fleurys Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) In french we say : chose promise, chose due.... In other word, I talked about it in afew post, now here it is... The fitment is almost done, still have to unbend a little bit since it is not perfect. The holes placement is final and will give 9 point of attachements. They will not be all necessary but will greatly be appreciated by those who have some bolts broken in the threads... ( I speak by expereince on that one ! :-) ) The whole skid is made of 1/4" aluminum eventhough I was originally going to make it in steel. I have witness a sledgehammer test to 1/4" aluminum vs 1/4" steel vs 3/16th" steel and I can say that for all the benefit of the aluminum, the difference of damage sustain by the splate is almost identical as the 1/4" steel. It is also more resistant (by a good margin) compared to 3/16" steel. Anyway, I'll redo the test and film it for everyone to see..1/4" aluminum is far from fragile ! I have also decided to have a strip of rubber where the plate meets the frame to prevent rust transfer. All the hardware will be Stanless Steel countersunk bolts. When I'm ready, i'll give you all the details about them....Ho yes...They weight 3 X LESS then the equivalent in steel.. To give you an idea of the size, the hole in the center is a 6" square... Here you go... Edited May 7, 2009 by fleurys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexrex20 Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 that's freaking awesome. do you plan on taking orders on these? i will for sure be on your list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180sx Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Wow, thats cool. I definatley want one, too! I broke the stock plastic one and need something to replace it, and this is definatley the way to do it. So how much did this skid cost you to make, roughly? Jose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleurys Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 that's freaking awesome. do you plan on taking orders on these Yes, that's my goal. The problem I have right now is getting the fasteners. Beleive it or not, the M10 stainless steel with small thread is a special order and I have to have it made. So I'm back another 3 weeks. I went, just for fun, at nissan to get a few of the non countersunk ones just to test fit all the fitment holes, and the bolts cost me almost 3$ each...! ouch!... So for now, this post is just to let everybody that were maybe goig to purchase a skid plate for their r50, that there will soon be an alternative to the AC ones. Not that there's anything wrong with them, but it became ludicrous for me to have it shipped to my location. The price of shipping was almost identical to the price of the skid plate... So then, I decided that I would design my own . With the help of alot of people here, I have designed what I think is the best skid plate for me. Hopefully, others will also think the same. Here's a few keypoints : 1) Light 2) rust resistant 3) SS hardware 4) rubber barrier for rattle and rust transfer between frame and skidplate 5) all bolts are countersunk in the skid (no more broken head bolts) 6) Unique window for oil filter access. Access the oil filter in 30Seconds.. 7) more points of attachements I'll probably need the help of someone that has a 96-99 to make sure the holes fit... So how much did this skid cost you to make, roughly? I don't have the final number and if I count my time, then this skidplate id expensive haha...I<ve been working on this for the last 4 saturdays and it's the third time that I,ll have to correct the angle on it...I Can't tell you a definitive number, but I'll try to be competitve with the AC ones, eventhough it's a totally different skidplate.. I personnaly think that you can't compare the 2.... Cheers ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronin152 Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 i'll take one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Nice design. I have to first see if I can manage to straighten Pezzy's out and reinforce it. I may just go ahead and add an access window for the oil filter while I'm at it. If not, given Pezzy's propensity for turning her front skid into soup bowls, we may be interested, depending on price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleurys Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 we may be interested, depending on price You won't be disapointed...hence, just the weight makes the shipping cost go down by half....and since i"m on the same side of the border as you are... S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pezzy Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 ...given Pezzy's propensity for turning her front skid into soup bowls... Oh hush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180sx Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Now now Chil'en, lets all be quiet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tekazgtr1984 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 That's a sweet skid plate! Looks like it'll hold up pretty well as it's made of 1/4" aluminum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dududuckling Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 I may also be interested in the skid plate depending on the price... but so far, I'm very happy with the shipping cost (light weight and its from quebec to toronto) which is much cheaper than importing it from the states. And I'm just wondering (which might sound obvious to you): Do I have to remove the plastic factory skid plate before installing the new one? Or can i just overlap it and use longer bolts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben0326 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 And I'm just wondering (which might sound obvious to you): Do I have to remove the plastic factory skid plate before installing the new one? Or can i just overlap it and use longer bolts? This would replace the plastic skid plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleurys Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 yes exactly.. You will have to also remove the "H" brace that's underneath the plastic skid. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pezzy Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Do you plan on making other skids? (not just the front?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleurys Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 Do you plan on making other skids? (not just the front?) Yes , I will be doing a 1 or 2 pieces up to the transfer case with lateral support . I'm looking to try with HDPE 1/2" Plastic sheet. I have the material at home..just need to finally finish with the first one...This saturday should be the decisive one. This should be sturdy enough with just enough flex into it not to bend permanently on big obstacles..No rust again, easily modifiable with hand tools and also light... I'll continue with my theme of ss hardware and countersunk bolts....nice flat belly :-) I'll also give a shot at rock sliders with some special extras on it... Big summer for me on the horizon.. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tekazgtr1984 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Yes , I will be doing a 1 or 2 pieces up to the transfer case with lateral support . I'm looking to try with HDPE 1/2" Plastic sheet. I have the material at home..just need to finally finish with the first one...This saturday should be the decisive one. This should be sturdy enough with just enough flex into it not to bend permanently on big obstacles..No rust again, easily modifiable with hand tools and also light... I'll continue with my theme of ss hardware and countersunk bolts....nice flat belly :-) I'll also give a shot at rock sliders with some special extras on it... Big summer for me on the horizon.. S. HDPE skids eh? Rock sliders eh? Let us know how that goes for you. I am definitely interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willray80 Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Hi there, I am now in the market for a skid plate. I just tore the plastic splash guard while on a run with SteeevO and his group this weekend. I think the AC plate looks like a pain with no oil filter window, and modifying it myself is kind of out of the question. How long do we have to wait for these to hit the market? Looking forward to purchasing if I can afford the shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleurys Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 Everything is setup except the ... fasteners!... I was promised to have them around this week (that makes 4 weeks of waiting). I will let everybody know when it is ready... Soon ..very soon... As for the shipping, I'm not worried... the plate is very light...about 3x less than steel...be patient, you won't regret it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02silverpathy Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Add me to the sold list! Here's my question...will it work with the rest of the AC skid plates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleurys Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 will it work with the rest of the AC skid plates? That's a good question, but I have no idea... What I can tell you is that my plate attaches itself to the sub-frame using 4 bolts (2 small and 2 big ). These bolts screw right in in the threaded holes of the path. I don't know how the AC transmission skid attachs to the spash skid. If you can, send me a good picture of the ac transmission skid, where it attaches to the splash one and I'll try to help you figure it out.. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laxman0324 Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Well other than the fact that I only have 3 bolts still holding my splash guard on, I would love one if I can get them out in a reasonable manner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavefromOZ Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Everything is setup except the ... fasteners!... I was promised to have them around this week (that makes 4 weeks of waiting). I will let everybody know when it is ready... Soon ..very soon... As for the shipping, I'm not worried... the plate is very light...about 3x less than steel...be patient, you won't regret it Do you know the actual specs of the fasteners? I may be able to help out there as we us stainless steel fastener suppliers at work and I can get them at a massive discount. Just need to know the actual thread specs and the stainless grade you are after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleurys Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 Well other than the fact that I only have 3 bolts still holding my splash guard on, I would love one if I can get them out in a reasonable manner hahaha...ho you're in for some quality time under your pathfinder .... I had the same issue...I ended up being able to remove all 4..yes 4 broken bolts with drilling without damaging the threads...but... I averaged about 1:30h per bolt... At the end, I could'nt stand looking at it anymore...All I was seeing is more work to do... At least with 9 holes for my skid, you could get away with not taking them all out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleurys Posted April 8, 2009 Author Share Posted April 8, 2009 Do you know the actual specs of the fasteners? I may be able to help out there as we us stainless steel fastener suppliers at work and I can get them at a massive discount. Just need to know the actual thread specs and the stainless grade you are after I don't have the official specs because I had the shop measure the threads etc... but basically it is something like this : Countersunk, Metric, Small thread, Stainless steel 304 M8 and M6 I beleive...but not sure on the M... Here a picture.. : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavefromOZ Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I don't have the official specs because I had the shop measure the threads etc... but basically it is something like this : Countersunk, Metric, Small thread, Stainless steel 304 M8 and M6 I beleive...but not sure on the M... Here a picture.. : They look pretty standard, if you can get me the actual size, I would be able to have a handful in the mail this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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