CarbonSteel
Well-Known Member
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- #1
It is a good intent for a skid, but like many of you have suggested, the cantilever action that could happen when a rock hits the plate would likely just bend the skid into the exhaust loop. I am considering beefing mine up (try not to laugh and the cardboard and tape--it is easier to cut cardboard than plate) with the following enhancements.
I am mindful of not making it too strong because it is also a lever on the control arm mount and the frame and would rather sacrifice the skid versus either of those. The biggest weakness that I see is the frame mounting tab which will absolutely bend so I am going to do a full gusset on it and am connecting the tab back to the control arm mount area to strengthen both of them with 1" x 1/4" flat bar.
I had considered putting two "L" shaped plates made from 1" x 1/4" flat bar from the control arm mount to the opposite flange (across the belly of the skid on the inside), but that would get into the exhaust loop or leave very little clearance. I could use some 1/2" x 1/2" square stock instead of 1" x 1/4" flat bar, but I am thinking what I have laid out in cardboard should seriously strengthen the overall design.
What say you? Anything I am overthinking?
I am mindful of not making it too strong because it is also a lever on the control arm mount and the frame and would rather sacrifice the skid versus either of those. The biggest weakness that I see is the frame mounting tab which will absolutely bend so I am going to do a full gusset on it and am connecting the tab back to the control arm mount area to strengthen both of them with 1" x 1/4" flat bar.
I had considered putting two "L" shaped plates made from 1" x 1/4" flat bar from the control arm mount to the opposite flange (across the belly of the skid on the inside), but that would get into the exhaust loop or leave very little clearance. I could use some 1/2" x 1/2" square stock instead of 1" x 1/4" flat bar, but I am thinking what I have laid out in cardboard should seriously strengthen the overall design.
What say you? Anything I am overthinking?
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