Overlanding skid plates

[Free Beer]

My opinion and experience

Skid for an overlanding vehicle, should be able to take a decent hit and protect the vehicle without being overkill in the weight or size department. For my tracker and mitsu i NEEDED some protection but i knew i wasn't going to be dragging either rig over the rocks all the time. If i screw up and slam one into a rock with the weight of the vehicle im banking on them to do their job and protect sensitive components, if they happen to tweak slightly thats fine with me, as long as they do their job. I'm a believer that (within reason) proper bracing and proper mounting can make a thinner skid work well while saving weight. Bends can help too. If i had a dimple die tool, that would be the first thing i go to, but i dont so i use bracing on the back side of the skids to help with load distribution.

My montero sport trans skid, .125 plate with 1x1x.125 braces

vehicle side

and ground side

montero oil pan and diff skid .190 plate and the 1x1x.125 braces I would have liked to do this all one piece but that wasn't an option.

vehicle side

ground side

Tracker front skid same .125 plate and some square tube braces

ground side

vehicle side

As always to each their own, but so far these skids work for me and my uses.

Mike

Nice work!
Are those construction hold-down washers for bolt head protection? I love it!

 

[cnynrat]

BTW, I wasn't saying Scott needs 3/8" skids. Simply that I have bent them

I agree. You really need to consider what type of terrain you typically travel through, degree of difficulty you want to be prepared for, and so forth. Then you need to trade off those factors against the weight you are willing to add to your vehicle.

Like most things in the real world there are trade offs and no single right answer for everyone.

 

[corax]

I keep thinking that once I get my Budd crossmember I want to build something similar to the H1 Alpha "ladder" skids with an HDPE skin to help slide over anything that I might otherwise get snagged on - structural rigidity + light(er) weight?

 

[Ala5ka]

I just went with 1/4" Aluminum along the belly with well placed cross members that take the substantial weight. The bottom of my VX looks like one large shiny plate. I do need to find a better way to attack it though than tabs and graded fasteners. I feel like the tabs are a weak link. My cross members are at the front A arm, behind the oil pan, transmission cross member, TOD (torque on demand) member and rear frame member before the rear axle. I'll get some pics later. I do have a problem with mud getting up in it though. I got the long piece from a local metal yard for FREE!