2nd Gen Skid Plans

samuel313

Test Drive
Location
Provo, UT
I should also be getting more info on bolt hole locations for all skids from DepHep as well as final dimensions on the gas tank skid soon. Then we'll have a complete set.
 

29erClan

Bought an X
Location
Meh
RESURRECTION!!! Again!!
...
Any body else do this or plan on doing this?
Would 1/4" aluminum work?

Ditto, yes, and yes. :)

I'm happy to find this thread from years ago with the same original source materials I had found over on the dark side. My versions are a bit different, being intended for medium duty at most while being made from 1/4" aluminum and as light as reasonably possible.

I hope it's ok to post my versions here rather than start a new thread. So far I've only completed the Trans and Transfer Case skid plates. The pdf's attached should print on regular letter paper and have tick marks for aligning and taping them together into a cut pattern. I used a normal fine-tooth carbide plywood type skilsaw blade and it cuts 1/4" aluminum just fine. Then spoolgun MIG to glue the bits together.

My aluminum gas tank version is still cardboard and I haven't got around to test fitting it yet. Anyway, here's a shot of when I completed the first 2 a year or so ago:
20180429_122401.jpg
 

Attachments

  • Xterra T-Case v2 tiled.pdf
    26.1 KB · Views: 17
  • Xterra Trans v2 tiled.pdf
    24.7 KB · Views: 23

JeffPro4x

Hot Pipe
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Glenside, PA
Ditto, yes, and yes. :)

I'm happy to find this thread from years ago with the same original source materials I had found over on the dark side.
Great 1st post and welcome here. I've silently admired your designs and work on tnx. It'll be nice to have you here
 

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
Skid plate question. What are the most important ones? I'm thinking radiator and transfer case at a minimum? What about engine and transmission (auto trans)? A full set runs about $1200 plus shipping. That's a bit pricey. I don't wheel all that much but do want some protection so I can work up to bigger trails. Any suggestions from the pros?
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
Skid plate question. What are the most important ones? I'm thinking radiator and transfer case at a minimum? What about engine and transmission (auto trans)? A full set runs about $1200 plus shipping. That's a bit pricey. I don't wheel all that much but do want some protection so I can work up to bigger trails. Any suggestions from the pros?
I've been running my X with a set of the stock P4X skids for a while now. The factory t-case skid has probably taken the least abuse.

I've actually torn one gas tank skid loose when I got hung up on a ledge and had to get yanked across it.

If I ever decide to get real skids, I'll get a steel gas tank skid and an aluminum engine skid to start. Then see how it goes from there.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
All of them? I'm not easy on my stuff. And I've used the hell out of my skids. Crucial though? Radiator and gas tank. You can avoid most obstacles to keep stuff out of the engine and T-Case. But I will say. Having all the skids really means that you wheel differently. Because you're not concerned about scraping the belly on something or landing on some weird rock.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
I'm going to rank gas tank right under radiator. I feel like the engine and trans skid are lower. You can usually see those obstacles and adjust for them.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
engine and transmission are going to be real expensive if you f up.
True story. But. As generally high as both of those are tucked in, I feel like you'd have to really screw up a line to get impact there. That might be less true with the ninja rocks of the east coast, but I wheeled my 1st Gen without skids successfully just by knowing where to be.
 

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
This all makes a lot of sense. I see how having a full set raises the comfort level and obviously gives the most protection. Like I said, I don't wheel much, but if fully skidded I could hit trails I normally wouldn't do when wheeling. Appreciate the advice all.
 

Drew

Test Drive
Location
Little Rock
A bunch of great information and insight throughout this thread!
@samuel313 - The CAD drawing PDFs are great! I can't wait to get to work on these this winter.
Thanks, all!
 

Sturmovik

Bought an X
Question...
I seen some one posted before that the plans for those skid plates dont match.. like the bents and stuff were off...
can anyone confirm or deny that ?
Thank you
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
Another related question: I have full steel skids from Shrockworks. Assuming I could break even, would it be worth the hassle and weight savings to switch some of mine out to aluminum? Obviously I'd keep steel on the radiator. Hefty claims the aluminum is about 20 lbs lighter for fuel, engine, and transfer case, with transmission being just over 25 lbs. I'm preliminarily thinking 20-40 lbs isn't that big of a deal.
 

Sturmovik

Bought an X
Another related question: I have full steel skids from Shrockworks. Assuming I could break even, would it be worth the hassle and weight savings to switch some of mine out to aluminum? Obviously I'd keep steel on the radiator. Hefty claims the aluminum is about 20 lbs lighter for fuel, engine, and transfer case, with transmission being just over 25 lbs. I'm preliminarily thinking 20-40 lbs isn't that big of a deal.
Good question too! as this is something that is on my mind as well... as I am looking at skids from Asfi company now too but not too sure is it worth it or not... but everything is expensive lol
 

HanCholo

Test Drive
If it helps anybody, I have these template files. One is a pencil drawing, the other is professional looking.
 

Attachments

  • PDF from goldfish.zip
    556.5 KB · Views: 13
  • PDF from samuel313.zip
    132.1 KB · Views: 8

Sturmovik

Bought an X
Small update... things are going well... the bends are little off.. or I am off not sure.. but for engine front bent says 15* I made it nearly 35* that way it covers and protects rad20220530_130206.jpg
 
Last edited:

Sturmovik

Bought an X
Hey yes ! they are big help I do feel I might have made some mistakes on the bends as the oil skid sticks down bit too much or maybe that how it is.. but I dont mind it.. I rather lose 1 inch of clearance then hit something important
finishing up my trans skid and will be starting t-case soon
 

Sturmovik

Bought an X
they seems off. unless is my truck is off lol
are you going to drill them by hand ? if so.. I the best/easiest way to get holes right.. is to cutout part of the skid in cardboard and just press onto bolts and then mark them.. thats how I did on this last skid.. where I had to mark/measure 5 holes..
and then just bolt with 2 bolts at the front and mark 2 holes on the cross bars..

but if you need I can check wher are they on my.. you know its not perfect anyways .
 
Top