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Testing Aluminum Skids CRD
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=12169		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  DarbyWalters [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Testing Aluminum Skids CRD
I will be cleaning up this thread a little to get a real idea of how many might be interested...so don't get mad :twisted:

Have been in contact with a company in Israel about some aluminum skids for the CRD. **Most will probably fit the 3.7L also...not sure about the tranny/transfercase skid...all one piece**

It will consist of an engine skid (might be two piece to cover up a little more of the front, a tranny/transfercase skid and a fuel tank skid.

They are 6mm thick which I believe is just a tad over 1/4 inch and attach with rubber isolators as far as I can tell. They want me do mount them up with pics, do a write up and any modifications needed for the 2.8L. After they are fit and tested, the importer has agreed to do a L.O.S.T. Members Discount for the first batch ordered. I have no idea of pricing yet. I should be getting them by Wednesday of next week and have them mounted by the weekend ( I hope ).

I decided to go the aluminum route to save weight (possibly preserve mpg :wink: ) over the heavy steel skids. This group builds them for the ruff country in the Middle East and they should be nice and light. The tranny/transfercase skid has an opening for the Oil Filter. I am going to see if that makes it more or less vulnearable. Might make a removeable cover for the opening if needed.

Pics and writeup to come.
Fuel
Image
Engine
Image
Tranny and Transfercase
Image

***Don't get too excited until we see if they fit properly***

UPDATE...

FUEL:
Image

ENGINE:
Image

TRANNY AND TRANSFERCASE:
Image

ENGINE-TRANNY JUNCTION:
Image
Author:  DarbyWalters [ Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
WEIGHTS...

FUEL.........................................34#'s
TRANNY/TRANSFERCASE............23#'s
ENGINE.....................................22$'s

TOTAL.......................................79#'s (Including Mounting Hardware)

STEP RAILS/SLIDERS..................46#'s


Well I got the skids delivered today...they also threw in the Sliders with Steprails ( have an aluminum insert between the slider and step to keep the road mess from shooting thru ). The total weight of the shipping was 162#'s with packing material ( at least that is what is listed on the shipping invoice ). Hopefully get to them this weekend.

I think they will serve the needs I am looking for. 1) light for mileage reasons 2 ) strong enuff to make road hazards benign 3 ) offer protection offroad for most trails, ect. 4 ) did I mention that they are light and thick?

The Slider Steprails were an extra bonus...very nice...round steel ( I believe ) with a gray shiny Rhino like coating. Big beefy aluminum brackets to hold them in place. Nicely done steprails with aluminum insert ( diamond plate type pattern...but a very understated pattern...really nice ) to keep road grime at bay.

I talked to Chuck the other day ( he is in Germany ) at an Auto Expo type function and told me he would get back to me about pricing...Middle East Events ( These are made in Israel ) are making it hard to nail down a price. This is the first set in the USA so we have to wait and see.
Author:  DarbyWalters [ Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:05 am ]
Post subject: 
INTERESTED L.O.S.T. MEMBERS:
Each Piece can be purchased separately:

ENGINE Price to be announced
TRANNY/TRANSFERCASE Price to be announced
FUEL Price to be announced
STEPRAIL SLIDERS Price to be announced

alljeep
jeep06
KJMedic
KenJennings
Jeger
jinstall
GilaMonster
JJsKJ...Engine & Gas tank Skid
bigcanoe
RFCRD...Tranny/Transfercase
Milner
cerich
Cowcatcher
hallb4
jeep06
gatorator
Cather123
Troysterr...Tranny/Transfercase
nolackj...02 gasser
mdrsteve...new owner
Author:  DarbyWalters [ Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
OK, the skids have been on for a week.

Engine Skid...It fits fine...you just have to drill one hole to run one of the stock back bolts thru...or...use the skid hole on the drivers side and drill thru the cross member...no big deal. This is the hole where my 2002 KJ did mount...they must have changed them a couple of years ago. The skid gives good overall protection...the only exception is that it does not entirely cover the two tabs where the LCA meets the alignment eccentric bolt location. I did not put back the CRD sound insulation that sits on top of the stock skid. I figured it would not fit perfectly and could hold water when the material gets wet. One nice feature is that is has a removeable hatch to service the front diff.

Tranny/Transfercase Skid...If fits fine...you just have to drill the same hole or do the same thing I did on the Engine skid above to attach the front to the engine crossmember. Then you have to use the stock hole spots and drop some bolts thru for attachment purposes beside the TransferCase. No big deal...The hole for access to the oil drain plug is fine. If you have a Fumoto Drain Plug you need to enlarge it just a bit. I left the nipple on mine and it protrudes just a bit...If you cut off the Fumoto nipple, it will be flush with the skid. You can reach from the side and access the oil filter if you use "hand tighten' to install.

Fuel Skid...Without a hitch this would be a cinch...perfect fit. With a Hidden Hitch you have to make clearance for the passenger side. You could make a small diagonal cut (on both sides to make it even) or just bend the section in like an ear. I bent mine for now...looks fine. You need to also loosen all the bolts to slip the "legs" of the fuel skid under the hitch attachment points.

All these can probably be easily fitted on gasser too...just a little mod to line up attachment points maybe. Being that they are aluminum, I do not think they are for big rock/boulder crawling. They are fine for my needs...regular trails and highway hazzard protection. I believe they can take a pretty serious hit being that they are 6mm ( a little thicker than 1/4") thick. Withe the removal of the OEM engine skid and the addition of the ASFIR skids...I added a little less than 70#s total and have good coverage...piece of mind from highway gators :oops:

I have emailed ASFIR with pics of the points that could be modified...but ...the skids fit fine with small changes as they are. More to come soon!
Author:  jinstall [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 3:27 am ]
Post subject: 
Where in Europe are you getting these prices? If it is in Germany please let me know as I can order mine now and get it here this week.
Author:  DarbyWalters [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:22 am ]
Post subject: 
There is a supplier here in the US...I will contact him today to see if he has fianl prices...and let every1 know.
Author:  alljeep [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:01 am ]
Post subject: 
Interested:

jeep06
KJMedic
KenJennings
Jeger
jinstall
GilaMonster
JJsKJ...Engine & Gas tank Skid
bigcanoe
RFCRD...Tranny/Transfercase
Milner
cerich
Cowcatcher
hallb4
jeep06
gatorator
Cather123
Troysterr...Tranny/Transfercase
nolackj...02 gasser
mdrsteve...new owner
Author:  DarbyWalters [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 11:03 am ]
Post subject: 
Chuck form ASFIR USA called me today...must have known we were talking about him. He told me that he will have retail pricing to me no later than Friday. Then we will work on a group buy pricing. Whether you want all/part/one piece...we will all get a price break.
Author:  o1dscratch [ Tue Sep 26, 2006 5:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
It would be interesting to know the difference in force needed to deform these compared to standard Mopar, All J's, Skidrow, etc.

of course the aluminum would probably deform before the Super Skid, but i wonder how it would compare to the mopar?
Author:  DarbyWalters [ Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
Would be nice for someone to get a 6mm piece of aluminum, 1/4 piece of steel, 3/8 piece of steel of the same size in area...and test. Put them in a press and see how much pressure it takes to deform significantly or break/crack in the case of aluminum.
Author:  Jeger [ Tue Sep 26, 2006 8:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
DarbyWalters wrote:
Would be nice for someone to get a 6mm piece of aluminum, 1/4 piece of steel, 3/8 piece of steel of the same size in area...and test. Put them in a press and see how much pressure it takes to deform significantly or break/crack in the case of aluminum.


I will look into it, what type of aluminum are they made of?
Author:  DarbyWalters [ Tue Sep 26, 2006 10:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
I believe it is 6061
Author:  jinstall [ Wed Sep 27, 2006 4:35 am ]
Post subject: 
Need to know as I am going to buy next week. Found the dealer here in Germany and I just so happen to be at a conference in that neck of the woods all next week.
Author:  DarbyWalters [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:03 am ]
Post subject: 
There are some dealers in Germany...I think if you go to ASFIT.com and hit the Dealer Section, you will find one.
Author:  OzLtd [ Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:36 am ]
Post subject: 
o1dscratch wrote:
It would be interesting to know the difference in force needed to deform these compared to standard Mopar, All J's, Skidrow, etc.

of course the aluminum would probably deform before the Super Skid, but i wonder how it would compare to the mopar?


The genuine skids are rubbish as far as i'm concerned. I've even welded on 3mm steel plate to the flat areas of my skids for extra protection - it still seems to deform, but no-where near the level of the paper thin stocko ones.

I think these 6mm Aluminium ones will be quite good. I'm even think that for the main front area, a 1mm steel sheet bottom cover would be the best bet - that way you get the best of both worlds, lightweight and super strong.

Geesus I'm keen to see the pricing on these bad boys - they look trick too !!

Darby, nice work mate, great find for the KJ community. Could you pls take some more detailed or 'revealing' pics for us ?
Author:  DarbyWalters [ Mon Oct 02, 2006 1:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
OzLtd wrote:
o1dscratch wrote:
It would be interesting to know the difference in force needed to deform these compared to standard Mopar, All J's, Skidrow, etc.

of course the aluminum would probably deform before the Super Skid, but i wonder how it would compare to the mopar?


The genuine skids are rubbish as far as i'm concerned. I've even welded on 3mm steel plate to the flat areas of my skids for extra protection - it still seems to deform, but no-where near the level of the paper thin stocko ones.

I think these 6mm Aluminium ones will be quite good. I'm even think that for the main front area, a 1mm steel sheet bottom cover would be the best bet - that way you get the best of both worlds, lightweight and super strong.

Geesus I'm keen to see the pricing on these bad boys - they look trick too !!

Darby, nice work mate, great find for the KJ community. Could you pls take some more detailed or 'revealing' pics for us ?


You should see if you could get an aussie company to be a dealere for them...they are always looking for good outlets I think. I have thought about the "steel skin" myself for the abrasion resistance.
Author:  OzLtd [ Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:23 am ]
Post subject: 
That's not a bad thought Darby, had'nt really even occurred to me :oops:

That steel skin would be a go'er I reckon. the best part is it wouldnt have to cover the entire piece, just the bottom surface closes to the ground ?
Author:  Jeger [ Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:28 am ]
Post subject: 
I am still interested, just dont have the cash to buy any goodies right now. How long is the intro/group buy pricing going to be available? Oh and it seems that 6mm aluminum doesnt exist in my part of the world. I will have to machine a .250 piece down if I wanted to do any testing.
Author:  DarbyWalters [ Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:45 am ]
Post subject: 
Chuck did not put a time limit on the 20% off...probably good till the end of the year.

6mm is just a hair thicker that .250 so 1/4 would be probably close enough.
Author:  Neal [ Tue Oct 03, 2006 11:21 am ]
Post subject: 
.25 inches = 6.36 mm

6 mm = .236 inches
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