Funny you should ask that... one of Norah's friends has access to design and
fabrication resources. I mentioned that I was planning on getting the
factory skid plates for the '95, and he said that he could design and build
some that would be much thicker and stronger for quite a bit less money. He
hasn't yet decided on the material, he mentioned titanium, but I think he
was leaning toward aircraft aluminum.
I saved the other responses in this thread, and I'll mention the points
already made there to him. I don't know a lot about materials myself, but
the point about aluminum hanging up when being dragged over obstacles sounds
like a good thing to consider.
I'll post an update when they're finished. Since the design is going in to
the computer, he says he can make up a bunch of them if anyone is interested
in aftermarket skid plates. I'm planning on doing all three (front axle,
transfer case and fuel tank -- although that last one could be pretty
interesting).
---------------------------------------------------------
Jason Bleazard http://www.bleazard.net Toronto, Ontario
current: '95 Dakota Sport white 4x4 Reg. Cab 239 V6 5spd
current: '98 Dakota Sport black 4x4 Club Cab 318 V8 Auto
RIP: '95 Dakota Sport black 4x2 Club Cab 239 V6 Auto
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet4.buffnet.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@buffnet4.buffnet.net]On Behalf Of
> GrnDak4x4@aol.com
> Sent: Friday, August 13, 1999 9:21 PM
> To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> Subject: DML: Skid Plate material advice......
>
>
> 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
>
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