4x4 / Off-Road TechThis section contains all discussion related to taking the FJ Cruiser in Off-Road situations, 4x4 applications and any armor modifications.
What type of metal and how would one recommend having it cut/fit to create your own, supplemental skid plates? The stock ones I'm starting to rip apart already.
I built my own sliders, air dam support, bumpers are next. When it came to skids, I went with Bud Built. I thought about making my own, but once I took a look at how the Buds are built I decided to buy rather than fabricate.
My best advice would be to hook up with someone that has a set of aftermarket skids and see all that is involved.
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If you can fabricate, a angle grinder and welder are all you need. I bought the front skid from all pro and would recomend buying the front, from either all pro, or bud built. For the rest, look at the skid comparison threads, then crawl under the fj and start figuring it out. I'm getting alot of ideas from all pro's transfer case skid and transmission skid, and bud's gas tank skid. I'm using 3/16 plate, and cutting using the cutoff wheel on a angle grinder.
If you are looking to have someone make them, just buy them, it'd be cheaper. If I paid myself $10 an hour it'd probably be cheaper to buy, but I like making stuff. I'll probably have $300 in materials for my rock sliders, tranny skid, transfer case skid, gas tank skid, lower control arm skids, and maybe rear shock guards.
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08' Sandstorm 6mt FJ blacked out with 3" OME lift, BFG m/t KM2's, All Pro front bumper and skid, smittybilt winch, homemade sliders, homemade skids, trail damaged rear bumper.
07' Kawasaki Ninja zx-6r
73' VW Thing
When it came to skids, I went with Bud Built. I thought about making my own, but once I took a look at how the Buds are built I decided to buy rather than fabricate.
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However, CROZHAWK made his own out of a very thick plastic and if I was starting over, I'd talk to him if you want to go that route. (PM him)
I have BudBuilt skids on my rig and have NEVER regretted it.
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there are at least a couple guys testing and modding HDUDPE (sp??) for plastic skid plates...so far so good on them and talks of selling them. Should be a little cheaper to make and ship but will be very very light so you can decide what is most important for you.
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08 FJC, Brick, Auto, Nitto Terra Grapplers (295), ATrac, Locker, Budbuilt skids and sliders, ToyTec 3" lift
84 FJ-60, blue, body lift, BFG AT on oem steelies, Warn Hubs, mostly original
DO IT!! As far as 'engineering' goes, design should be pretty easy. If it looks like a huge sheet of metal on the underside of your truck then it IS a huge sheet of metal on the underside of your truck!
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Something there is that doesn't love a wall, that wants it down...
Bud Built is easily the best, fits like a glove I used theirs as a blueprint.
I am using plastic for the gas tank that stuff seems like the ticket all out.
3\16 steel, torch and a drill. got extra stock to make more armor, started rock rails too.
there are at least a couple guys testing and modding HDUDPE (sp??) for plastic skid plates...so far so good on them and talks of selling them. Should be a little cheaper to make and ship but will be very very light so you can decide what is most important for you.
I like the idea of polyethylene skids as well. Here's the original thread:
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6 spd MT Voodoo Blue
Rear diff and e-locker scuba mod
CB w/ custom CB antenna mount on uppper rear door hinge
A-Trac switch installed
Custom tube bumper in the works...
" "The next best thing to playing and winning, is playing and losing"
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