Cheaper Skid Plate Options

[Kyle]

We have so many companies flying around us that I can't keep count anymore.

One of my upcoming projects is skid plates but many of the top sellers are priced so far out of my "ball league" that the stock skids (which I don't have) even sound better than their products.

I'm just not well off enough to be buying all these things but I can't destroy the truck either.

So are there any companies who sell skid plates for cheaper? They don't even have to be as strong as Hefty and Shrock but perhaps something still better than the stock ones (I don't have anyways).

If not....what's stopping me from bolting a plate of steel myself to the bottom of the truck using factory screw mounts? Any real problems with that? Thinking about going that route too.

What do you guys think? Skids on a budget! Need some advice

 

[obi_krash]

I don't think you would be the first person to wonder if you can just take plates and bolt them up. Main problem with that is that certain parts are lower than others (like the transfer case is lower than the transmission) and the places to bolt in are spaced a certain way. The gas tank skid for example, man . . . hate that.

You also have to make sure you can have access to things like your oil pan and drain plugs.

Now, AK (at Chaos) was talking about getting some of the plastic ones made up for us that they use on the Juggernaut (an Ultra 4 car, like in King of Hammers). He said he can make them cheaper than we pay for the steel ones. If you are not planning on doing anything major like serious rock crawling, they would work well. Plus they will help cut down on the weight.

I know Chris has said that Luke was running the hard plastic ones before. So he might be able to speak up on those. I mean I saw what AK puts the Juggy through, and they held up well.

 

[Kyle]

I don't think you would be the first person to wonder if you can just take plates and bolt them up. Main problem with that is that certain parts are lower than others (like the transfer case is lower than the transmission) and the places to bolt in are spaced a certain way. The gas tank skid for example, man . . . hate that.

You also have to make sure you can have access to things like your oil pan and drain plugs.

Now, AK (at Chaos) was talking about getting some of the plastic ones made up for us that they use on the Juggernaut (an Ultra 4 car, like in King of Hammers). He said he can make them cheaper than we pay for the steel ones. If you are not planning on doing anything major like serious rock crawling, they would work well. Plus they will help cut down on the weight.

I know Chris has said that Luke was running the hard plastic ones before. So he might be able to speak up on those. I mean I saw what AK puts the Juggy through, and they held up well.

I don't plan to be rock crawling at all. I'm not into that. I just want something so when we go to RCOR again I'm set. I'd rather build my truck into a overland truck than a rock crawler. Plastic is cool and would be cheaper for sure. Have you heard anything new from him? I know you've been having issues getting them to communicate back and forth.

 

[Fixitguy]

As a cheap alternative to heavy skids for doing the overland thing you're talking about, I ordered two sets of the stock covers (can't really call 'em skids) and used some nasty epoxy to stick 'em together and bolt 'em on. Not something you'd crawl with, but enough to keep the sharp desert rocks from poking holes in the oil pan. Ran me about $70 total.