I smashed the hell out of my skid plate this past weekend. I'm looking into getting a new one. Does anyone have a site that they know of that sells them? I'd like a nice aluminum one. Although i've been told that i could fabricate one myself. If so then where do i start?
HELP!
INACOMA
04-11-2002, 06:40 AM
Just go buy some aluminum from a parts store that is big enough to cover that area and either you can have them cut it or you have to cut it. Then just drill, and bolt that muthafuka up!
slk23022
04-11-2002, 07:46 AM
Sweet concept for a looks mod.. i'm not too sure though if it would serve a strong purpose in protecting that area though..
I think i'll try that.. nice!
Felixatvtc
04-11-2002, 07:53 AM
well if not an aluminum one, then what would be stronger? I guess looking nice would be cool but i need something that's functional too!
slk23022
04-11-2002, 08:06 AM
Seems lots of companies are going with steel (as far as more offroad based and strength). Other companies that seems to carry a more "exterior mod" style has anodized aluminum.
Felixatvtc
04-11-2002, 08:11 AM
Hmm... I suppose steel would be much stronger. Do you know of a place(or site) that would sell something like that? or do you think i could just go to a steel mill or where-ever you get steel from and have them cut something for me? Or would that just be to darn heavy?
slk23022
04-11-2002, 08:19 AM
I'm no expert, but i'm sure if you found a steel mill they'd cut you a slab.. if not give you some scrapping that would fit your needs.. If you're planning on doing offroading (major stuff, like trails, speeds, camping, washboard runs) and all that stufff you ened to have some good bolt-ons that will stay bolted on. THeres lots of corrosion, dust, dirt, mud, snow, heat, and vibration that'll just destroy stuff that hasn't been tested..
But if you're like me, i'm going to go with Andy's suggestion of doing the aluminum... hah!
Felixatvtc
04-11-2002, 08:59 AM
I'll probably just get an Aluminum one for now. I do some offroading, but i don't have a lift or anything yet so i'm sure whatever offroading i do now won't require steel. I could prolly just rig the aluminum one over the stock one, that would work if i fabricated some kind of brackets right? Well in theory.
slamdtaco
04-11-2002, 09:28 AM
Try <a target="_blank" href=http://fabtechmotorsports.com>fabtechmotorsports.com</a>. Here's a pic. It comes solid or with the "FABTECH" cutout. http://fabtechmotorsports.com/toyota/taco_2/taco_2_img/tac_2wd_im.jpg
Felixatvtc
04-11-2002, 10:48 AM
That's a nice looking skid plate, unfortunatly they don't make it for a 99. Another thing is that skid plate is intergraded into the desert brush/light bar. Can't have that, i hope to put on an ARB bumper at some point.
Comatose
04-11-2002, 06:31 PM
you need 1/8" or 3/16" steel for a good skid.....I'll be making one soon for my truck
Felixatvtc
04-11-2002, 09:13 PM
let me know if you do, or if you havn't what are you using for dimensions? and bolts? using the stock as a model and tweaking it?
Comatose
04-12-2002, 07:38 PM
I'm just going to wing it.....I guess I'll use the stock bolt locations at the rear...but the front will be mounted to my bumper. The attached pic, shows how it looks now. You can see how far the stock skids sit below my bumper.....the new skid will cover the mounts that we made for the TJM to look right with my 3" BL also.
Felixatvtc
04-13-2002, 06:41 PM
that looks mint,let me know what it looks like when you get it all set up. how much did that TJM bumper set you back?
Comatose
04-13-2002, 07:17 PM
It runs around $450....I got it from John Ward at http://www.UltimateOff-Road.com John's a member of TTORA and a good guy