Skid plate

[PEI-XJ]

I am wanting to make a skid plate for my XJ but iam not sure on how to do it due to the low exhaust on the front and on where and what to bolt it too

[bluedragon436]

So what are you asking here?? Are you wanting some ideas, pics of other people's setups, what??

[PEI-XJ]

i guess it is a lil bit of everything u listed in ur post

[4x4Dalton]

Heres ya a link to one idea for them.....http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f58/homemade-skid-plates-38039/

[PEI-XJ]

the steel i got is from a old oil tank

[4.3LXJ]

Just a suggestion from an old millwright. If it isn't flat when you need it to be or the right kind of steel for the job, you will make much more work out of it and it won't turn out as nice than if you get the right materials for the job.

[PEI-XJ]

its flat and it was free so

[4.3LXJ]

Well, flat is good then.

[modestmar00xj]

yeah why are people using street signs for skid plates? it just doesent seem strong, unless im wrong.

[PEI-XJ]

its not a street sign i am goin to use, i am going to make one from a old oil tank

[4.3LXJ]

yeah why are people using street signs for skid plates? it just doesent seem strong, unless im wrong.

Those street signs are T6 aluminum, stronger than steel. Some of them will take a 45 round without penetration. They are actually slightly stronger than steel. Wish I had some.

[PEI-XJ]

and they would likely be a lot lighter then steel, i may have to go adn see if i can get some and take the steel back to the junk yard

[prcjeep]

what type of road sign would i be looking for? like stop sign or interstate mile marker sign? Any idea which ones would be that type? or are they all the same?

[4.3LXJ]

Any of them. They are all T6 aluminum

[PEI-XJ]

i guess i will get a hold of the boss from my work in the summer and see if he can get me into the scrap yard for Highways

[LizardRunner]

6061 T-6 aluminum is fairly strong, 45,000 psi however it is also very brittle and will only take a bend of 45 degrees and even that usually results in cracks or down right failure. anneling (heating and letting cool slowly) will help this condition a little.

5052 T-5 is prefered for fabrications that require shaping the metal, is less strong at 41,000 psi but welds much better, takes bends beyond 45 degrees with out fracturing.

If you want to fabricate something like a skid plate from aluminum I would use the thickest 5052 material I could bead roll. Bead rolling adds a lot of strength to flat pannels such as skid plates. 3/16" 5052 can be run through a heavy duty bead roller and is used on floor pannels and fender walls of race cars. I would imagine that with the right forms you could hand hammer in beads on 1/4" 5052 and that could make some super, lighter weight than steel skids. this same material could be used for light impact bumpers since it welds nicely with either mig or tig equipment, it can also be gas welded with a lot of care and patience for full penetration with the proper flux.

This thread shows the problems with using 6061 T-6, the design and pattern making are good though. http://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/210069-my-skid-plate-build.html