Aluminum Skids from Bud Built!

[chimyz]

Aluminum skids are awesome. I had 5mm thick full skids from Rasta4x4 on my Landcruiser. They were more than adequate, although I didn't have them long enough for a long term test comment.

I know they make them for the fourth gen 4runners and the cost is close to $900 for complete coverage. If interested in the Tacoma someone should also shoot them an email. They may just go ahead and build something up.

 

[xcmountain80]

I don't feel that double the price is worth the weight, fuel economy will likley not even be hindered or comparable between the two, I know w/o skids my mpg's suffer. I thought about AL but am at the other end of the Overlanding crowd as I use mine to pivot my rig. But all is not lost AL would work on a rig no problem just depends on what you want to use it for.

A

 

[slooowr6]

My rig is never going to see any hardcore action so aluminum works for me. I'm getting the Mid and Trans skid.

 

[Overland Hadley]

I'm getting the Mid and Trans skid.

Let us know your thoughts when you get them. (And some photos would be great!)

 

[slooowr6]

FYI, Bud also offers 1/8" stainless steel skid. Might be a good option for the long winter.

 

[squatch]

Well I ordered my skids today! Looked into the rasta skids but they are not making tacoma stuff at this time. Really was after aluminum for my needs. Glad to do bizness with Bud! Hope some more folks order up some aluminum skids? Hate for this to be a one off project!

 

[Overland Hadley]

Well I ordered my skids today! Looked into the rasta skids but they are not making tacoma stuff at this time. Really was after aluminum for my needs. Glad to do bizness with Bud! Hope some more folks order up some aluminum skids? Hate for this to be a one off project!

Nice. Did you get the full set? Post up some photos when you get them.

 

[kdiddy]

It seems after looking through this thread that the ideal material for skids would be titanium sheet metal. As light or lighter than aluminum, very resilient and tough, corrosion proof, no need for paint. Oh yeah, big $$$, but a one time investment.

Let's buy some titanium sheet and have Bud turn it into some sweet skids!

What say ye?

 

[deadbeat son]

It seems after looking through this thread that the ideal material for skids would be titanium sheet metal. As light or lighter than aluminum, very resilient and tough, corrosion proof, no need for paint. Oh yeah, big $$$, but a one time investment.

Let's buy some titanium sheet and have Bud turn it into some sweet skids!

What say ye?

Titanium is actually heavier than aluminum; it is an alloy of aluminum and vanadium. Because it is stronger than aluminum, in most applications you can use less material, hence the weight savings. I'm not sure how it would work for skids though; less material equals thinner sheet.

 

[soonenough]

It seems after looking through this thread that the ideal material for skids would be titanium sheet metal. As light or lighter than aluminum, very resilient and tough, corrosion proof, no need for paint. Oh yeah, big $$$, but a one time investment.

Let's buy some titanium sheet and have Bud turn it into some sweet skids!

What say ye?

Buying enough 3/16" or 1/4" Grade 2 Titanium plate to do a full set of skids would cost thousands of dollars. Add in the enormously high cost of welding titanium properly, plus the cost of the bends, the manufacturer's profit, etc, and you'd have a set of skids that basically no one could afford.

 

[TangoBlue]

Did anyone consider unobtanium as an alternative to titanium?

 

[slooowr6]

Did anyone consider unobtanium as an alternative to titanium?

Thanks to Google, I think it's best to DLC the Unobtanium to reduce friction so it not only skid but will glide over rocks. :elkgrin:

 

[squatch]

took awhile but my aluminum bud built skids are here! hope to get them on and share some photos. very stoked!

 

[TangoBlue]

It took 4 months to get you the skids?

Mine the ore; smelt the ore; process the ignot; roll into sheet; purchase the sheet; bend it to the CAD pattern; ship to you? Yeah, 4 months seems about right...

 

[squatch]

yeah... just in time for the snow!