Western Off Topic
08-09-2012, 08:36 PM
#4771
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Re: Western Off Topic
1/4" steel would be really heavy and over kill. You should look into 1/8" or 3/16" chro-moly. It is stronger and lighter than plain steel. It will cost a little more, but the weight savings and strength will be worth it.
08-10-2012, 05:09 AM
#4772
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Re: Western Off Topic
I'm not sure if it would be a bad idea to suggest this or not, but I think perforating the skid plate may help with weight savings and to allow things to breathe under there.
08-10-2012, 09:01 PM
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Re: Western Off Topic
Yeah, they dont make them for my car, as far as i know. But i wasn't thinking of a huge plate, just kind of reinforcement and something to hit/slide on aside from the important stuff. I really need to find a picture of the underside of my car...dammit, i should've done it when it was getting aligned.
08-11-2012, 03:21 AM
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Re: Western Off Topic
A pic would definitely help.
1/8" isn't going to provide much protection(and that one pictured above for the Z looks to be the same-more of an undertray than skid plate)at all.If you hit something hard enough that it would have damaged the car,it would destroy 1/8"-3/16" steel.1/4" would be the minimum I'd use,but you've got to remember that as Adam said it adds weight(not that you're worried about going fast,and at least that weight will be as low as possible),and the thicker material you use,it's that much closer to the ground and easier to drag.
I'd make "ramps" that'll ease the transition up onto and protect vital parts out of 1/4"(or even 5/16"-3/8")and make those skids as small as possible to save weight-not a whole plate under the entire drivetrain.You could then use 1/8" steel to make an actual undertray thing and tie the skid shield(s) together,but it's really not necesary.
1/8" isn't going to provide much protection(and that one pictured above for the Z looks to be the same-more of an undertray than skid plate)at all.If you hit something hard enough that it would have damaged the car,it would destroy 1/8"-3/16" steel.1/4" would be the minimum I'd use,but you've got to remember that as Adam said it adds weight(not that you're worried about going fast,and at least that weight will be as low as possible),and the thicker material you use,it's that much closer to the ground and easier to drag.
I'd make "ramps" that'll ease the transition up onto and protect vital parts out of 1/4"(or even 5/16"-3/8")and make those skids as small as possible to save weight-not a whole plate under the entire drivetrain.You could then use 1/8" steel to make an actual undertray thing and tie the skid shield(s) together,but it's really not necesary.
Last edited by TNGChris; 08-11-2012 at 03:24 AM.
08-11-2012, 10:09 AM
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