Custom Made Skid Plate, Input, Ideas, and Help needed ?

[4Hummer]

ell I posted this on "another" board but havent gotten a response yet

I have fabbed up the starts to a new skid plate,  and need suggestions, and idea's to complete the rest. 



Well here is the old one. to start
As you can tell I BEAT the poop outta this one and had to build something better




Here it is in the raw format.  un-painted.  Notice the 4 Speed holes,  I used the top two and welding a tab onto the inside of the hole (Just a piece of flat stock) and using the existing holes in the front frame with some 3" bolts.
The bottom uses the stock mounting locations





I still havent mounted the lower bar to the grill guard.  Yet.


This is phase #1,  I need to tweak the design a bit.

[4Hummer]

When Im finished it will look more like this.  I SUCK at photoshop

I still need to fab these side pieces up and cut holes in for the recovery points and shackels.   <<< Here is the problem.  any ideas ? Or just cut a big hole.



Any other Ideas or input.     Even input for the speed holes would help

Oh BTW the grille is stainless gutter guard, The stuff you put into your eavstrough to keep the leaves out. total cost was $12.00 and some fun with a dremel.

[4Hummer]

In this Pic I highlighted the recovery points on the front of the 4RUnner (Passenger side isnt attached right now.



I need access to these points to attach Shackels, straps and winch lines. 

Is it Safe to put a block between the hook and frame to drop it down enough to just "poke" outta the skid plate ? 

Ideas ? Suggestions ? Comments ?

[germ]

If it were mine, I'd scrap the stock bumper and grill guard, and build a solid set-up that included a winch mount and better attachment points. You could also build in some storage bins in the unused space. or maybe light mounts that are recessed some. Would be alot more work, but I think the final product would make you happier.

If your going to stay with the design you have, make sure and reinforce it so you don't end up having to make another one too quickly.

Just my  . Keep it up...looks like a good project.

Erik 

[mudaddict]

is the push bar to weak to hook somethign up onto?? do your design but with a acess hole in it so you can get to the hooks

[mr4x42u]

one peoblem,,,IFS

[4Hummer]

The Stock push bar is CRAP and cannot be used as a tow point.   

I will be building a Tube bumper one of these days, But FIRST I need to finish the Tube rear bumper and sliders.

I tested out the new skid plate the other day and it HELD up great.  I even dropped it on a rail way tie with my Hi-lift. She's pretty THICK and strong.

SAS will happen on of these days,  When I blow the IFS to ..  For now Im going to put in some ball joint spacers, and crank the T-Bars this should stress out the front CV-Shafts pretty good. Ill  Team that up with cruiser coils in the rear.

With the Ball Joint spacers and Cranked T-Bars I will be blowing the CV-SHafts Left right and center, and I can justify to the wife why I NEED to go solid Axel..... But that wont be till this winter or so.

[4Hummer]

Okay Here is what I have come up with.  the Center piece is working out GREAT I tested it out on some rocks and some hills, and dropped it on a railway tie with a hi-lift jack.

So now to finish fabbing up the rest.


This is what I've decided on,   I think...... 



The Recovery point however is JUST a little Short, I wont be able to get a shackel threw it,  A hook yes but thats a big No No



Taking a closer look at this recovery point, I think I'm just going to get two new ones made just an 1" longer.


Heres a pic of the rear section


WHATDA think ?

[mr4x42u]

looks good,,,so your running the shackle thourgh the skid plate correct..

[4Hummer]

looks good,,,so your running the shackle thourgh the skid plate correct..

That is correct.   I am going to get two new recovery points made just 1" Longer than the stockers. that way I can attach  shackle's