 that is 3/16". I thought for sure the price would be closer to 600. I was stoaked when he estimated 300 for it.

 

[Hobies]

My truck has been on the lift all day while we been measuring everything. Here's is the first draw up of the skid plate for reference.