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View Full Version : Skid plate for a mini-van



A.J.
11-21-2009, 08:17 PM
When I go prairie dog hunting, the roads we use are dirt trails with some growth in the center of the road. My cross member would catch a lot of it and hang onto it. So a skid plate was in order. I was going to do this last year when things slowed down but half a sheet of sheet metal was going to cost me $50. I did a gas tank in a '94 Jeep Wrangler last week. I got a used one so I had a tank and skid plate left over. I tossed the tank and kept the skid plate just in case. I measured it up and turns out it'd work fine. I love free.

The Jeep Wrangler gas tank skid plate. A little beat up but free.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0814.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0815.jpg

After some jumping and whomping on with a 32 oz BFH. I also had to remove the side cover. It was only spot welded on. My air chisel made quick work of it.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0817.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0818.jpg

I use to have a Honda power steering cooler on my cross member. You can see why it would grab a lot of brush. I relocated it first. That write-up is here: http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36916
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0248.jpg

I used threaded nutserts for the front bracket because I had to remove the bumper cover to fab this up. I didn't want self tapers to vibrate out. Removing the bumper cover sucks.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0820.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0821.jpg

I drilled holes in the lip on the cross member for the rear bolts. I used the threaded body nuts in case I strip or cross thread one they're easily replaceable.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0816.jpg

And done.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0822.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0823.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0824.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0826.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0827.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0828.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e301/thebest4/DSCF0829.jpg

Surprisingly, I didn't have to modify the skid plate other than straightening it and drilling a couple of holes. Also it's easily removable for oil changes. Three 6mm bolts in the front and four 8mm bolts in the rear.

A.J.

tryingbe
11-24-2009, 06:06 PM
You should see a slight mile age gain. :)

Vigo
11-24-2009, 09:57 PM
Wow, i love it!!! Im glad im not the only one who feels the urge to add skid plates to things that weren't designed to go off-road!