New Skids on the Block

Welcome to another edition of "I'm a Cheap Bastard with a Welder!"

On today's episode, we'll be discussing how I converted a full set of thin-gauge ARB "skids" (Under Vehicle Protection) into a functional and beefy set of actual skid plates.

My 2nd Gen is almost 12 years old now. My first welding project over 10 years ago was to build a skid plate for the Taco. It was made as a single piece belly skid, using 3/16" plate. It is ugly, heavy, awkward, and a royal pain in the ass to install and remove....but it has served it's purpose well over the last 10 years.

Unfortunately, after a decade of abuse, it is now severely tweaked/dented/deformed and will no longer bolt-up properly; 2 of the bolt holes are now misaligned and 2 others had effectively stripped out the weld-nuts underneath. It will now be retired to the scrap pile and repurposed into other projects.

This was my old DIY skid when it fresh and nubile, and then after a few years on the job:





The ARB "Skids"

I scored a whole pallet load of ARB "scratch'n'dent" stuff at a local auction house. Included on the pallet was a full set of ARB Under Vehicle Protection (UVP) "skids" for the Tacoma. All said and done, my out of pocket cost for this whole project was <$100, including the skid plate set.

Anyone who has seen, or used, the ARB UVP "skids" knows they are not intended for (hard) use as actual skid plates due to the thin metal used (<1/8"). They are more of a glorified brush/pebble/grass deflector. Additionally, there are some things that chapped my ass when I was working on them - like no access hole for the oil drain plug. But, I do like the modular design to make it easier/less-cumbersome to install or remove.

I started scheming how I could reinforce them with some scrap metal (gussets, additional plates/angle iron/ribbing) to make them stronger and more durable than my previous 3/16" plate skids; if the 3/16" deformed/dented that much from impacts, then the <1/8" surely wouldn't last long without getting completely demolished.

Here's a side-by-side of my old skid next to the ARB set:


Here's a hasty phone sketch of what I had planned to reinforce them:


Basically, I just wanted to add a bunch of 3/16" plating on the bottom to thicken them up, add gussets and ribs at specific points, reinforce every bolt-up point and mating section, and cut a hole for the oil drain plug.

During my test-fit of the ARB set, I realized that they designed these to be used with the OEM front support braces up front (where the stock skid plate bolts up to). I had long since removed those when I installed my original skid plate. I would need to find different bolt points and weld some support legs on the ARB skid in place of the OEM braces.

Also, I quickly determined the 4th piece (the T-Case Skid) was just a shit design overall. Once installed, it would hang nearly 4" lower than the rest of the undercarriage and create a guaranteed hang-up spot to get stuck, high centered or just make for a bad day wheeling overall. I omitted that piece from my the plans entirely; I may eventually revisit installing it at some point or remake it into a better design.

***WELDING INFO.***​

For those interested, I run a Tweco 181i Fabricator with E71T-1C/1M .035 dual-shield wire. Settings between 22.5-23.5 volts and average 285-325 feed speed. Stargold (75/25) Gas.

I love dual-shield .035; it is very forgiving in multiple positions, produces low fumes and slag, it doesn't need a perfectly clean surface and will pretty much burn through anything (similar to 6010), great arc and puddle control, no fancy manipulation needed. You do have to run it high (>22v) and fast (280+); it lays down thick, and my travel speed always seems to be too slow - but it's a great wire for my truck projects that don't need to look pretty.

Reinforced ARB Skid(s)

Here's the first skid plate after I had added some additional 3/16" plates and gussets and new support legs to bolt it up. I repurposed the round tube legs from my old skid plate, mainly because I didn't have any thick walled scrap tubing and I didn't want to buy any metal.



Here's the full set after I got done reinforcing them:




Here's a "color-coded" pic to show what type and thickness of plate/steel was used in each section:

RED = 3/16" flat bar (flat plates and vertical gussets)
GREEN = 1/8" angle iron (welded on-top of the 3/16" plate)
BLUE = 1/8" square tube
YELLOW = 3/16" C-channel (I ran out of flat bar)
*All the 3/16" Flat-Plate and C-Channel sections were also drilled in the center and spot welded, then perimeter welded.

Testing fitting the whole set:


After a successful test-fit, I drilled a few drain holes in the front skid (so water wouldn't collect in the "pockets"), then I did a quick'n'dirty rattle-can primer and paint job on everything. I also added a fancy TEQ badge to replace of the ARB one I removed when welding on it.



I had a chance to test them out the following week on some different trails and OHV areas here in the PNW (Liberty, Manastash/Naches, and Evan's Creek). They held up really well and took some good impacts from rocks, boulders, logs, stumps, mud, etc. The Trans. Skid seemed to collect the most mud and debris, not sure why but could just be the sloppy trails we ran.


They did get a few minor dents (mainly cosmetic), but only in the (1/8") areas that I hadn't gusseted or reinforced and in a couple sections that I could get access to. I can't imagine what they'd look like without any reinforcement.






Weight Difference

Old Skid: 79.6 lbs (total)
New Skid(s): 110.2 lbs (total)
1. Front Skid - 45.2 lbs
2. Transfer Case Skid - 30 lbs
3. Transmission Skid - 35 lbs

Really pleased how they turned out and held up. We'll see how long they last and hopefully they'll outlive the previous skid.

Cheers to another successful drunken fab project completed on the cheap!

 

Awesome project man

 

Thanks!

 

This is rad.

 

I forgot to post the overall weight/comparison of the Old vs New skids.

Old Skid: 79.6 lbs (total)
New Skid(s): 110.2 lbs (total)
1. Front Skid - 45.2 lbs
2. Transfer Case Skid - 30 lbs
3. Transmission Skid - 35 lbs

 

WOW! Some guys actually DO things I dream of doing. Good for you.

 

Hahaha, thanks man! Sometimes my ideas are more effort than they are worth in the end.

But other times, with just the right amount of luck and beer, they turn out pretty awesome!