damage tolerance?

[NCFJ]

No, a strong cover plate won't replace them. They are there as a rack brace to keep the frame from paralelagraming. Triangulation is what they are there for. No skid plates that I am aware of out there would provide the bracing that they do. If anything more are required.

[BellyDoc]

That whole assembly is a rock magnet and deserves redesign.

[homedad]

NCFJ previously said:

No, a strong cover plate won't replace them. They are there as a rack brace to keep the frame from paralelagraming. Triangulation is what they are there for. No skid plates that I am aware of out there would provide the bracing that they do. If anything more are required.

The Man-A-Fre skids REQUIRE you to remove them.....I've never had them....

[BellyDoc]

NCFJ previously said:

No, a strong cover plate won't replace them. They are there as a rack brace to keep the frame from paralelagraming. Triangulation is what they are there for. No skid plates that I am aware of out there would provide the bracing that they do. If anything more are required.

I disagree with the part about them being for shear bracing (parallelogram support).

The crossmember they attach to is for the transmission support bracket, and it gets a torque that wants to drop it on one side and lift it on the other. The diagnoal braces are there to help resist twist.

This is NOT a strong crossmember in regard to it's ability to support the frame... notice how easily it crushes on rocks. It's NOT like the longitudinal frame members to the sides. The metal is thinner and it's fenestrated with multiple cutouts. It's held with 2 thin bolts at either end and stabilized with the crimp-ended tube diagonals.

Several crossmembers stabilize the frame into the rectangular configuration, most notable is the double-wide crossbar at the front suspension, the one over the rear axle with the panhard mount, and the one that forms the rear bumper.

[Haff]

If I had more skill and tools I think I would fab up a replacement set that were much stronger. I am surprised at how little it took to start denting these in.

[zombie 911]

mine got damage as I was throwing them in the trash!!

[layonnn]

BellyDoc previously said:

I disagree with the part about them being for shear bracing (parallelogram support).

The crossmember they attach to is for the transmission support bracket, and it gets a torque that wants to drop it on one side and lift it on the other. The diagnoal braces are there to help resist twist.

This is NOT a strong crossmember in regard to it's ability to support the frame... notice how easily it crushes on rocks. It's NOT like the longitudinal frame members to the sides. The metal is thinner and it's fenestrated with multiple cutouts. It's held with 2 thin bolts at either end and stabilized with the crimp-ended tube diagonals.

Several crossmembers stabilize the frame into the rectangular configuration, most notable is the double-wide crossbar at the front suspension, the one over the rear axle with the panhard mount, and the one that forms the rear bumper.

hmm, i am going to have to go look up fenestrated.

Bellydoc, i need to go check your build up page and see what you have updated...

[Mwhy]

BellyDoc previously said:

I disagree with the part about them being for shear bracing (parallelogram support).

The crossmember they attach to is for the transmission support bracket, and it gets a torque that wants to drop it on one side and lift it on the other. The diagnoal braces are there to help resist twist.

This is NOT a strong crossmember in regard to it's ability to support the frame... notice how easily it crushes on rocks. It's NOT like the longitudinal frame members to the sides. The metal is thinner and it's fenestrated with multiple cutouts. It's held with 2 thin bolts at either end and stabilized with the crimp-ended tube diagonals.

Several crossmembers stabilize the frame into the rectangular configuration, most notable is the double-wide crossbar at the front suspension, the one over the rear axle with the panhard mount, and the one that forms the rear bumper.

I'm curious on your opinion doc.....do you feel they are necessary with something like the MAF skids?

[BellyDoc]

I haven't looked at the MAF skids closely. Homedad has them, though. He'd have good input on that question.

If the skids actually bolt to that crossmember, then the shear strength they'd impart would be better than the angled tube pieces.