Custom Skid Plate Build

[axiom]

Ok so In between working ugly shifts and hours this week I've started to mock up some plans and talked to some guys out Windsor way about getting stuff bent and that kinda thing.

But as you can see from the photos this part of the skid should be fairly easy, I've added "wings" to the side of it so it should be stiff enough to bridge the gap between crossmembers,

The general consensus to people I have talked to should be that 4mm should be thick enough. On top of that I will add UHMWPE along the edges so if I get hung up on steps it slides a lot more easily.

I've just got to work out the best way for me to mount them to the actual car

[KKnut]

Looks very interesting mate, except the skewers!

[ick72]

Make clamp type mounts using nutserts and bolts add a couple of drainage holes to let mud out also to help with heat transfer and cooling

[axiom]

Originally Posted by KKnut

Looks very interesting mate, except the skewers!

Haha the skewers are an important part of the design, they help to add a certain degree of longitudinal stiffenings, and somewhat waterproof the cardboard design, for help with water crossings.

Either that or i couldn't get cardboard in the right length for the right price

[KKnut]

How's the skid plate design going? If I remember correctly you don't have sliders yet, are your considering them as part of the skid or is that not practical? I figured the plate could mount to the chassis rails like skids do but I'm not sure if the transfer case, tail shaft or something else would prevent this? I've become even more interested in this project after wrapping my tail shaft with grass on the weekend, took a good half hour to hack it off!

[briteway]

Ooh, that's pretty bad. Who needs a ride-on.

Yes, axiom has sliders already.

[axiom]

I've already got sliders, they were the custom ones that STU built for the KJ. However i looked at going further back than the back of the rear most crossmember, however accounting for tailshaft droop under flex, is the issue for me, so im unsure if i will go further back. However i do want to design a bash plate around the rear diff so to help it ramp up and over objects instead of just slamming into things.

However work has been slow on the skids, i was able to pick up a Mopar Fuel Tank skid for $50 from canberra, and spent last week fitting it. The fuel tank skid by all records seems to be overkill for the KJ's so im quite happy with the design and definitely for the price.