Alabama thread!

I was a senior in HS back when the blizzard hit and yeah, I'm with you. Bring on another shut-down-the-city blizzard of 2020!

 

i have seen several aluminum skids break apart at the welds. On steel the weld is the strongest part but aluminum it is the weakest.
The way I look at it you put skids on to protect your truck and steel will always do that better than aluminum unless you put some crazy thick and braced aluminum skids on. If I were to consider aluminum over steel, skids would not be a place I would do that. You install them thinking there is a possibility you may hit something so with that in mind I will always go steel.

 

RCI aluminum skids have been very solid for me so far. They actually are all mostly bends and not welds because of the precise machine process they have there. Only a couple of welds on the skid and non are in major areas. Thats one reason i went with them. If i went with steel skids i would not be happy because it would be way too much weight for the truck. Aluminum skids are are about 4 times better than stock skids so im fine with that and keeps the weight where i want it. More of an extra barrier for me than actual needed protection. Now my sliders are steel lol.

 

I get finding weight savings other places. Everything i have on my truck now is there because it is very functional for me. But i could see where others could justify it. I just dent see a need for steel skids that would not be used to the extent that i would need steel. Thats why i said until i need steel lol. Now if i had a v6 and was rock crawling and going on red trails all the time then yes it would be worth it for me. But that just not the goal of my build haha. Im actually about to get a hybrid bumper to cut about 50-60lb of my front bumper weight so one could say i could replace it with steel skids but financially and functionally wouldn't be worth it for me.

I would say if skid protection is high priority for you and weight is not an issue i would say yes go for steel! Its stronger all around and and not to mention lighter on the pocket book!

 

Thats why i said until i need steel

 

If you plan on going to off-road parks in the southeast and doing anything past green trails/access roads, stick with steel. If you want to just cruise and stay on the greens, go with aluminum if you want to save weight.

There is no wrong answer obviously, and it’s good that you are building your truck for what you expect to do. Many people on here have steel skids and sliders, yet their trucks will never see the rocks.

 

I faced a tough medical situation a few years ago and it's definitely scary. Keep us posted and hang in there.

 

A lot of people run aluminum but for me I bang around on mine all the time in gotta have steel. I think Tyler has replaced his aluminum ones twice because the welds broke. I use my sliders and bumpers to push against trees to slide me around them so I need steel. I'm in no way saying what you have isn't best for you, only you know what you need.

 

I have had two different skids of mine replaced, but both were missing welds from the manufacturer and were replaced without charge. One broke during installation and the other broke after the first wheeling trip.

The ones I have now are holding up nicely. I really believe that 99% of people can get by with aluminum.....except @TheTacoma that guy needs 4" AR500 armor plating for skids.

 

I'm sure most people would be fine but no way I can run them.

 

After the drop we took at Hawks Pride, definitely glad I have steel. After the carnage at Hale Mountain, I still need to throw a torch on them to flatten them back out.

 

I want 1/4 reinforced lol

 

Wonder if theirs gonna be any good tax time sales coming up? Not that I really have money, but the thought has crossed my mind

 

Haven’t forgot about you @cubie planning to look for the key tomorrow.

 

Awesome, thanks brotha!

 

Mornin' Bama! Finally, the rain is moving out!

 

So @Crikeymike is just chopped liver. Did you not see his pay shipping only sale that was on yesterday?

 

I'm glad I got in on the 100% off sale he just had. Thanks @Crikeymike!

 

And the rain is back again...

 

Lol yes he is chopped liver, I need sliders not an awning