My budbuilt 5 piece install

[xxaarraa]

I figured I would post up a work in progress thread of my budbuilt 5 piece skidplate kit install. After the Avid lightbar, hi-lift mount, CBI sliders, CB radio setup, FJ springs/Bilstein 5100s and AT tires, these skids are to be the last 4wheeling-focused enhancement.

I called Budbuilt last Monday, they were kind enough to offer me the veterans day discount though it was past veterans day. Shipped same day and I got it two days later on Wednesday!

I got it bare steel and so the redneck powdercoating (herculiner) process began today. Cleaned it well with xylene (3M adhesive remover) and went to work. It seems VERY well made. Haven't mounted it yet, so don't know about fitment and ease of install yet, but build quality seems top notch.

Ordered a gallon of the herculiner from Amazon. It came with two rollers and a brush. After two coats (3 hours in between) on one side, I still have 2/3rds of a gallon left (awesome).

It will sit and dry overnight, and I will do two coats on the other side tomorrow night. Hitting the trails again on Dec 7th, so we'll see what these do!

Some other random pics of a noobie going wheeling (me!). Trails in the north east are TIGHT!

 

[gaterose]

Skids look good! Looks like the truck is really coming together, I just hope you haven't been bitten by the mod bug... It's not a good thing.

That's a beautiful golden by the way!

 

[ebg18t]

very nice. I think you will really like the skids.

How did the Avid light bar attach?

 

[xxaarraa]

Skids look good! Looks like the truck is really coming together, I just hope you haven't been bitten by the mod bug... It's not a good thing.

That's a beautiful golden by the way!

Thanks Matt! He watches over all my mods with a disapproving look. Yes, I have the mod bug, bad. Any tips on how I can shake it?!

very nice. I think you will really like the skids.

How did the Avid light bar attach?

I put it on last year and forgot how it went on. I do remember I had to pop the hood and fasten the bolts to the front clip behind the front bumper. I remember it was tight back there.

 

[carcrazysammy]

Skids look good! Looks like the truck is really coming together, I just hope you haven't been bitten by the mod bug... It's not a good thing.

That's a beautiful golden by the way!

I have been bit by the mod bug and the wife is pissed. :happens:

My Budbuilt skid install was anything but easy. (In my best Russian voice) Instructions are for wussies!

Let me know if you need help. I did but never got help. Figured it out on my own no help to Budbuilt.

Sammy

 

[xxaarraa]

OK guys, wanted to share an update.

The front and mid skids went on with no problems. I put them on myself with a jack to hold the mid skid in place while I tightened it down. The mid skid has a cutout for the oil drain bolt, which is a nice touch. I have the Fumoto quick drain valve and can confirm the cutout gives me enough clearance to drain, no issues there.

The hardware provided was clearly labeled, directions I had printed out from Bud's site were easy to follow (so far). I believe the directions are the same for an FJ as well.

Then I got to the cross member and I ran into difficulties. Namely, I have CBI's bolt on sliders and Bud's crossmember would not play nice with it. I got on the phone and Bud and Shannon were very very nice and courteous. I sent them the following photos.

He said he was surprised I ran into this issue as he had CBI's specs and it should have worked. We found out CBI's design has changed recently so the driver and passenger side sliders are asymmetric - as in, the length between the front and middle frame rail brackets are shorter on the driver's side due to gas tank and to make it easier to install without dropping the gas tank.

So Bud had me send his crossmember back to him so he could modify it. He shortened his cross-member by a quarter inch, re-welded it and sent it back to me with some longer bolts. He sent it back same day, I am impressed by the service! NOTE: IF YOU HAVE BOLT-ON SLIDERS FROM CBI OR ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER, TAKE CLEAR PHOTOS AND SEND TO BUD BEFORE ORDERING HIS SKID PLATE KIT. IF HIS CROSSMEMBER NEEDS TO BE MODIFIED, IT WOULD HELP FOR HIM TO KNOW THAT BEFORE HE SHIPS EVERYTHING TO YOU, AND SAVE YOU TIME.

It went on yesterday, install was very straightforward. Instructions were clear, hardware provided was just right.

Then came the transmission skid. The instructions weren't very clear for the transmission skid and it took me quite a while to figure it out, especially since there are 4 spacer plates involved. I think Bud can easily make some improvements to the instructions for this step. I was still able to install all the 4 pieces thus far by myself, with only a jack to help.

All that is left is the gas tank skid. That thing is so enormous that I will need a buddy to help. It also has 4-5 spacer plates of all shapes and sizes so I may need to take crazysammy up on his offer to give me directions, as it looks fairly involved.

The peace of mind is going to make wheeling much easier and more enjoyable. I am looking forward to concentrating more on the lines and the scenery as opposed to biting my lip and trying not to hear the scraping from underneath!

Keeping with tradition, here are some random wheeling pics from my last trip (only had the front and mid skids mounted in time for this one).