DIY Armor

I've got a 4x8x3/16ish sheet of AL. I know that 3/16 isn't all that heavy but I 'm not a hardcore OR guy. MY DCLB OR is in stock form other than some after market wheels and 265/70/17 AT3's. Someday if I do a lift it will be fairly mild. But for now, I think for what I will be doing with my daily driver is adding some sliders and some armor will be just fine. So hoping to try and save some money I'm thinking I could build some extra protection myself using my sheet of AL. I'm guessing that some mid plates would be the easiest to build. Any input on this is appreciated...

Cheers.

 

You can make an IFS and Mid skid easily, if you have a way to bend and weld that AL.

You can attach the front to the lower crash bar, and the back to the cross member just in front of the exhaust crossover. Then add a couple supports in the middle (using existing frame holes) and weld some 1/4x1/4x1" angle down the sides for strength.

 

I'm brainstorming this exact thing but out of 3/16" steel plate. Pop a hole in the bottom to access the oil pan drain and i'll be GTG!

 

I did mine with 1/4" steel. You can bend it, but it takes doing.

 

You'd suggest 1/4" ?

 

Thought I could double it up too.

 

For steel yes. I have mobtown steel skids and they are 3/16. Only a 16th off from 1/4. I tell u I'm glad I went steel and his plates. I beat the piss out of them.

 

Yes.

When you look at the weight difference it's not much (unless you're building a race truck), but the amount of abuse it will take before bending is substantially higher. Same with cost.

I'm doing a set now for a buddy's 4Runner, one peice IFS and Mid skid.

 

Unless you beating the piss out of your truck on rocks, one peice of 3/16ths Aluminum is probably fine.

If I were building a desert/expo rig that's probably what I'd do, just to save some weight for other goodies.

The problem with AL is that it gouges and tears, steel won't do that (in the weight class we're talking about).

 

Perhaps if you aimed the tires at the rocks and not the skids..... Lol.

 

Ask @Arcticelf I did just that. My problem was I was a sagging MOFO. Nothing I could do. Only thing was turn it into a mall crawler fir a few months. Not now. Hehe

 

I understand this. But I will only be going out few times/year and not on much rock crawling. Just want some extra for that rogue rock that pops up or I slip off of.

 

AL is, IMO, perfect for that application.

 

You were riding about 2" below stock ride height, I'm impressed you made it onto the trail....

 

But the steel saved everything under there. Thank god I had those. But hey I think it was the spotter that got me through the ruff stuff.

 

Steel plates make up for alot, as does good spotting.

You up for a trip in October?

 

Heck ya. Are u coming to the AOAA at the end of September?

 

Yup, I'll be there.

 

Awesome. I have the seal things to give u back. It worked great.

 

Excellent.