I finally got a chance to do a mod. I've got plenty of stuff waiting to go in, I just haven't been able to get the time!

I can finally scratch one off the list!! Now I can finally test fit my skid and belly pan before sending them off to the powder coater!

 

Dude, that is freakin cool! I need something like that because after I installed headers, the crossover pipe now runs dangerously under the tranny bellhousing. If I hit the wrong rock, it will smash the pipe.

This looks like something that work perfect (for a 3rd gen of course )

Sweet!

 

Bud isn't making them for the 3G yet. It gives a lot more clearance, although the bellpan and skid hang a little below the lo-pro crossmember. All I'll be missing is a gas tank skid.

I took pics of the process, so I'll be able to do a writeup! It was easy!!

 

Nice Cebby. I keep looking under mine all I see is a big plow under there...with some dents.

 

personally, i wouldnt shell out the cash to have it powder coated because it will all get scratched off anyway.

 

Nope. Just a liberal amount of epoxy appliance paint. Quite durable and easy to repair if need be.

 

I agree. I justed primed and painted mine with rattle cans. It's a skidplate!!

 

I have a buddy who will powder coat it "as a favor" since I have to get some other stuff run for a project. I'll rattle can it for upkeep though...

 

nice! ive been looking at one of those. do you mind letting us know the cost for the whole setup?

 

Goatboy - I tallied it when I purchased it - a good 8 months ago. With steel prices these days, it is likely a fair amount more. Plus I got a break since I was the guinea pig and it took a while for Bud to knock it out. I'll have to dig up the old thread.

I test fitted the skidplate and belly pan last night (OK, I just held them up to where the mounting holes are) and it looks like it should fit just fine. Off to PC today!!

 

What exactly was the reason for that new crossmember? j/c

 

High clearance. If you look at the standard 2G crossmember, it hangs down a good 2-3 inches. It's quite the "plow" as Steve so accurately said. I'll measure the one that came off and post it.

 

The stock one is about 2-3 inches thick and on top of that hangs down pretty low. By going with a thinner one you'll gain 2-3 inches. The 3rd gens aren't nearly as bad.

 

hmmmm.... i might have to look into one of these. so no idea on the price then? when will the other pics be up?

 

Check them out at http://budbuilt.com/new/index.html. He has pricing on his website for the crossmember, but you may have to email or call him for pricing on the newer skidplates/belly pans.

When I bought dual t-case crossmember I had to call a couple of times to get hold of him. Sometimes he is out in his shop and can't hear the phone ringing. Bud's a super nice guy with some great products.

 

October 2003 Pricing. Crossmember was $249, Skidplate and Bellypan was $429 = $678 + shippping. I got mine for less than that since I was the first and it took about 4 months of R&D/fabricating.

They come to you in raw steel also, so they need to get cleaned up and painted. My crossmember in the pic at the top of this thread has been powdercoated "chassis black".

 

I'll echo the "Bud is a good guy" comments, he's right up there with guys like Marlin.

Here's a pic of mine shortly after I installed it a year ago, those extra few inches of clearance are wonderful. I'm currently mulling over chopping up the cab floor and raising the tranny a little more, this one pulls it up 5/8" on top of the low profile clearance of the design which is about as far as you can go without cutting or a body lift. Not sure why I'm thinking of doing that tho', I can't think of any occasion that I've had problems with clearance since installing it. Just for the heck of it I guess...

 

Kev,

I didn't get to the powder coater today, but am going tomorrow. The skids are in the back of the 4Runner and are naked!

I'll probaby have them on by next week. I've got to do the relocated oil filter - the skid weighs a good bit.

Look for pics sometime next week.

 

Shane - where's your front driveshaft? Was that when you were 2 wheelin'?

 

I've been thinking the same thing. I'm running 32"s and no lift, so all the extra clearance I can get makes a difference. I'm thinking about getting a BudBuilt with some drivetrain lift built in, and cutting the tranny tunnel out of the cab. I should have done this to start with. Oh well, maybe I'll be selling a used crossmember in the future.