Fabbing new skidplates, need help

Tarpon · #1 (**permalink**) 03-17-2005, 08:37 AM

I picked up this idea from Petersons 4WD magazine. Because i do not have over 500 bucks to throw around on a complete set of skidrow plates i have decided to make my own. I will be using 1/2" cutting board and make all three plates that skidrow offers. Lots of offrpad pro trucks use this because it is very tough, light and slides over rocks nicely. If any of you know the proper dimensions for tundra skidplates could you send me them? Also should i buy new bolts? Anybody know where to buy cutting board? thanks --- Ben

DevinSixtySeven · #2 (**permalink**) 03-17-2005, 08:48 AM

do you have a link to this cutting board stuff? also, while it might work great for rock buggies and whatnot, or as a laminate over another material, are you certain it'll work in the width necessary to cover a tundra without breaking? youre looking at a 4' wide section to span the frame, plus several bends to clear the transfer case, and a couple bends in the front to hook up with the forward crossmember.

also fwiw i know the price of steel is high right now (thats why the skidrow plates are more expensive now than in the past), but thats no excuse to copy their products for yourself regardless the material. i dont mean that to sound like an admonishment as much as a reality check, since i dont want our vendors wondering if it's safe/worth it to design and manufacture products for us if we're gonna bite 'em for ourselves.

however...you will need to know where the holes to the frame are. the rest should be fairly easy, a little trig and youre ready to figure out how to put a bend in that stuff and have it as strong as it'll need to be for a midsize truck.

-sean

Tarpon · #3 (**permalink**) 03-17-2005, 05:44 PM

Yea, i didn't mean to sound like i was copying them. The plates I plan on making will not be as nice as the skidrow plates, but they will do. I just wanted to know if anybody knew what dimensions i would need to properly cover the right areas. You can buy sheets of the cutting board stuff at places like home depot or Lowe's. I also know a guy that sells similiar stuff to cutting board so i might get a good deal. Its made out of different materials, but most of it is kind of like a fiberglass. It is fairly flexible, but remains strong. I am not going to make a front skid plated, but am going to make one for the transfer case. Are they any other spots i should try to protect? thanks for the help -- Ben

chrislloyd · #4 (**permalink**) 03-17-2005, 06:54 PM

just my 2 cents...

but i dont know how making your own set of skidplates is copying or ripping off skidrow. bent metal is bent metal. the holes can only go in certain places to mount it...my tundra says so.... if you know anything about mechanical engineering... you know to put bends in certain spots to reinforce the setup. you would know to use certain gauge metals to achieve the protection you desire. if you have ever changed your own fluids.. you know to put a hole in to get the oil filter out.. drain the oil... diff... etc.

i think the only way to truly copy thier design would be to put thier logo on your design.... now that would be wrong. otherwise... IMO fair game.

dsrtrcr01 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-17-2005, 07:03 PM

I agree that making them is not copying. But what I think is wrong is getting theirs making a duplicate. Ohter then that it is fair game.

I do not know if fiberglass would be strong enough to hold the weight, have you seen this before? I use aluminum.

Tarpon · #6 (**permalink**) 03-17-2005, 08:59 PM

Thanks for the replies. I in no way plan on copying the designs of skid row. I think it is very important to encourage aftermarket companies to continue making new Tundra skidplates. I figure a skid plate is a skid plate. I only wanted to know the size of material i needed to cut to cover the proper areas.

dsrtrcr- I saw this in Petersons 4WD and Offroad mag. They used it on their project Trailex vehicle. They did a buildup feature of this rig in atleast 5 or 6 issues. They are experts so i will trust their opinion. This is not for hard core rock bashing, just a little added protection.

dsrtrcr01 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-18-2005, 11:54 AM

I just never saw it before. Let us know how it turns out.

Tarpon · #8 (**permalink**) 03-18-2005, 06:26 PM

I found a company called Syantec that makes a high impact, abrasion resistant polymer. It also is maleable like metal. You can order a 1/4" thich 4x8 foot sheet for 80 bucks. This is what I will be using and then coat it with a cheap paint on bedliner. I'll load pics when they're done.