Pathfinder Aluminium Skid Plates for 05+
- Thread starter mcm4090
- Start date
RakkasanFA
Observer
I saw these things as well. I also wonder if they would fit on the Frontier as well.
It is nice to see some more aftermarket stuff for the 05+ Pathfinders.
It is nice to see some more aftermarket stuff for the 05+ Pathfinders.
CoastalDefender
Explorer
Thanks anyways, I'll take mine in steel.
articulate
Expedition Leader
Better? Good question. There are certainly some advantages to aluminum that steel can't offer. Light weight, higher strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance. But aluminum is more costly.djkest said:
Steel skid plates can bend, as can aluminum plates. These plates in question are 1/4" thick.
I think the best benefit here is the corrosion resistance and, in second place, weight savings. You'll never have to repaint aluminum plates like you have to with steel (unless they're zinc coated, I guess). I'd like to own a set of these aluminum plates.
articulate said:
Well, I did take 2 materials classes in college. One thing I can tell you is, aluminum does not in fact have a higher strength to weight ratio than steel. Good aluminum is better than cheap steel, no doubt, but good engineering grade steel does have a virtually identical str/ weight ratio as compared to aluminum.
In 3 dimensions lighter aluminum structures can be made which will have a higher str/weight ratio, just like an I-beam has more strength than a plain rod. This would not come into play with a skid plate.
If the steel plate is heavier than the aluminum plate, I can guarantee it is going to be stronger. So really it comes down to, do you want super strong skidplates, or lighter but decently strong skidplates.
Steel offers the following advantages: Greater ductility, higher fracture toughness, and more vibration damping. In addition steel holds up a little better under high temps, although I'm not sure if any of your skidplates would be getting that hot.
In laymans terms, steel is better at bending instead of breaking, and if it does crack, it is more resistant to the crack spreading that aluminum does. If you want to talk specific numbers, I could probably dig those up to support my claims.
RakkasanFA
Observer
These skids are made by Rasta4x4usa.com
I am thinking about getting them because:
A. I really don't see me putting myself in a situation where I would be breaking them (I may come to regret this statement)
B. I had a bad experience trying to get my bumper from Shrockworks
and
C. They are lighter
I wonder exactly how much lighter they are....
I am thinking about getting them because:
A. I really don't see me putting myself in a situation where I would be breaking them (I may come to regret this statement)
B. I had a bad experience trying to get my bumper from Shrockworks
and
C. They are lighter
I wonder exactly how much lighter they are....
articulate
Expedition Leader
. . . and the key benefits of aluminum plates remain very real.
RakkasanFA
Observer
I also like the fact that there is someone else making products for our trucks. It seems like the last few months there has been a lot of new stuff coming out.
RakkasanFA
Observer
According to the guy at www.4x4parts.com they weigh 105 lbs. That is for the full set.
How does that compare to the Shrocks?
How does that compare to the Shrocks?
CoastalDefender
Explorer
RakkasanFA said:
Clue me in. I am well aware of the KMA problems, but want to know more about the Shrockworks problems some have been having.