So, I am starting metal work and a have come into a large flat sheet of 12 gauge steel. So I am thinking of putting together some undies for my TJ, she is currently naked bar the factory skids. I should have enough to knock up a full set of under armour out of the 12 gauge. My questions are where to mount it and what shapes are best. So if you love your undies, take a picture of it and write brief explanation on how they mount.
couple of things here (besides the obvious). Do you have any idea what that is going to weigh? How hard that will be to remove for trail repairs? The amount of mud and debris that will accumulate? Can't see any advantages other than running over IED's
Yep, looking at something very similar to the river raider system in that web site, just for a TJ. Weight, will not be too heavy,I am making a skid plate though, so it won't be light duty...
The whole point was to get ideas on mounting points, so that it will be easy to remove for trail repairs. So I take it you're advocating for thinner steel, I have access to a similar size sheet of 17 gauge, that is closer to 1.5 mm thick. Rather than the 12 gauge.
Also, please humour me, what are the obvious couple of things?
Thanks
12 gauge is less than 1/8" thick which will take some ribbing or rolled/welded edges if expected to hold up to rocks for a span of very much. I wouldn't even consider 17 gauge (less than 1/16") for use as a skid. My skid Row Engine skid is 3/16".
I wasn't really advocating for thinner steel, I just can't really see the advantages to adding more skid plates than already come on or can be bought for say steering box or rear ends. Full skid plates to me would be a waste of time and money, not to mention the hassle of removing to get to a u joint say.
As far as the obvious......my jeep has skid marks underneath and no undies.
as mentioned, 12 gauge is less than 1/8" and largely useless for anything underneath.
The normal choices for skids are 1/4" steel or 6061-T6 aluminum for belly & engine skids, and 3/16" steel or 6061-T6 aluminum for gas tank skids.
Also, both belly skids and gas tank skids are quite complicated to build. The skid itself really isn't the hard part, it's the reinforcement that gives it strength, and the clearance issues you have to deal with that compound the fabrication.
Okay, so having a 12 gauge engine/ belly skid, which was the plan, is just going to add weight to the vehicle, surely, it would provide some benefit??
I have a computer program to help with the design of the piece and, as I said I am learning metal work in middle age. I did think this would be a good place to start.
I appreciate that lots of skids are on the market, however, add freight down under and you can double or even triple the cost of $150.00 skid. With home grown companies slowly starting to import these they are also charging massive levies on the bigger heavier parts. Hence thinking of making one myself.
Thank you all for the advice, I think I will still go ahead and give it a bash, I might end up just bending metal and practicing my welding skills, it won't be a loss.
I'm all for the DIY approach, in fact I've built a lot of stuff on my Jeep...but just adding weight for the sake of adding weight isn't a good plan....
if you're looking to build functional skid plates, they need to be able to support more than the weight of the Jeep so you can get high centered or even land on them. They are supposed to protect your oil pan, transmission, t-case, etc from damage.
I recently helped a buddy straighten his badly bent up Rokmen skid...it's 1/4" plate steel. The skid bent so much it pushed the t-case upwards into the tub floor. Had the skid been 12 gauge there would have been serious damage and he likely wouldn't have to gotten off the trail....
I like that you want to build stuff, just trying to help you not waste your time or make something that isn't going to work.
A good project for 12 & 17 gauge would be a tool box, gear box or something like that for your garage and/or rear cargo area. Another idea is a trailer....I really wish I would have had access to a sheet metal brake and shear when I was building my camping trailer tub.
Sure, thank you for the advice, As you say, adding weight for no benefit is just pointless. I will have to look at some other projects for the steel.
I don't have space for another trailer, the Hobie 14 and the wife's car are in the way. A good size tool box, would be a good way to go.
Even if I can get hold of 1/4" sheet, it's going be too much for me to work with my tools and experience.
Thank you for the input,
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