- Location
- Chattanooga
Just searching around online and I saw some sites where people made their own skids mostly on jeep forums. Why dont more people do this?
Sent from my Note 2 using Tapatalk HD
Sent from my Note 2 using Tapatalk HD
Anyone ever made homemade skids?
- Thread starter Big_THanks
- Start date
- Location
- Brentwood, TN
I haven't tried it, but I heard getting all the bends into the metal and getting everything lined up was the tough part. I've also heard of people using thick sheets of HDPE plastic for skids. Not sure if that is for all skids, or just the radiator plate. Seems to me if you could borrow one and use that for measurements it wouldn't be too bad.
- Location
- Chattanooga
I've heard the HDPE warps from the heat.
I'm sure you could make some decent protection without copying the exact bends of a production skid. Idk I haven't done it myself.
I would like some skids but there is no way I could drop that much money on a set.
Sent from my Note 2 using Tapatalk HD
- Location
- Brentwood, TN
HDPE warping: Exactly my concern.
robcarync
Sliders
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
There was one thread of someone making one giant skid for the entire truck out of HDPE plastic.
In that same thread, I think RacerXXL said he made two skids...engine/transmission skid out of HDPE plastic and had no issues. I think the single large HDPE warped from the heat of the exhaust cross over.
I will eventually go the HDPE route to save on weight, and just have a few specific sheets protecting things instead of one giant belly pan to penguin slide on.
In that same thread, I think RacerXXL said he made two skids...engine/transmission skid out of HDPE plastic and had no issues. I think the single large HDPE warped from the heat of the exhaust cross over.
I will eventually go the HDPE route to save on weight, and just have a few specific sheets protecting things instead of one giant belly pan to penguin slide on.
- Location
- Ontario Canada
I know that some second gen owners have made their owne skids. I have a few drawings dome up with some measurments taken off of TNX. the only skid that I am still not sure on how it will work is the T-case skid though. I can see if i can find and either link or post the pics when I get home from work tonight
- Location
- Chattanooga
- Location
- Chattanooga
metzican
Suspension Lift
- Location
- Lafaytte, la
I thought there was a thread on this site with some drawing for the 2nd gens to make there own skids. I just don't have the stuff to make all the bends and most of the strength comes from these bends.
- Location
- Ontario Canada
there is, found it here:
http://xterranation.org/showthread.php?4029-2nd-Gen-Skid-Plans[/URL]
http://xterranation.org/showthread.php?4029-2nd-Gen-Skid-Plans[/URL]
- Location
- Carlisle, Iowa
I made my own, just cut out cardboard to make templates then cut out metal 3/16" steel and welded angle iron on the edges to make it sturdy...
The hdpe route will be really really expensive, I used to have some... They don't really work, hdpe will flex under the weight... Just do yourselves a favor and use steel...
Hdpe could work of it were 3/4" at the thinnest, but it's expensive and will still melt, hdpe is only heat rated for about 200 degrees...
The hdpe route will be really really expensive, I used to have some... They don't really work, hdpe will flex under the weight... Just do yourselves a favor and use steel...
Hdpe could work of it were 3/4" at the thinnest, but it's expensive and will still melt, hdpe is only heat rated for about 200 degrees...
robcarync
Sliders
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
Good feedback. The angle iron was my initial thought like you said, but liked the idea of saving weight. May have to just accept a VERY slow and sluggish xterra
Intender
Wheeling
- Location
- Lewisville NC
I have found a few local shops I plan on going to and trying to see if they can make me some skids. One of them I know has made stuff like that in the past for other trucks, the others I havnt talked to yet, but they are closer to the house which would be nice since I could get there and work with the guy on the design. and xterror, thats a good idea on the angle iron, I feel stupid for not thinking of that before. For me the cost of ordering a set of skids isnt very prohibitive to me ordering them, but the cost of shipping and/or wait time to get them annoys the heck out of me. I would love to have a set of shrock skids, but the idea off waiting 4 months to get them after ordering them is just too much for my poor impatient adhd brain to handle. i feel bad saying this, but when I want something, I want it now. And I think it annoys me even more because I could build most of the stuff I want if I had the equipment to bend pipe and a decent welder that I didnt have to practically beg to use when I want to build something. The only equipment I personally own is an angle grinder and a 100 amp harbor freight welder which doesnt get me far.
robcarync
Sliders
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
If you can afford shrock skids, you can afford a hobart welder and a harbor freight tube bender 
Intender
Wheeling
- Location
- Lewisville NC
Well the problem with that is if I bought a welder, I want to get one thats overkill. I could probably do most of what I want with a hobart 140 or a decent ac stick welder, but if I am going to spend the money on another welder I am going to get a 190 or a 210. If not one of those I will probably get something like the lx235 ac/dc stick welder.
And I am kind of the same way about getting a tube bender. I could probably buy a harbor freight bender, but I have seen all the crap people have to go through to try and bend dom with one and not crush it in the process and I would rather not deal with it. But I dont think I could ever justify spending enough to get a jd2 and the dies because I just dont think I would ever use it enough to break even vs having somebody bend it for me.
And I am kind of the same way about getting a tube bender. I could probably buy a harbor freight bender, but I have seen all the crap people have to go through to try and bend dom with one and not crush it in the process and I would rather not deal with it. But I dont think I could ever justify spending enough to get a jd2 and the dies because I just dont think I would ever use it enough to break even vs having somebody bend it for me.
- Location
- Carlisle, Iowa
I have the Hobart 140 and it has been able to do everything I've needed it to do with ease.. 1/4" plate was no big deal
- Location
- Denver Adjacent
Why don't people do more themselves? Simple. I don't have a welder. Or a cutter. Or the knowledge. And I don't have the money or time to buy or learn how. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to get into metal work. But I just don't have time right now. I would have loved to build my own bumper too. But I just don't have the resources. So I bought one.
- Location
- Chattanooga
That's taking the idea here a little too broad spectrum. That's like saying if you know how to use a hammer why not build a house. I didnt mean it that way.
I was meaning more toward people who do have the means. For example there are a ton of ppl who have done custom stuff elsewhere (bumpers, racks, etc.) Why hasnt anyone tackled these? I was just curious more than anything.
Sent from my Note 2 using Tapatalk HD
- Location
- Rochester, NY
I would have the means to do them I just haven't had the need really to build any. Eventually I'd like to, just haven't felt like i need them yet.
- Location
- machesney park IL
I've made two of my skid plates. Used a basic 100amp century welder, and a sawsall. They don't have to look awesome just have to protect components. Sure I can't bend the thick metal but I can cut and weld it at any angle. Start with cardboard scissors and tape or the factory skid plate to lay the road map. I was rather pleasantly surprised how easy it was to cut and fabricate it was more so time consuming then anything else. Not sure why many others don't. I guess it is rather hard working under the truck testing the fitment and many people just don't have the time or tools finding it simply easier to pull out a credit card on a proven design.
Last edited:
- Location
- Warsaw IN.
- Location
- Warsaw IN.
- Location
- Ontario Canada
Hey dep, How is your T-case skid holding up??? did you ever extent it to the Drive shaft hoop or are you still running it acodign to the plans depicted here?
Frogstar7055
Wheeling
- Location
- Jacksonville FL
Are these first or second gen?
- Location
- Denver Adjacent
Those would be 2nd Gen.
- Location
- Gulfport, MS
Yea they are 2nd Gen. I have a local fab shop who would do a full set for $200, just need the time to get down there and get them done. Dep's used those same plans but has to mod the gas tank skid due to a bracket that needs to be mounted.