Home Made Belly Pan

[josh.bunch]

I was up under my truck this weekend and wondering why no one has attempted to to a home made belly pan for a 3rd gen. It looks like it would be extremely easy. While looking at BudBuilt, SkidRow, and Savage's skidplates, they are all 3/16th steel.

So am I overlooking something obvious as to why I cannot get a sheet of 3/16th steel, drill holes that correspond with the existing holes in the frame, and maybe a few other smaller holes for water/mud drainage?
Also I have a factory skid covering my gas tank...why not weld an 1/8th in or 1/4in steel sheet to that instead of Lil skips and save another couple hundred bucks. Seems I could do these 2 mods and save myself 400-500 bucks easy.

I'm not really willing to attempt to the engine skid. I'll probably splurge for that one.

If I'm overlooking the obvious please someone slap some sense into me.

 

[J-money$$$]

I have done both ideas that you mentioned. Check my build thread. I think there are some pictures on there


Edit yes i have pics. on the build thread there is a link to it. When you look at the pics you can see the plating on the gas tank skid, there is a more current one on pg 2 of the skid link. You can see where i added more where needed on the out side edges

 

[jmt2404]

The only tuing holding me back frim making one is cuz I don't yave a brake to bend sheet metal and they charge way to much just for labor to bend it at metal shops. I will build a brake soon and make some skies but that's still in the making. Idk about other people but thats why I havent.

I thought about just getting a huge road sign and bending it to cover bumper to bumper and to slider to slider. Those signs are beefy and strong but lighter than steel I think.

 

[jmt2404]

The only tuing holding me back frim making one is cuz I don't yave a brake to bend sheet metal and they charge way to much just for labor to bend it at metal shops. I will build a brake soon and make some skies but that's still in the making. Idk about other people but thats why I havent.

I thought about just getting a huge road sign and bending it to cover bumper to bumper and to slider to slider. With ofcourse the necessary holes for drainage and maintenance and form for flexing. Those signs are beefy and strong but lighter than steel I think.

 

[josh.bunch]

Road sign...Interesting. They are lighter than steel but dont know about stronger. It would be interesting to see someone try. I say go for it.

 

[J-money$$$]

The only tuing holding me back frim making one is cuz I don't yave a brake to bend sheet metal and they charge way to much just for labor to bend it at metal shops. I will build a brake soon and make some skies but that's still in the making. Idk about other people but thats why I havent.

I thought about just getting a huge road sign and bending it to cover bumper to bumper and to slider to slider. Those signs are beefy and strong but lighter than steel I think.

wow... yeah galvanized sheet metal would work great as a skid.... hopefully you get a green freeway sign, that would be sickest.

ANd you dont need a brake to bend plate. use a grinder with a cutting wheel and cut a groove where you want you bend, give it a few hits with a hammer to get it where you want and then weld on top of the groove.

 

[jmt2404]

wow... yeah galvanized sheet metal would work great as a skid.... hopefully you get a green freeway sign, that would be sickest.

ANd you dont need a brake to bend plate. use a grinder with a cutting wheel and cut a groove where you want you bend, give it a few hits with a hammer to get it where you want and then weld on top of the groove.

I like your style... And I didn't know it was galvanized sheet metal thought just heavy alluminum sheets. Learn something every day.

 

[josh.bunch]

Now all I need to do is throw a rope around one and yank it down. No worries right?

 

[jmt2404]

Now all I need to do is throw a rope around one and yank it down. No worries right?

haha nice.. or just "loose control" and run over it. If you have a bumper other than a stock bumper atleast.

 

[josh.bunch]

Yes! I'll mow over it with the stock bumper, throw the sign in the cargo area, then call the police to file an accident report. "Officer, when I hit the sign it landed in my cargo area…it was the damnedest thing."

 

[ALBPM]

I could use a belly pan....Oh!! you guys are talking about the 4-Runners....LOL!!! :hungry: