Shaved 14 bolt skidplate

[Fabrimacator21]

Not sure where I should post this but I have an idea for a 14 bolt skidplate. I'm thinking some 10 or 12 gauge AR 400 plate that would cover the pumpkin front and rear. Since it's not good to weld AR plate I'm thinking of welding a couple tabs to the front and rear of the pumpkin then bolting the skidplate to the tabs. Just wondering if anyone has done this or if there would be a demand for it. It would give you protection without sacrificing much clearence (1/8th or 1/16th).

12 gauge is roughly 1/16" but AR plate is what they use in dump truck beds and it's HARD. I've taken a 20 lb sledge to a piece of 12 gauge ar and all I got was a TING and no bend.

Mods feel free to move if this is the wrong forum.

 

[4X4HIGH]

The 14ff IS a skidplate.

 

[dremu]

The 14ff IS a skidplate.

Nah, it's a trench cutter

-- A

 

[thatK30guy]

Or a boat anchor.

 

[tRustyK5]

I gotta say about the only thing that might need a little protection on a 14 bolt would be the pinion/yoke area...and that isn't ideally suited to using thin AR plate.

I would consider it for skid plating though, under the tranny and T-case for example.

It is weldable BTW.

Rene

 

[Fabrimacator21]

Okay... I'm just thinking about leaking covers after it takes a pounding but it sounds like thats not a problem.

I know ar is weldable but it does like to crack... Bolting just seems like a better way to go for a few reasons.

 

[jimmy88]

The idea was not well received several years back when I showed them the one I made. After all these years I don't remember anyone busting a 14 bolt housing, so looks like they were right, it is unnecessary.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50424


Mine is still on, mostly because I've had no reason to take it off and it does protect the pinion a bit. If I ever do have to take it off, I'll probably just leave it off.

 

[Fabrimacator21]

After all these years I don't remember anyone busting a 14 bolt housing, so looks like they were right, it is unnecessary.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50424

Not worried about a busted housing... just a peeled back cover. Seems like it would help with getting stuck also.

 

[jimmy88]

Same arguments I made. The the consensus was to use a rock ring or heavy duty cover. I wound up making a heavy cover anyway because just a light tap on the stocker pushed it into the ring gear.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I drag my rear diff over rocks ALL the time, I used to have a problem with the stock cover peeling but have since gone to an aftermarket one (Crane) and haven't had a leak since.

Cut/grind the bottom of the diff so its smooth and the diff itself has decent clearance and is plenty strong, like this:

 

[doonjumper]

The 14ff IS a skidplate.

LMAO....true dat