10-07-2019, 05:12 AM
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#1
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Aluminum skid plates?
Does anyone make aluminum skid plates? I need to add some armor but am really trying to avoid adding a bunch of weight.
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10-07-2019, 06:04 AM
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#2
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10-07-2019, 08:46 AM
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#3
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Is it honestly enough weight to matter?
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10-07-2019, 12:21 PM
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#4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jross20
Is it honestly enough weight to matter?
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Probably 50+ pounds. By itself that’s not a lot, but adding a bunch of armor adds up quick. I’ve already got a CO front bumper and 4xI sliders. A full set of steel skids is another 150ish pounds.
All that said, those budbuilt aluminum skids are pricey....
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10-07-2019, 12:22 PM
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#5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jross20
Is it honestly enough weight to matter?
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My front end drops 3/4" when I put my lower armor on...
-Charlie
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10-07-2019, 12:31 PM
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#6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phattyduck
My front end drops 3/4" when I put my lower armor on...
-Charlie
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That's entirely dependent on your spring rate.
Why spend more money on skids that are weaker?
Find or make some 1/8" steel skids with good gusseting on the backside, or use a combination of stock and aftermarket skids. Way cheaper.
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10-07-2019, 12:40 PM
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#7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inv4drZm
That's entirely dependent on your spring rate.
Why spend more money on skids that are weaker?
Find or make some 1/8" steel skids with good gusseting on the backside, or use a combination of stock and aftermarket skids. Way cheaper.
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Aluminum has a higher specific strength than steel - designed correctly it can be the same strength and lighter than steel. And it won't rust if damaged on on the trail.
All that said, I have steel skids.
-Charlie
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10-07-2019, 02:27 PM
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#8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phattyduck
Aluminum has a higher specific strength than steel - designed correctly it can be the same strength and lighter than steel. And it won't rust if damaged on on the trail.
All that said, I have steel skids.
-Charlie
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It has a higher strength to weight ratio, but in this case it weighs less.
Doing the math, 5052 h32 Alum has a specific strength of 85, 1018 steel is 55.
Designed correctly I agree it can be as strong and lighter, but it would have to be like 3/8"-1/2" thick. 1/4" is hardly an increase from 3/16", aluminum is 35% stronger per weight but it's half the weight.
Even then, steel being much hard slides a lot easier so there are other mechanical properties in steel's favor.
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10-07-2019, 08:14 PM
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#9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phattyduck
Aluminum has a higher specific strength than steel - designed correctly it can be the same strength and lighter than steel. And it won't rust if damaged on on the trail.
All that said, I have steel skids.
-Charlie
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Then no one is designing it correctly. I don't know of one person with aluminum skids, that actually wheels, that hasn't bent them to hell. My Savage skids are 3/16th steel. I've barely managed to bend them after hundreds of miles of hard trails. If your just cruising fire roads aluminum will be fine. If you plan on playing in the rocks steel, and thick steel, is the way to go.
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10-07-2019, 08:50 PM
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#10
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Seems like I've only been able to get out in the woods a few times a year. Mine spends WAY more time commuting to work. I want big ass 1/4" steel skids but can't justify it for the same reasons I can't justify tons and 40s.
Maybe the answer is a set of steel skids that spend 95% of the time leaned up against the wall in the basement
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10-07-2019, 09:25 PM
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#11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thezentree
Seems like I've only been able to get out in the woods a few times a year. Mine spends WAY more time commuting to work. I want big ass 1/4" steel skids but can't justify it for the same reasons I can't justify tons and 40s.
Maybe the answer is a set of steel skids that spend 95% of the time leaned up against the wall in the basement
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I have a full set of big arse steel skids. only run them once or twice a year. so yes they lean up on the wall most of the time.
but.. I would say it's nice to have them on and I have banged mine pretty hard a couple of times. I need to go out and find some nice thin poly or rubber washers to isolate the skids from the frame for next year. on my never ending to-do list.
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10-08-2019, 12:00 AM
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#12
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Aluminum is not really a true "metal" to me. It has no fatigue limit, it can crack, fracture, honestly it's just a really sad material.
Now titanium? That is a legit metal.
If only it wasn't retard expensive...
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10-08-2019, 08:07 PM
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#13
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RCI in colorado makes aluminum skids as well. It doesn't look like they list them on their site any more for 3rd gens but you might try calling and asking. Their prices are reasonable compared to bud-built.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thezentree
Does anyone make aluminum skid plates? I need to add some armor but am really trying to avoid adding a bunch of weight.
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10-09-2019, 11:10 AM
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#14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thezentree
Does anyone make aluminum skid plates? I need to add some armor but am really trying to avoid adding a bunch of weight.
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You're not alone. I've been looking into aluminum or 1/8 steel skids to keep weight down too. I like the idea of added strength 3/16 offers but wouldn't be the wisest choice for me since I know the conditions my 4runner will generally be exposed to. The weight savings of aluminum or 1/8 steel doesn't seem like much by itself but it all adds up quick especially with all the extra gear for trips. Similar to deciding on what tools to carry for roadside/trail repairs so you're not overloaded. I'm already making my 4runner work too hard with tires that are too big & stock gears. It's a balancing act for sure.
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10-09-2019, 11:20 AM
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#15
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If you're not cutting weight on every single aspect of your vehicle, the 50-65lbs you save between aluminum and steel won't make a lick of difference in mpg. Not enough to make up the extra $500 you've spent.
If you can cut weight a little everywhere, lighter brakes, removed roof rack, exhaust, etc, then yeah it could actually add up, get the aluminum skids.
Somebody needs to make a set of 1/8" AR400 skids. Slides over rock easily, probably still cheaper than aluminum.
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2005 4R Sport 4WD "The last of the V8s!" - Custom TIG'd SS Dual Exhaust - King 2.5" +2 LT. - ARB Front & Rear - 37's - Dana 60 - Build Thread
2005 Tundra 2WD Regular Cab V8 - Chopped Frame - Short Bed Swap
1977 Celica Liftback - LFX Swap - Build Thread
Last edited by Inv4drZm; 10-09-2019 at 11:25 AM.
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