Steel or Aluminum Skids
- Thread starter Big D
- Start date
cosmic88
Observationalist
$0.02
This opinion is all just based on mechanics and the plastic deformation of metals. For the front and rear I'd go with Aluminum (Aluminium) for two reasons. Considering an equal plate thickness measurement between steel and alum., the transferred impact forces on surrounding mounting brackets and hardware are reduced since alum. will deform "easier" thus easing mounting point stresses (slightly) and, with thickness as a common measurement, the alum. reduces overall weight (slightly).
~From an engineer with wine, crazy cheeses and time for some forum talk.
*edit* I need to lay off the grape juice... :drool:
This opinion is all just based on mechanics and the plastic deformation of metals. For the front and rear I'd go with Aluminum (Aluminium) for two reasons. Considering an equal plate thickness measurement between steel and alum., the transferred impact forces on surrounding mounting brackets and hardware are reduced since alum. will deform "easier" thus easing mounting point stresses (slightly) and, with thickness as a common measurement, the alum. reduces overall weight (slightly).
~From an engineer with wine, crazy cheeses and time for some forum talk.
*edit* I need to lay off the grape juice... :drool:
David Harris
Expedition Leader
I myself would go with aluminum for things like fuel tank skids, etc. Steel for things like diff protection and sliders. Aluminum can be strong enough for anything, though and has the advantages of light weight and corrosion resistance.
David
David
jgdisco2
Adventurer
x2 on the weight and rust issues, ive got a southdown fuel tank skid, its made of alluminum but it is still pretty darn stout. i think i would really have to come down hard on something to dent it, so im not worried about it. i do have steel diff guards though(rovertym front, qt rear) but i believe they do make alluminum ones.
timmy!!!!!!!
Explorer
This is how I would set up an LR for skids.
Diff Guards=RTE
Fuel Skid= Columbia Rovers Aluminum
Sliders = SlickRock Fab
And the front have HD steering components from any of the vendors instead of a skid plate.
Diff Guards=RTE
Fuel Skid= Columbia Rovers Aluminum
Sliders = SlickRock Fab
And the front have HD steering components from any of the vendors instead of a skid plate.
Chazz Layne
Administrator
Aluminum.
I have always been a die-hard steel guy. I figured I'd try it out on the fuel tank skid in the Disco, since the factory hitch had thus-far kept the tank well protected. Back in October I dropped off a rock ledge and landed square on the tank, the kind of thud where you just know you bent something (or with aluminum, cracked). Surprisingly, the only sign was a small gouge and a scratch in the powder coat. Not bad for a mere 18 pounds...
I have always been a die-hard steel guy. I figured I'd try it out on the fuel tank skid in the Disco, since the factory hitch had thus-far kept the tank well protected. Back in October I dropped off a rock ledge and landed square on the tank, the kind of thud where you just know you bent something (or with aluminum, cracked). Surprisingly, the only sign was a small gouge and a scratch in the powder coat. Not bad for a mere 18 pounds...
lwg
Member
I'm kind of biased but I'll explain why I chose AL to manufacture all of our skidplates.
First and foremost weight; if one were to manufacture our fuel tank skidplate in steel it will weigh around 38 lbs. I know this because my early prototypes were steel to keep prototyping costs down and I knew those models would never be sold to customers.
Rust. With AL there is none. I recently removed one of the first skidplates I manufactured for inspection and found that after a little light cleaning it looked as good as new. The only thing that can eat away materials is essentially the mag-chloride that some states use for ice protection on the roads. Even then it is easily removed as it doesn't eat through the material. Technically AL can corrode, however with the limited lifespan (think 10 years or so) of our trucks this is effectively a non-issue.
Downside to using AL is cost, however we have managed to keep our prices reasonable on our skidplates and are even trying to lower them after the first of the year. For small items like skidplates the cost versus using Steel is minimal at best as we don't have to add powdercoating or paint as we would need to protect the steel counterparts.
One last argument I hear for steel a lot is that steel will slide over rocks and obstacles easier. I don't disagree with this statement from a pure black and white standpoint. However I have personally never seen this come into play from a pure function standpoint.
Now onto the question about why don't we make more things like bumpers, sliders and roofracks out of AL. Once you start taking AL and forming it into complex shapes that involve lots of materials AND welding your costs go up substantially. For items like bumpers, skids and such you can just about figure the costs will double. Additionally it's really difficult to find good AL welders out there. Basically like looking for a Windows Administrator versus a Unix Administrator, way more Windows guys than Unix guys in the world!
First and foremost weight; if one were to manufacture our fuel tank skidplate in steel it will weigh around 38 lbs. I know this because my early prototypes were steel to keep prototyping costs down and I knew those models would never be sold to customers.
Rust. With AL there is none. I recently removed one of the first skidplates I manufactured for inspection and found that after a little light cleaning it looked as good as new. The only thing that can eat away materials is essentially the mag-chloride that some states use for ice protection on the roads. Even then it is easily removed as it doesn't eat through the material. Technically AL can corrode, however with the limited lifespan (think 10 years or so) of our trucks this is effectively a non-issue.
Downside to using AL is cost, however we have managed to keep our prices reasonable on our skidplates and are even trying to lower them after the first of the year. For small items like skidplates the cost versus using Steel is minimal at best as we don't have to add powdercoating or paint as we would need to protect the steel counterparts.
One last argument I hear for steel a lot is that steel will slide over rocks and obstacles easier. I don't disagree with this statement from a pure black and white standpoint. However I have personally never seen this come into play from a pure function standpoint.
Now onto the question about why don't we make more things like bumpers, sliders and roofracks out of AL. Once you start taking AL and forming it into complex shapes that involve lots of materials AND welding your costs go up substantially. For items like bumpers, skids and such you can just about figure the costs will double. Additionally it's really difficult to find good AL welders out there. Basically like looking for a Windows Administrator versus a Unix Administrator, way more Windows guys than Unix guys in the world!
David Harris
Expedition Leader
Wow. Thank you guys for all your input.
I'm amazed and much appreciative off all the info. I wanted to try aluminum as I've always used steel on all my trucks, and this seemed to make sense.
But thought I'd first check with everyone here to see their opinion, and comments.
Aluminum fuel tank skid it is (Columbia). Aluminum front and steel sliders and diff guards( probably mostly made steel or hard to find).
Thank again.
I'm amazed and much appreciative off all the info. I wanted to try aluminum as I've always used steel on all my trucks, and this seemed to make sense.
But thought I'd first check with everyone here to see their opinion, and comments.
Aluminum fuel tank skid it is (Columbia). Aluminum front and steel sliders and diff guards( probably mostly made steel or hard to find).
Thank again.
94Discovery
Adventurer
I think Larry did a pretty good job of laying it out. Before reading it, I was going to comment that aluminum is stofter, and can tend to be "sticky". Depending on the geography of where you are, that may or may not matter. Sand? Doesn't matter much. Smooth rock? Doesn't matter much. Broken granite? Now it matters. A truck grounded on sharp, broken rock is going to be harder to move if the skids are aluminum.
Then there's stainless steel, which is the best of both worlds, if cost is no object to you. Strong and very hard, very slippery on rock, and even more rust resistant that AL.
FWIW, welding almuminum isn't that hard, and really shouldn't cost more. It just has a perception of being difficult to weld, and the market prices it accordingly. If you're doing it yourself, and already know or are willing to learn AL, go for it!
Then there's stainless steel, which is the best of both worlds, if cost is no object to you. Strong and very hard, very slippery on rock, and even more rust resistant that AL.
FWIW, welding almuminum isn't that hard, and really shouldn't cost more. It just has a perception of being difficult to weld, and the market prices it accordingly. If you're doing it yourself, and already know or are willing to learn AL, go for it!
05LR3AZ
Adventurer
Aluminum :victory: