Tubular skid plates

[Nelsonmd]

So I have been trying to justify buying a welding setup for a while. I did some TIG welding in college, and have read that a gas welding kit is relatively cheap and the most versatile (at least for backyard welding type projects and mobility), plus I live in rental properties that don't have 220V circuits. I thought that the 4runner would be a good opportunity to make back the cost of the kit.

My gas tank skid plate is rusted all the way through and needs replacement, so I was thinking about using this as a welding learning project and making a tubular framed skid plate.

I haven't really thought through the details yet, but I wanted to throw it out you guys and see what disadvantages to this idea you could come up with.

I know several of you here are quite decent welders, so I appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Jon]

I'm in the same boat with wanting my welder back (just sold it a year ago). I see several uses for it now with the 4Runner. Skid plates would also be a very simple therefore good place to start. I intend on building my own, such as a thicker single piece for the front, then maybe custom rock sliders and rear bumper.

Use existing plate for hole locations and frame building then wrap in 12-16ga steel.

 

[brian2sun]

Just some thoughts... I would use plate steel for a gas skid. You wouldn't want a sharp rock to go in-between your tubes and puncture the tank. Also, I would think using tube would give you less clearance on an already vulnerable spot on the truck, so another reason for plate.

 

[Jon]

Ohh I guess I read that wrong. I was thinking of using tubing to strengthen the design. Woops. But deff agree with Brian, the tank needs a plate. I'd use plate on anything under the truck just in case. My buddy back in GA had a rebarb rod go through his floor goin through a mud hole, lucky it was on pass side w/no passenger.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Yeah, my thought was to make a tube frame, then weld a sheet to at least the bottom faces of it.

 

[cj80cruiser]

yeah, I was thinking recently why dont people use tube under the truck instead of plate...then quickly realized my error in thinking. not only would it allow something to puncture but be a hang up rather than just sliding off.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Yeah, my thought was to make a tube frame, then weld a sheet to at least the bottom faces of it.

Nothing wrong with that except what Brian said as far as making it protrude downwards farther. Should be stronger though.

 

[rusm]

Just some thoughts... I would use plate steel for a gas skid. You wouldn't want a sharp rock to go in-between your tubes and puncture the tank. Also, I would think using tube would give you less clearance on an already vulnerable spot on the truck, so another reason for plate.

Weld some sheet metal to your factory skid, beef up the mounting struts if you're really going to be hammering on it. I was banging on mine the other weekend and it just scratched the paint.

 

[brian2sun]

Weld some sheet metal to your factory skid, beef up the mounting struts if you're really going to be hammering on it. I was banging on mine the other weekend and it just scratched the paint.

Sheet metal? Nah, You could weld 3/16" strips down it like j-money$$$. Mine is jacked...

If you want protection, Lil' Skip's Offroad Mine will be here shortly.

 

[driffter33]

If you want protection, Lil' Skip's Offroad Mine will be here shortly.

:bigok:^X2

 

[rusm]

Sheet metal? Nah, You could weld 3/16" strips down it like j-money$$$.

Or you could just weld a whole sheet of 3/16" steel to the stock skid, like I had OCD Fab do for me! :cheers: <---This is about what it cost too, much better performance for the money than commercially available offerings. Slamming down on rocks only took some paint off.

 

[J-money$$$]

Sheet metal? Nah, You could weld 3/16" strips down it like j-money$$$. Mine is jacked...

If you want protection, Lil' Skip's Offroad Mine will be here shortly.

Here is my idea. It has held up great. I actually used 1/4" because its all i had laying around.

Easy, cheap and good enough. Plus when i welded it on i had a chance to beat out all the dents

ps THERE IS NOT EOUGH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE DRIVE SHAFT AND GAS TANK FOR A TUBE FRAME.

 

[Duhockey]

Originally Posted by brian2sun

If you want protection, Lil' Skip's Offroad Mine will be here shortly.

click my sig for the Lil skips offroad gas skid... its the only one available at this time.
I can attest, Gerdo knows his stuff and built the best for our Runners,

I am glad to call him friend.

 

[Nelsonmd]

I'm not opposed to the lil skips skid plate, I am just trying to save money. How much does that skid cost? Likely for a similar price I can get a welding kit.

I guess I will have to watch out for drive shaft clearance if I do this.

 

[topdown4runner]

Harbor Freight has a nice little mig on sale for $99.

Would make a good starter welder.

Get your self one and start practicing on stuff. Look online for welding techniques and you will have it down before you know it.

Start building stuff! It's fun :jump:

 

[Nelsonmd]

Harbor Freight has a nice little mig on sale for $99.

Would make a good starter welder.

Get your self one and start practicing on stuff. Look online for welding techniques and you will have it down before you know it.

Start building stuff! It's fun :jump:

What is the quality like on those Chicago welders? I have bought a couple things from harbor freight and the quality was pretty appalling. I don't want to spend $100 and have the thing break the second time I use it.