4x4 / Off-Road TechThis section contains all discussion related to taking the FJ Cruiser in Off-Road situations, 4x4 applications and any armor modifications.
a vote from me to add Rasta 4x4 plates also...they are a supporting vendor after all!!
I've got my eye on aluminium plates 'cause all my driving is sand, not rocks - the plates are for protection and 'snag reducers' when I pancake on dune crests.
I can understand the comments earlier re aluminium on rock crawling
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We are the pilgrims master,
We shall go always a little further.
All of these skid plates don't seem to have any supporting I-beam structures built into them, which makes me think they will buckle (even the 3/16" steel ones) when the full weight of the vehicle is on them.
Anybody have some real experience with how they survive when getting a good pounding? I'm favoring the Bud-builts right now...
All of these skid plates don't seem to have any supporting I-beam structures built into them, which makes me think they will buckle (even the 3/16" steel ones) when the full weight of the vehicle is on them.
Anybody have some real experience with how they survive when getting a good pounding? I'm favoring the Bud-builts right now...
Budbuilt has been making skids for years and they are WELL known for making Toyota skid plates. When i feel i need to upgrade my skid plates, this is the route i will take.
But yes, i agree that running simple channels down the plates would offer much greater strength. I don't know why any manufacturer doesn't add this.
All of these skid plates don't seem to have any supporting I-beam structures built into them, which makes me think they will buckle (even the 3/16" steel ones) when the full weight of the vehicle is on them.
Anybody have some real experience with how they survive when getting a good pounding? I'm favoring the Bud-builts right now...
Correct, mostly because the exhaust crossover is in the way. The front section ( under the transmission ) "usually" doesn't bear the whole weight of the truck, but behind the trans ( about the middle of the truck) is where breakover angle issues can be and the trucks sit on them all the time. That is why we have the extra .250" wall DOM tubing crossmember in there. It will and does take the weight of the truck, but they can bend there too. If you look at the Toyota Trail Teams trucks, you can see some skids that have been abused for 2 years on 2 different trucks and still work just fine. Some guys have bent them, and removed them for straightening, then reinstalled. Everything will bend eventually. Talk to a 300 ton press!
If you have the exhaust re routed, we add 2 bends and a higher crossmember to take advantage of the extra space up there.
Bud
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Bud Rosenberger
Official Skidplate Supplier to the FJ Cruiser Trail Teams for 2007 AND 2008! http://www.budbuilt.com
Lenoir, NC
828-572-1202
mine will be getting their first offroad excursion for real next weekend up near Culhowee...on our NORTH MEETS SOUTH expedition. Can you make it Bud? Joint expedition between Upstate Cruisers and Old North State Cruisers.
__________________ I have a high art, I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me.- Archilochus, 650BC
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she's a Brick.......House
08 FJC, Brick, Auto, Nitto Terra Grapplers (295), ATrac, Locker, Budbuilt skids and sliders, ToyTec 3" OME lift, Warn rear bumper with Lucrum Swingout Tire kit.
84 FJ-60, blue, body lift, BFG AT on oem steelies, Warn Hubs, mostly original
How much space/clearance do you lose with the crossmembers when using the stock exhaust routing?, or, how much further below the exhaust crossover is the bottom of the skid plate at that point?
Also, what is the ARB filler plate...where does it go?
Lastly, when will your rear diff skid be available? No sense having a nicely protected FJ with a crunched diff!
Last edited by bcostello : 10-18-2008 at 08:12 AM.
Bud will your rear diff skid also protect the e-locker or is that your next project?
__________________ I have a high art, I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me.- Archilochus, 650BC
------
she's a Brick.......House
08 FJC, Brick, Auto, Nitto Terra Grapplers (295), ATrac, Locker, Budbuilt skids and sliders, ToyTec 3" OME lift, Warn rear bumper with Lucrum Swingout Tire kit.
84 FJ-60, blue, body lift, BFG AT on oem steelies, Warn Hubs, mostly original
How much space/clearance do you lose with the crossmembers when using the stock exhaust routing?, or, how much further below the exhaust crossover is the bottom of the skid plate at that point?
Also, what is the ARB filler plate...where does it go?
Lastly, when will your rear diff skid be available? No sense having a nicely protected FJ with a crunched diff!
Well, if you reroute that stock exhaust, you can gain 1.5" at our crossmember and almost 1" at the factory crossmember.
Our skid sits with 1/4" clearance under the crossover pipe. Actually less than 3 competitors skids and I have no idea what to say about the one that leaves the exhaust exposed!
ARB bumpers are 3/16" steel but they have a little filler piece that connects their bumper to the front of ( anybody's ) front skid. It is only thin sheet metal, so we made one of 3/16" to match the bumper and our skids.
Working on the diff skid still, but should be perfect soon.
And sorry Brock, gonna be celebrating our 28th wedding anniversary next weekend too so no wheeling for me.
__________________
Bud Rosenberger
Official Skidplate Supplier to the FJ Cruiser Trail Teams for 2007 AND 2008! http://www.budbuilt.com
Lenoir, NC
828-572-1202
Boss
The front section ( under the transmission ) "usually" doesn't bear the whole weight of the truck, but behind the trans ( about the middle of the truck) is where breakover angle issues can be and the trucks sit on them all the time. That is why we have the extra .250" wall DOM tubing crossmember in there. It will and does take the weight of the truck, but they can bend there too. If you look at the Toyota Trail Teams trucks, you can see some skids that have been abused for 2 years on 2 different trucks and still work just fine. Some guys have bent them, and removed them for straightening, then reinstalled. Everything will bend eventually. Talk to a 300 ton press! 
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