Skid plates that actually work?

Dave-O-Matic · 03-14-2009, 11:46 AM

I've used many skid plates over the years and have still not found a decent set. Many of these sets run close to $1000 and look like as high tech as an F-16, but the first boulder you high-side on bashes in the plate and anything under it. I'm not saying that they do no good, but for $1000, is there anything out there that will withstand an impact?

ElkoTrailRider · 03-14-2009, 05:02 PM

We installed Trail Armour's complete Prowler package, and it came back from our first trip to Moab looking like nothing had touched them. These are steel, not aluminum, and I think that is important.

Dave-O-Matic · 03-14-2009, 05:21 PM

I was reading about the Trail Armor stuff. The steel is "14 ga." vs. their aluminum that is 1/8" thick. 14 ga. is just slightly thicker than 1/16" — pretty thin, but that's good news that it held up. I'm assuming that you whacked it on a rock a few times?

ElkoTrailRider · 03-15-2009, 10:18 AM

Ah, yeah, we were able to find several rocks and the edges of ledges in Moab!

Truthfully, I have been very happy with these skid plates, and the A-arm guards are great, especially when driving in the brush (no cut CV boots).

fidds · 10-20-2009, 10:34 PM

Just a quick update. I have had my skid plates for 2 months now, and the undercarriage looks like it has been hit by a meteor shower. All my stock bolts are gone. These skid plates suck. Who makes a 1/4" aluminum one? I am in desperate need of some serious armour.

sandchris · 10-20-2009, 10:39 PM

This might be a dumb question but what would happen if you put the plastic ones over or I should say under the aluminum ones?You know use the plastic to protect the aluminum.

Needspeed · 10-21-2009, 08:38 AM

I like your idea Sandchris. my plastic ones look a little haggered. so I might as well let them protect the steel ones when I install them.

Darryl89 · 10-21-2009, 08:57 AM

I talked with quite a few competitors at the W.E.Rock Nat'l Championships a couple of weekends ago and most of them use steel since it allows them to slide over the obstacle, whereas plastic and aluminum hangs up (aluminum may not deform and hang as bad as on the heavier rock crawler rigs).

But if you are going to use plastic, use UHMW plastic sheets. It's a lot tougher. You can order your own sheets and cut it with a circular saw or jigsaw. About $300 shipped for a 4ft by 8ft, .375in thick sheet.

UHMW - UHMW Sheet, Rod & Tubes - Order Online

sandchris · 10-21-2009, 09:14 AM

I wonder how much a sheet of Teflon is? That stuff is super slippery. Might even make you a little faster over the rocks. LOL

Darryl89 · 10-21-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandchris

I wonder how much a sheet of Teflon is? That stuff is super slippery. Might even make you a little faster over the rocks. LOL

UMHW actually out performs teflon sheets. Check out this link...
http://www.crownplastics.com/Teflon-UHMW.htm

"UHMW has a coefficient of friction that rivals Teflon but will outperform PTFE in abrasion resistance by a ratio of 30 to 1. In addition, UHMW is only about 1/3 the cost of Teflon thereby giving UHMW the nickname "the poor man's Teflon"."