Birty Dastards Jeep Club
Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: Steve B on December 31, 2007, 12:35:00 PM
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Hi,
I mentioned in a post a while ago I was making my own transfer skid, well santa brought me a Tom Woods driveshaft and Fixed yoke adaptor which has enabled me to finish this project.
The skid is in 2 parts, the main skid which is 5mm steel and the spacer/strengthener is 10mm. I have bolted the 2 together with s/steel 10mm button heads as I was not sure if this combination would be strong enough. I may up the thickness of the spacer to 15mm if it seems too weak. Then it will get welded.
The total weight is just under 25kg, this is 5kg heavier than the std skid. But I now have 500mm of ground clearance in 3.5" spring lift and 35" tyres.
The 4wd selector linkage adaptor is having a redesign and the exhaust has a flexi section which allows it to fit but other mods are needed to the hangers further down the exhaust.
The standard gearbox mount was used and 2 washers were added to the underside to accomodate the new gearbox angle of 2.5 degrees.
Other mods which are needed to make this all work are a 1" body lift, 1" motor lift and adjustable upper control arms.
Steve
(http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/userpix/508_finished_skid_0051_1.jpg)
(http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/userpix/508_finished_skid_0081_1.jpg)
(http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/userpix/508_skid_under_1.jpg)
(http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/userpix/508_skid_side_1.jpg)
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hmmmmmmm.............interesting, what about strength?
peter henry
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hmmmmmmm.............interesting, what about strength?
the stock skid plate gets it strength from the shapes pressed into it and will be much stronger than 2 flat plates
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It is strong, if there is a need to strengthen it then I will but at the moment, what is the worst that can happen? it is not going to fall off!!!
Maybe some small angle iron welded for bracing?
I have taken this from the american forums who off road it with no problems.
Steve
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hmmmmmmm.............interesting, what about strength?
the stock skid plate gets it strength from the shapes pressed into it and will be much stronger than 2 flat plates
but this is the problem with the stock skid, it hangs far too low after the strengthening has bee folded/pressed into it.
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Maybe some dimple die holes?
How thick can you dimple die holes?
Warthog?
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just weld some angle iron the upper side for additional bracing, quick simple
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you wont bend it mate cos it will have to pull the chassis rails in for it to bend
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bet you i could bend it........
peter henry
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Being 5mm I'd be very surprised if it was not strong enough. It may flex a little though.
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i had a nice bit of stainless steel from my old job 5mm thick and an 8' by 4' sheet. just had no way to get it home when i left. plus it would have been a barsteward to work with
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I think it would be fine for my style of driving, but I am going to remove it and weld some small angle iron accross where I can as the questions about strength are valid points.
I can confirm that it does flex a little and it has about 2mm sag with the weight sitting on it.
Over all I am really pleased with the final result as I have increased the ground clearance massively with only a small rise in c.o.g
Also I need to cut out a part for the front drive shaft as on full flex may touch the skid.
Steve
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Maybe some dimple die holes?
How thick can you dimple die holes?
Warthog?
Depends how big your press is? The Die can be made to suit any size and material.
The Dimple die is making more efficient use of the material around the hole thus going some way to replacing the material taken out and not leaving you with a floppy cheese grater
Dimple Dies in effect Stiffen the material, but do not neccesarily Strengthen it. However the material has shed some wieght, thats where the advantage is........... :)
IMHO, 5mm plate secured across the chassis like you have done, would create a pretty good rigid strong belly plate. Someflex cant be a bad thing anyway........
Maybe a couple of lengths of 3-4mm flat plate diagonally welded on the plate would suffice? If you are concerned with rigidity?
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i like it....it's sorta like the one that's sold thr Nth degree offroad products here in the states, we call it a tummy tuck. it should work out fine for you, as mentioned in a previous post, it will have to be ripped from the frame rails......not too likely, unless you plan to get hi centered on superman's fortress of solitude
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I think you will find it real nice. I have been following guys with the stock skidders that got hung up on stuff that I just drove right over.
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Today I fitted the transfer case linkage relocator.
It set up quite easily and is now completely mounted to the gearbox and has a real positive feel rather than the vague is it or isn't it in feel.
I also cut a space to allow for the front driveshaft droop as it was rather close.
Upon refitting the skid today one on the stainless 1/2 13 tpi bolts stripped itself!!!! cheap bolt from ebay. I had a sort through my spares and found the old torx bolts from my front bumper which were perfect. I only have 4 though and need 6. If anyone has 2 of these which they no longer use I would be grateful if I could buy them. thanks. Steve
(http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/userpix/508_GetAttachment_1.jpg)
(http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/userpix/508_resize1_1.jpg)
(http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/userpix/508_resize2_1.jpg)
(http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/userpix/508_resize3_1.jpg)
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that looks a nice bit of kit mate. thanks also for the write up 8-)
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Thanks Greggmo,
If anyone is interested in making any of this stuff for themselves then I will only be too happy to forward on any drawings and measurements.
Steve
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Nice job mate 8-)
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Good job, it'll be strong enough, looks a lot neater than some of the mega-bucks ones.