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GimpRally
06-14-2009, 05:56 AM
I've already got a template made out of cardboard. Just need suggestions on the thickness, I've heard 3/16? I'm building this skid so i can take my car to an off road park near my house. In most places is smooth hard packed sand, but sometimes huge rocks work their way to the surface.....And i'd rather not lose an oil pan.
409industries
06-14-2009, 03:12 PM
If you're really planning on pushing the car hard, don't go with anything less than 1/4". Especially if you're talking about big embedded rocks possibly hitting the front of your car.

I'd recommend getting dedicated skid plate reinforcement bar under the plate too. The radiator core support is not strong enough to protect the car on a severe impact.
9one9racing.com
07-20-2009, 08:20 PM
yeah, def. nothing less than 1/4".



all an aluminum plate will do is help protect from twigs and dirty getting up there.

alum. is pretty soft. and if you're going over anything at an alarming rate, it will gouge the aluminum. and since its a DIY plate, make sure you make a bend in the plate so its not rubbing up on your oil pan or headers. if you cant bend it. put some spacers. if you dont have spacers, its not a big deal to be honest, but the metal oilpan bolts and/or the header will dig into the alum since its soft.

ive got a home made one from alum. i want to say 3/16, but i dont remember, i can find out like tomorrow from my friend who gave me the alum.

its got its scuff marks and what not. nothing terrible. but dont think this will save your motor if you go over some boulders, lol.

be safe and have fun making it. the good thing about a DIY, is you can make it any way you want, just make sure you've got mount points.
carl
07-20-2009, 08:24 PM
3" lol

3/16" is a good size
KevinWelker
07-20-2009, 09:13 PM
the alloy you use is just as important as the thickness. Resilience, strength, formability, weight and weldability are all important factors. Take a look at the various skid plate threads on specialstage.com about how to improve stiffness with bends, ribs etc and reduce weight with milling as well as good, strong mounting schemes that will survive.
carl
07-21-2009, 05:12 AM
the alloy you use is just as important as the thickness. Resilience, strength, formability, weight and weldability are all important factors. Take a look at the various skid plate threads on specialstage.com about how to improve stiffness with bends, ribs etc and reduce weight with milling as well as good, strong mounting schemes that will survive.
we made our plate somewhat light-weight by taking a thin 1/8" primitive plate and adding a piece of 3/16" down the middle over the pan area. we also added more mounting points to make it more rigid

kind of seen in this pic
http://www.sieglerphoto.com/photos/510373962_NaMGL-L.jpg
echelon
09-14-2009, 11:41 PM
Just what i need, thanks for posting this!

this is my next project when i get paid next.
Gnome
01-13-2010, 09:26 AM
Once I get my new engine this wil be my first job
cszink
01-13-2010, 09:39 AM
http://specialstage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36082&highlight=skid+plate
I'm going to be using this thread when I make mine.
I just need a basic one to help protect me sticks, small rocks, and ruts when I'm screwing around.
I really want to buy that RallyInnovations bar that goes up front.
conorpeterson85
01-13-2010, 09:59 AM
we made our plate somewhat light-weight by taking a thin 1/8" primitive plate and adding a piece of 3/16" down the middle over the pan area. we also added more mounting points to make it more rigid

kind of seen in this pic
http://www.sieglerphoto.com/photos/510373962_NaMGL-L.jpg

+ 1 to the extension, i'm with out a car this week cause the trans pan was unprotected
Guttersmash
02-21-2010, 05:00 PM
i looked through the diy section and couldn't find a template for a 93-01 skidplate,
mind sharing yours?:mrgreen:
2000 impreza
02-21-2010, 10:16 PM
+1 for a template. :)
bigjoshsubyfan
02-23-2010, 07:01 PM
i looked through the diy section and couldn't find a template for a 93-01 skidplate,
mind sharing yours?:mrgreen:

If you don't get one we can take off my primitive plate one of these days and i'll let ya get a template off that.
Guttersmash
02-23-2010, 08:33 PM
If you don't get one we can take off my primitive plate one of these days and i'll let ya get a template off that.

that'd be awesome man.
maybe at the next rallyX event?
i'm gonna come drive in it :mrgreen:
Gnome
02-24-2010, 08:18 AM
Templates ftw
bigjoshsubyfan
02-24-2010, 10:28 PM
that'd be awesome man.
maybe at the next rallyX event?
i'm gonna come drive in it :mrgreen:

awesome yeah maybe afterwards we can pop it off if i have time. I"m running it and its a national challenge so there will be alot to do i'm sure. Glad you know you're coming out though you'll love it. Make sure you tell all the local street queens about it too ;)
Guttersmash
02-26-2010, 06:43 PM
awesome yeah maybe afterwards we can pop it off if i have time. I"m running it and its a national challenge so there will be alot to do i'm sure. Glad you know you're coming out though you'll love it. Make sure you tell all the local street queens about it too ;)

I have 2 friends thinking about driving in it too, one is hesitant, but the other i just took for a drive around a dirt parking lot and he was convinced :headbang:
bigjoshsubyfan
02-28-2010, 04:03 PM
i'll be at the mark miller meet thise week bring the one who can't make up his mind and we'll talk him into it you guys are going to love it.
Ty Ty
02-28-2010, 04:10 PM
It's not under one now, but this plate started out under a GC Impreza open class car. Even with the Audi's longer engine/gearbox, it still covers it all and a bit beyond. 1/4" aluminium. We've hit some big big rocks that have thrown the car up in the air, skidplate barely dented. Like said before, it's all in the type of aluminum used.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/3935262326_247b114810_b.jpg
tylerq219
02-28-2010, 04:34 PM
where did you find the other plastic pieces that you made for the arms?
Ty Ty
02-28-2010, 04:43 PM
http://www.interstateplastics.com/Natural-Uhmw-virgin-Sheet-UHMNV.php
aesthetect
03-13-2010, 08:22 PM
what do most of you guys' skid plates end up weighing in at? do you keep them on for DD?
amp27
03-20-2010, 06:19 PM
i would bet they weight under 5 pounds...

and yes,, it is all in the grade of aluminum.. i have a full aluminum RC truck and it can take a massive beating and i just get scuffs
amp27
03-20-2010, 06:21 PM
It's not under one now, but this plate started out under a GC Impreza open class car. Even with the Audi's longer engine/gearbox, it still covers it all and a bit beyond. 1/4" aluminium. We've hit some big big rocks that have thrown the car up in the air, skidplate barely dented. Like said before, it's all in the type of aluminum used.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/3935262326_247b114810_b.jpg

are those the fuel lines that are just hidden in that groove... if so i would weld a plate over them.... or at least bolted plate. hit a rock the right way and you got no gas.
gwilson87
03-21-2010, 01:26 AM
awesome yeah maybe afterwards we can pop it off if i have time. I"m running it and its a national challenge so there will be alot to do i'm sure. Glad you know you're coming out though you'll love it. Make sure you tell all the local street queens about it too ;)

Oooh I would like to get in on this skid plate template goodness. I am going to be at miller (not driving, too broke and too rally-car-less) But I would love to get measurements. Then if anyone wants I can draw it up on the computer with the dimensions and whatnot.
emsmap
03-23-2010, 03:30 PM
subscribed!! Im liking this thread!
LURK
04-14-2010, 08:18 PM
i made mine out of a street sign for my WRX. its pretty but its not going to protect me on a stage. Im saving up and having my cousin fab one up for my future stage rally car (93L). :headbang: ill get dimensions for you guys when its done.
012.5RS
04-23-2010, 04:00 AM
LURK, u now made me want to use the winding road sign i have as a skid plate... haha i think it would look awesome. prob not too effective tho.
eage8
05-25-2010, 11:11 AM
i would bet they weight under 5 pounds...

and yes,, it is all in the grade of aluminum.. i have a full aluminum RC truck and it can take a massive beating and i just get scuffs

I have the primitive 3/16" skidplate and it weighs 18 lbs.

Here is a chart of how much the primitive ones weigh:
http://www.writerguy.com/primitive/skidplate/skid_details.htm
Ty Ty
05-27-2010, 07:45 AM
My plate is...heavy. It's wide, long, and thick...giggidy.

If I had to guess, in excess of 35 or 40 lbs.
iceberg113
10-08-2010, 03:29 AM
Here's a pic of my homemade one that im runnning for now, until I get a stronger one made. Keeps the dirt and sticks out, protects from gravel, but thats about it. Good to keep a spare oil pan on hand...

This is also cut to fit single port, I'm now running dual port with Borla rep headers so I may have to do some new cutting and bending. But its really simple.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c398/iceberg113/PA080015.jpg

Edit: You can sort of see the slight bend, it runs through the "E" on pavement. That it to allow it to clear the headers.