Question about budbuilt's belly skid???

[DeTwizzle]

Do I need the front skid that budbuilt's make to attach the belly skid.
I have been pretty satisfied with the stock skid up front so far, so I just purchased the belly skid.
But after looking into it, it looks like it is necessary to have the front skid as well so that the front of the belly skid has something to bolt to.
Is anyone running just the belly skid from Budbuilt's?

 

[brian2sun]

Yeah, you can but it'll be real floppy. The belly pan has 7 bolts - 3 along the back, 2 on the sides, and 2 in the front.

If it was just the 2 in the front that you'd be missing (the ones that connect to the front BB skid), it would be ok. But I can't get the midway passenger side bolt in because my cat is in the way (it's a '97 OEM cat). If that's the case with yours (which I imagine it will be), 4 bolts isn't enough.

I have my front skid off right now because I'm dealing with an oil leak and I can hear the belly pan shaking under there when I hit bumps. You may want to just get a front skid - if nothing else, it's worth it for the radiator protection. Another option if you don't want the front skid is Skidrow's tranny and t-case pans. I don't remember exactly how those are bolted in, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Is anyone running just the belly skid from Budbuilt's?

I thought I needed both but after talking to some people I was told to just get the front skid plate, not the belly.

I have the BUD BUILT front skid plate and it is massively strong (as is the belly skid). I am glad I didn't get the belly skid because of the extra weight.

The front piece weighs ~80 lbs and all the added weight adds up!

:boink:

 

[brian2sun]

I thought I needed both but after talking to some people I was told to just get the front skid plate, not the belly.

I have the BUD BUILT front skid plate and it is massively strong (as is the belly skid). I am glad I didn't get the belly skid because of the extra weight.

The front piece weighs ~80 lbs and all the added weight adds up!

:boink:

You might change your mind about the belly skid if you rip a hole in that boulder magnet called your tranny pan! I think the belly pan is mandatory if you like to play in the rocks.

My front skid and belly pan weigh ~55 lbs each. That's what it said on the UPS shipping label at least.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Right now I don't play hard on the rocks because this truck is my daily driver. In the next 6 months I will get another car and keep my truck for camping / wheeling. At that point I plan to have one of the local shops FAB an aluminum belly plate.

I wanted the Bud Built for the front because it is heavy duty, and looks awesome.

 

[brian2sun]

Just a thought...
Bud told me before I bought mine that he will still honor the "package" deal ($500 for both + shipping) even if I buy the skids separately at different times. It might be cheaper to just get the BB belly pan than to pay a shop to fab one for you.??

 

[DeTwizzle]

No definitely need a belly skid. I have come very close to my transfercase, and my frame cross member is scratched up to hell. I ordered some rear control arm skids b/c I was deforming them from rocks. If you play in the rock you need the armor.
I must thank Glen at Lotus Development who was super quick on getting me these skids.... I wouldnt want to have to replace the entire mount, mostly b/c I know nothing about welding! LOL
Thanks again Glen!

 

[J-money$$$]

too bad you dont have a welder. I would recommend the bud front, and the whole package is nice, but my belly skid cost me about $45 to make out of 3/16" plate I couldnt justify scrapping it for a little nicer appearance

 

[brian2sun]

Definitely agree about needing armor if you like to play in rocks. The stock rear LCA mounts just take so much damage because of where they are. Mine aren't pretty, but j-money$$$ and I welded some 3/16" plate onto the face of ours (before the Lotus ones were available). We've beaten the crap out of them and they're holding up great. We also welded some side plates on too because the bolts started to round out the holes..

 

[J-money$$$]

Look at those beauties! Best $5 in plate ever spent I have beat the heck out of mine and they seem to be doing good

 

[brian2sun]

Look at those beauties! Best $5 in plate ever spent I have beat the heck out of mine and they seem to be doing good

For sure! Our mounts would look like Driffter's if we hadn't plated them!

 

[DeTwizzle]

Ha ha... Hey if it works, it works. And $5 is about 90% cheaper than what I paid... but hey, welding is a skill and I have none of.

 

[J-money$$$]

Ha ha... Hey if it works, it works. And $5 is about 90% cheaper than what I paid... but hey, welding is a skill and I have none of.

I have very little myself.

 

[brian2sun]

I have very little myself.

STFU. You can weld good dude.