Skid Plates
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Skid Plates
this is the only one i can find:
http://www.millersfabrication.com/skidplate.html
but its not worth $200 to me right now
http://www.millersfabrication.com/skidplate.html
but its not worth $200 to me right now
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
Skid Plates
Go to your local surplus steel yard, buy some plate, make a cardboard cut-out of how you want your skidplate to look, and then find a local guy with a plasma cutter. I've done them myself with both torches and sawzalls, but for guys without those tools finding a competent local guy is your next bet. Every town has some local guy who does stuff like this for cheap. You'll get exactly what you want and be into it for half the price of what you'd pay some company...even if they are made at all.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: on the creekbank in NC
Skid Plates
I agree completely with proeliator. Nothing like some homemade parts. Skid plates are a great place to start. You can pick up a carbon cutting wheel at any renting center to cut with. Then all you need is a vise and a drill. If you have a friend that works at a fab shop have them sut you some cool logos or something in it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Skid Plates
Most of the available "skid" plates are just that "skid" and not "bash" plates. If you end up with the whole weight of your truck on your gas tank "skid" plate it then becomes a "squished" plate. Even on a light truck like a BII.
I prefer to have mine home made out of 3/16 - 1/4 steel, which I doubt you can mail order because it weighs too much for a mail order item.
If you have them custom made I would suggest a small hole in a corner, where a stray branch will not do any damage, so you can clean mud or stuff off or where it will drain out by itself.
For attachment I think it is better for the bolt to be facing down then when the bolts face up into the frame. Sometimes they become caked with rust and mud and can be tough to get off for a fluid change when the nut is inside the frame because it can not be cleaned off.
I prefer to have mine home made out of 3/16 - 1/4 steel, which I doubt you can mail order because it weighs too much for a mail order item.
If you have them custom made I would suggest a small hole in a corner, where a stray branch will not do any damage, so you can clean mud or stuff off or where it will drain out by itself.
For attachment I think it is better for the bolt to be facing down then when the bolts face up into the frame. Sometimes they become caked with rust and mud and can be tough to get off for a fluid change when the nut is inside the frame because it can not be cleaned off.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,410
Likes: 1,015
From: Central KY
Skid Plates
Last time I checked, the cheapest skid plate for my truck was actually the Ford one. $180 at the dealer and bolts right up.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
From: MS.
Skid Plates
hey guys i own a small welding company,if you all can provide me with dimensions or templates i could make them for you and shipped them.just an idea never done any mail order stuff but i guess it would work like buying from ebay.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Central Utah
Skid Plates
I saw some nice ones for about 85.00 or so on the James Duff Bronco website. They were made for Ford 9" and Dana 44s so they should fit some of the Ford Trucks or could be altered easily.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Skid Plates
I'm with proeliator on this too... I made my own for a total of $80 for my Explorer...
http://community.webshots.com/album/37212214ZTmqfU
http://community.webshots.com/album/37212214ZTmqfU
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Skid Plates
I've parked my (overweight) Bronco on the t-case skid plate a few times (balanced it there on the edge of a cliff once), and I've even jacked up the back end by the gas tank skid plate, so I think it's plenty strong.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: The best is the U.S.
Skid Plates
For any of you guys that live nearby (i.e. Arkansas, Southern MO, or West TN) I will gladly get you plate steel dirt cheap, MANY choices on thickness. I am an electrician at a steel mill and one of our few remaining perks is the ability to buy steel at cost. For a small fee I will also cut them to your specifications. Oh yeah, we also roll diamond (deck) plate. If you want it shipped you will have to arrange that, otherwise we can meet somewhere on my way home. 
Skid Plates