88Cleve4runner

well the time has come for me to add some protection to my ifs. i plan on heading to windrock next weekend so i plan on making it next week seeing as i'll be studying for this huge test this week... Cal II.

i plan on making my own so if anybody out there can take down a few measurement of a budbuilt or an after market skid plate and send them or even a pic would be helpful. preferably from a 86-89 truck/4runner. i drive an 88 4runner.

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

I think instead of plagiarizing another companies skid plate design, it would suit you well to just design your own. Just go out and start making some measurements, and get some plate and start bending. That way you can design a skid suited for your needs, instead of a general piece that may or may not work well for you.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Calculus is kid's stuff...do it in my sleep...did a few times actually.

I agree with DC. If you are going to make your own start by doing your own homework, measuring and picture taking.

88Cleve4runner

thanks guys. i plan on making a template first so i can get a good idea of what i want

ericyota

What material do you plan on using?

88Cleve4runner

either 3/16 or 1/4 in steel. we have both at the shop.

tc

X2 - you want Bud's design and customer service, reward him for the good work with a Purchase Order.

You want to build your own, then build your own.

3/16" does get bent and tweaked, but still adds A LOT of weight. 1/4" will probably STILL get bent, and adds even more weight. I would recommend going 3/16" with stiffening ribs at least 1/2" angle - that will add a TON of strength without adding much weight.

You should also fab a crossmember (or buy the Sonoran Steel one) to have something to bolt to at the back of the IFS.

AxleIke

One, x eleventy billion on designing your own. Don't plagiarize.

I built my own.

3/16 plate, angle iron welded tent style. It's held quite well.

88Cleve4runner

ok i don't know jack about skids so could you explain the ribs and stuff?

[QUOTE=AxleIke;51072812]One, x eleventy billion on designing your own. Don't plagiarize.

I built my own.

3/16 plate, angle iron welded tent style. It's held quite well.

QUOTE]

i haven't gotten to look under it yet, i've been studying all week for a huge test i had friday, and i'll get to work on it this week and gusset my sliders.

but if i cna't find it monday... where do you bolt the skid into the ifs system underneath and at the back? i know where to up at the front

Thanks to the info from yall i think i'll go with 3/16 seeing as how there may not be much of a difference. thanks guys.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Flat skid plate with stiffening ribs spaced out to stiffen the plate from bending...higher strength/less weight.

This is just a pic I pulled off the net:

88Cleve4runner

thanks wab. i think i have a pretty decent idea of what i'm gonna have going on now. i'll be sure to get some pictures up when i'm done if yall want me to ha. should hopefully have it done by this week, it all depends on how busy school gets this week.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Problem I find most of the time is that what you draw on paper and plan out still doesn't work sometimes in reality.

88Cleve4runner

that happens to me all the time, so i kinda quit trying to draw it up haha. i'm going to study up on others as much as possible and make my full template and measure from it and the angles and hopefully, with fingers crossed, it may go smooth. i'm never hopeful though haha

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

A nice big piece of cardboard cut up for mock up always works good for me...but cardboard doesn't like to be tack welded.

Interested to see what you come up with after all that this thread has been through thus far.

88Cleve4runner

no no no, cardboard on truck + fire = bad day. yeah i figured i'd better not leave it hanging. but just a forwarning... school does come first, but hopefully i won't have a tough week like i've had for the past 3 or so. but i won't let it just tank out and fall into the abyss of unended threads.

tc

Yep - good pic for explanation Wabbitt.

Having the edges bent up and those extra ribs adds a TON of strength without adding much weight at all.

Generally, they bolt in the front into the stock holes. As I mentioned above, you need some sort of crossmember to attach it to in the back.

88Cleve4runner

ok i didn't know if that crossmember was needed to bolt it in or not, and i did look into it... and i believe i could condure something up that would suffice. i believe i kind of underestimated this skid build haha. ok i have an idea of how to use those ribs... but i'm not sure if i'm right or not. i've never seen a skid up close before and certainly not on that is made for off roading, so feel free to bash the newbie on this but just how do you mount the ribs? i can make them no problem, i have the materials i can use for it. i see the purpose and agree, get as much support as possible, but how do i put them on there? i appreciate all this helpful insight guys. you will be rewarded with pics of the product in the "near" future hopefully lol

tc

Seriously?

You weld them in there.

(obviously, you can bend the outer ones)

88Cleve4runner

alright cool i have the right idea then. i appreciate all of the wisdom guys. wish me luck on getting it started and finished this week. maybe school will be slightly mellow this week. i'm doubtful though haha

91 4Runner

For the crossmember try making an IFS brace.

http://www.sonoransteel.com/Early_IFS_Brace.html

or

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...talled-120552/
(Used more for the idea/other venders than the pictures)

This will give you a strong place to bolt to and also stiffen the rear of the IFS.
as for the angle being welded tent style - /\ (I know not a good representation, but hey keyboards are limites)