BudBuilt Skid Plate GROUP BUY!
Apr 22, 2006 | 05:38 PM
#262
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,318
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From: tulsa, OK
Originally Posted by bamachem
the FedEx man dropped off the belly pan today. that thing is STOUT! 
Apr 22, 2006 | 05:43 PM
#263
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Originally Posted by tulsa_97SR5
I don't think bud has ever heard of thin metal. When I ordered I chated with him for a while, he's in the middle of changing over to dana 60's. I guess he needs the beefier axles to support the extra weight from replacing all his body panels with 1/2" steel. His whole truck is a skid plate.
Apr 22, 2006 | 05:48 PM
#264
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: tulsa, OK
Originally Posted by garrett1478
did i read that right? 1/2"? thats ridiculous....
And, I forgot to mention Bud doesn't weld metal. He gives it a *look* and the metal pieces voluntarily become one.
Apr 22, 2006 | 06:19 PM
#265
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,875
Likes: 3
From: Longmont, CO
I had a bit of trouble getting my front skid to line up with the holes too. DO NOT ELONGATE THE COUNTERSUNK HOLES. Drill and tap new holes that line up with Bud's. (If you elongate the holes, the flat head bolt will not hold well at all)
I got my tranny crossmember and skid installed today. Went pretty smooth actually, and the protection is AWESOME. Unfortunately, I LOST about 1" of ground clearance
Thought I was supposed to GAIN an inch! 
At least it now has a smooth transition instead of being like a snowplow under there....
While I did have some install issues, I think some of that has to be expected with a 12yr old truck (it is still frustrating though). Bud's product and customer service is GREAT. I would happily do business with him again.
I got my tranny crossmember and skid installed today. Went pretty smooth actually, and the protection is AWESOME. Unfortunately, I LOST about 1" of ground clearance
Thought I was supposed to GAIN an inch! At least it now has a smooth transition instead of being like a snowplow under there....While I did have some install issues, I think some of that has to be expected with a 12yr old truck (it is still frustrating though). Bud's product and customer service is GREAT. I would happily do business with him again.
Last edited by tc; Apr 24, 2006 at 09:27 AM.
Apr 22, 2006 | 07:07 PM
#266
Originally Posted by tc
Unfortunately, I LOST about 1" of ground clearance Thought I was supposed to GAIN an inch! At least it now has a smooth transition instead of being like a snowplow under there....
Thought I was supposed to GAIN an inch! At least it now has a smooth transition instead of being like a snowplow under there....You should of easily gained about 1 1/4" from just the x-member....was it the transfer case skid plate that contributed to the loss?
Where did you measure before/after?
Apr 22, 2006 | 07:15 PM
#267
Originally Posted by tulsa_97SR5
I don't think bud has ever heard of thin metal.
I'd exchange dents for shedding weight anyday.
Apr 22, 2006 | 07:38 PM
#268
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 80
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From: colorado
[QUOTE=tc]I had a bit of trouble getting my front skid to line up with the holes too. DO NOT ELONGATE THE COUNTERSUNK HOLES. Drill and tap new holes that line up with Bud's. (If you elongate the holes, the flat head bolt will not hold well at all)
What if i were to elongate them and keep it countersunk, would that work??
What if i were to elongate them and keep it countersunk, would that work??
Apr 22, 2006 | 10:34 PM
#269
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 591
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From: Orange County, California
Originally Posted by rocket
lol thats the truth! I would actually prefer a 1/8" front skid plate versus 3/16".
I'd exchange dents for shedding weight anyday.
I'd exchange dents for shedding weight anyday.
Apr 22, 2006 | 10:36 PM
#270
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 591
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From: Orange County, California
Originally Posted by rocket
Thats really odd.
You should of easily gained about 1 1/4" from just the x-member....was it the transfer case skid plate that contributed to the loss?
Where did you measure before/after?
You should of easily gained about 1 1/4" from just the x-member....was it the transfer case skid plate that contributed to the loss?
Where did you measure before/after?
Yeah, what's up with that??
Apr 23, 2006 | 01:08 PM
#271
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 12
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From: Ohio
Well I need to take better pictures of the skid plate for you all but here is what I got. You can also look at my old factory skid plats that aren’t that bad but defiantly had seen better days.
Edit to add one more picture.
Edit to add one more picture.
Last edited by ohio03trdtaco; Apr 23, 2006 at 01:13 PM.
Apr 23, 2006 | 05:03 PM
#272
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,875
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From: Longmont, CO
Originally Posted by Digger33
What if i were to elongate them and keep it countersunk, would that work??
I was real glad they were down there today:
(I'll post pix of the measurements later - yes, it was the skid that made the difference - the crossmember is a bunch higher)
me! 
Apr 24, 2006 | 04:09 AM
#275
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: High Point NC
Originally Posted by garrett1478
sooo who else is impatiently waiting for their front skid? :cry: 
Bud's a great guy I have no doubt that it'll be here in plnety of time.
Apr 24, 2006 | 04:13 AM
#276
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why do you need it bolted on to drive down the interstate? all you need is to have it with you. installing it is a matter of taking off the old and putting on the new. need new holes? i'll have my drill. need something cut? i'll have my 4.5" grinder w/ cutoff wheels. need something welded? i'll have my hobart... just get them in-hand, concentrate on the exams, then worry about getting them on before trail-time AFTER you get to crawfords.
just get them in-hand, concentrate on the exams, then worry about getting them on before trail-time AFTER you get to crawfords.
Apr 24, 2006 | 04:31 AM
#277
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: High Point NC
Originally Posted by bamachem
why do you need it bolted on to drive down the interstate? all you need is to have it with you. installing it is a matter of taking off the old and putting on the new. need new holes? i'll have my drill. need something cut? i'll have my 4.5" grinder w/ cutoff wheels. need something welded? i'll have my hobart... just get them in-hand, concentrate on the exams, then worry about getting them on before trail-time AFTER you get to crawfords.
just get them in-hand, concentrate on the exams, then worry about getting them on before trail-time AFTER you get to crawfords.
Apr 24, 2006 | 09:31 AM
#280
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,875
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From: Longmont, CO
I just reread my posts and they don't accurately convey my opinion...
While I did have some install issues, I think some of that has to be expected with a 12yr old truck (it is still frustrating though), and Bud was of great help in resolving the issues.
Bud's product and customer service is GREAT. I would happily do business with him again - any ideas for rear diff protection?
While I did have some install issues, I think some of that has to be expected with a 12yr old truck (it is still frustrating though), and Bud was of great help in resolving the issues.
Bud's product and customer service is GREAT. I would happily do business with him again - any ideas for rear diff protection?
