ASFIR Aluminum Skids

[hoplesshumansrus]

Shot of skids from front looking back

trans skid

gas tank skid

 

[NOXIOUS007]

I just peed a little. Those are bad ***!!!

 

[TJTJ]

I'm looking forward to seeing how they hold up to abuse....most of the Al skids I see have problems in that regard.

 

[ryandavenport]

They've already been drug over rocks at coal creek. From what he said they hheld up fine.

 

[hoplesshumansrus]

Yeah me to, I only do a few trips a year where they actually get bashed on. This last Coal Creek trip they took a bunch of solid hits and are minimally scratched and still looking beautiful. And they are more than ample for where I wheel on the norm.

 

[drbandkgb]

Seen these in person take a beating... Seem to do just fine..

 

[Macland]

Got a link for them?

 

[hoplesshumansrus]

They are in this list of skids https://www.4x4parts.com/nissan/xterra-20052011-xterra-c-90_415_339_522_112.html

I only have the gas tank and transmission transfer case. Both of those skids combined weigh less than (or near to equal) the hefty engine skid I just picked up off thenewx. The front skid plate buy these guys is not compatible with after market bumpers and I do want steel in the front for the engine skid and radiator. But since this is my dd the weight savings is priceless.

 

[Macland]

......expensive

 

[chuckamazuk]

Those skids are badass...

 

[TJTJ]

Damn, at that price, you'd need to save A LOT on gas to pay for the difference!



I DO love that they are lighter though, weight is the enemy on the trail as it sabotages your COG and makes every obstacle harder, etc....so performance-wise, I think they're a good idea.

If you cut even 100 lb off the rig's weight, its noticeable in performance, and these should be great in that regard.

1/4" AL can be pretty strong, and at least it will be easier to pound flat again as opposed to the PITA *** it was to try to get my old skid-row plates flat again.

 

[civicjoe]

Them being light weight would be a plus, especially if you have to do work by your self


Sent from The Nighthog Central Command Center

 

[BigMeanTam]

Damn, at that price, you'd need to save A LOT on gas to pay for the difference!



I DO love that they are lighter though, weight is the enemy on the trail as it sabotages your COG and makes every obstacle harder, etc....so performance-wise, I think they're a good idea.

If you cut even 100 lb off the rig's weight, its noticeable in performance, and these should be great in that regard.

1/4" AL can be pretty strong, and at least it will be easier to pound flat again as opposed to the PITA *** it was to try to get my old skid-row plates flat again.

Was just noticing this thread, and excellent point about the "pounding out" part... my steel skids have some serious dents in them, and one's near an angle that's going to be virtually impossible to pound out. The dent impression's pretty close to making contact now - if I end up landing there again, it may sort of negate the idea of the amour in the first place... :-\ My main skid is a pretty big plate - I'm starting to think it may need some perpendicular cross-bracing... and this is for steel. Not sure if the same length of aluminum would work or not.

 

[TJTJ]

Was just noticing this thread, and excellent point about the "pounding out" part... my steel skids have some serious dents in them, and one's near an angle that's going to be virtually impossible to pound out. The dent impression's pretty close to making contact now - if I end up landing there again, it may sort of negate the idea of the amour in the first place... :-\ My main skid is a pretty big plate - I'm starting to think it may need some perpendicular cross-bracing... and this is for steel. Not sure if the same length of aluminum would work or not.

Typically, you need a lot more AL to protect as well as steel, as AL is dented and punctured more easily, etc...but, on the flip side, AL is lighter than steel, so you can use a thicker plate of AL, w/o having it weigh as much as the steel plate, etc.

If your steel plate was bashed in, odds are the AL plate would be too, only worse. The problems I've seen with softer/lighter plates is that even if they don't puncture per se, they are pushed up against what they were supposed to protect. Pushing up a soft aluminum plate against a steel rig part is not as bad as a rock though...and it will soften the blow at least. The real question, as everything is on the trail, is one of degree.

HOW MUCH give is too much, how soft is too soft, etc.

Its NOT like steel plates are indestructible, THEY get bashed up too, it just tends to take more bashing to DO it.

If YOU can pound a plate flat again more easily, so can a rock pound it UN-FLAT again more easily, etc.

 

[Ron ap Rhys]

Steel has some advantages and disadvantages. It's stronger, but heavier. Dents can be pounded out and chances are it won't crack and break. Aluminum is lighter, but not as strong. It will, if flexed, eventually crack and fail.

If I were racing or doing something time-oriented, aluminum is the way to go. Since I'm not, steel is what works long-term.