I'd be nervous using aluminum for skid plate material for the T-Case... Maybe
as a cover for the front suspension parts but not underneath --then again there
are some polyurethane covers out there too. Both are attractive from a weight
perspective but I'd go with the tried and true 1/4" steel plate. I tend to be
tough on skid plates though... It always amazes me when I'm working under the
truck, notice a new gouge in the steel, and wonder where the heck I did that!
Are you sure it's cheaper to make one and not buy an after-market piece?
Good luck
Tom
P.S. It would have been cool/unique to recycle old street signs... What would
you have used? Do not enter, no parking, speed limit 5?? :-)
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: DML: Skid Plate material advice......
Author: <dakota-truck@buffnet.net> at smtpout
Date: 8/13/99 9:20 PM
I looked under my Dak awhile ago and did a prelim. plan on a transfer case
skid palte. Well, I want to make one shortly, due to deer season(which equals
plenty of trail action) to help to protect my transfer case; something I
would have done along time ago. I noticed that on the frame crossmember
running behind the tcase, there are 2 holes punched into this crossmember. On
the frame crossmember infront of the tcase, there is also 2 holes in the the
crossmember. These holes line up with each other, denoting to me that there
must have been some type of offroad(factory option?) skid plate available.
Well I want to make my own and cannot decide on what material to use for the
plate itself. I already know I will use Grade 8 hardware(nuts, bolts, etc) to
mount the plate to each crossmember. I know that 6061-T6 Aluminum is rather
popular to use for custom applications, but I cannot find it anywhere around
here and I think if I was able to buy some, it would be rather pricey. I do
work for a local public works department and have tons of free old street
signs available, but these are only 1/8" thick. Of course, there is always
the choice of the almight steel sheet/plate that I can buy anywhere from 1/4"
thick all the way upto 1" thick. I have access to a powerful drill press, so
drill the 4 holes wouldnt really be a problem; cutting it to size might be.
Any advice on what to use?
Kyle
93 Dakota 4x4 V6
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:15:48 EDT