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Front skidplate/diff armor

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Offline samuraidan

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Front skidplate/diff armor
« on: October 25, 2011, 10:58:10 PM »
I could have sworn I saw someone post a link to an EBay store which was selling front diff armor... There is a good chance I made that up.  ???

Does anyone make a skidplate for the second gen trucks? I just got my 5.13's in an aluminum diff and I wanna protect them.
'00 Vitara 2.0L 5spd w/ Jeff's lift, SR Customs body lift, 5.13's, rear locker, SR Customs steel pinion collar, 1.25" wheel spacers, 15x7, 31x10.5R15 Dynapro MT's.

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Offline samuraidan

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Re: Front skidplate/diff armor
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2011, 11:07:37 PM »
I just found aftermarket4x4.com's skidplate. Looks pretty good. Has anyone out there installed one of them? How do they work with jeff's lift?

Are there any other similar products available?
'00 Vitara 2.0L 5spd w/ Jeff's lift, SR Customs body lift, 5.13's, rear locker, SR Customs steel pinion collar, 1.25" wheel spacers, 15x7, 31x10.5R15 Dynapro MT's.

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Offline xjnewfie

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Re: Front skidplate/diff armor
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2011, 06:10:41 AM »
I'd assume they would work with Jeff's kit as those guys sell a coil spacer kit as well.  I've also looked at their products, they look good.  And when I emailed him, he offered a discount (can't remember how much) if I were to buy the gas tank skid plate as well.

For me, being in Eastern Canada, the killer was the shipping costs, which is why I haven't pulled the trigger yet.
2003 4 Door Suzuki Vitara
2" Coil Spacer lift
245/75R16  BFG A/T

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Offline samuraidan

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Re: Front skidplate/diff armor
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2011, 06:53:59 AM »
O man, those guys are down in Virginia! I'm on the west coast of Canada, shipping would end up costing double what the part does!!

I wonder if I could make something myself....anyone tried that route?
'00 Vitara 2.0L 5spd w/ Jeff's lift, SR Customs body lift, 5.13's, rear locker, SR Customs steel pinion collar, 1.25" wheel spacers, 15x7, 31x10.5R15 Dynapro MT's.

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Offline hcgalvin

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Re: Front skidplate/diff armor
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2011, 10:09:59 AM »
For you guys in Canada...

Have you thought to check out the Altered Ego guys?

http://www.alteredegomotorsports.com/

Specifically:

http://www.alteredegomotorsports.com/vitaratracker-armour.html
Heather Galvin
2005 GV with Zuki Nation 4.5" Lift.
Sidekick's gone... Still have Bob's Knob.

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Offline nprecon

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Re: Front skidplate/diff armor
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2011, 05:16:57 PM »
I bought one of Sean's fuel tank skids for a couple of my trucks a couple years ago.  They were spot on with their shape, fit and bolt hole alignment and were made out of 10 gage steel (as I recall).   I was impressed because I have mounted several rear tow bars with mounting holes off a 1/4 of an inch and it absolutely drives me crazy!

Somewhere, sometime, I don't remember when, I found the enclosed drawing from someone on the internet of a sketch of a front skid plate.  I copied it with the intent of eventually making one locally.... but haven't to date.  I think the designer had intended to make his out of aluminum... but I'm thinking 10 gage steel would be "more better".   The catch would be finding someone with a metal brake large enough to fold 10 gage steel.

In fact, I am working on fabbing up what I can only describe as a 'thong' to protect the aluminum punkin part of the of the front diff out of a piece of an FJ40 winch bumper wing thats about 3/16" thick.  
« Last Edit: October 26, 2011, 05:23:53 PM by nprecon »
'02 Chezuki Tracker with a 2 Liter and 5spd.  It works for me!!!

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Offline blazin00

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Re: Front skidplate/diff armor
« Reply #6 on: December 14, 2011, 06:51:32 AM »
Low Range Offroad makes one.  I've never bought anything from them but their stuff looks decent enough to me.

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/index.php/suzuki/tracker-vitara-gv-xl7/armor.html

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Online fordem

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Re: Front skidplate/diff armor
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2011, 09:30:47 AM »
I don't think Low range Off Road actually makes anything - as far as I can tell they just sell other peoples' products - those skidplates are from Aftermarket 4x4.

Don't get me wrong - they're a very convenient "one-stop" shop with excellent pricing & prompt shipping - Sean is a great guy to do business with.
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

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Offline blacktrack99

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Re: Front skidplate/diff armor
« Reply #8 on: December 20, 2011, 11:59:23 AM »
I have beaten the bejesus out of my Aftermarket4x4 skids.  If I remember right, the shipping wasn't bad.  Even if the shipping's a little ugly, the price for the plates was reasonable and the quality is aweome.

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Offline samuraidan

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Re: Front skidplate/diff armor
« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2011, 09:33:59 AM »
i cant help but notice the Zuki Nation (alteredego) skid plate seems to provide a little more frontal protection.


'00 Vitara 2.0L 5spd w/ Jeff's lift, SR Customs body lift, 5.13's, rear locker, SR Customs steel pinion collar, 1.25" wheel spacers, 15x7, 31x10.5R15 Dynapro MT's.

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Offline JDMCRX

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Re: Front skidplate/diff armor
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2011, 10:44:52 PM »
the altered ego is the exact same design as the aftermarket 4x4 but it has slight wings on the side.

I dont realy like there design that much due to the extream angle of the plate from the cross member down its near 45 deg.

Im gonna be building one in the next few weeks if i get time maybe make a few. And im located in canada centeral.

01 GRAND VITARA

JBAUTO LONGTUBE HEADERS AND 2.5" JBAUTO EXHAUST

New project H27 in the GV goal 200 Wheel Horse Power  JPB 1.75"front 2" rear Grand Vitra lifts  www.jbauto.ca[/url]

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Offline BRD HNTR

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Re: Front skidplate/diff armor
« Reply #11 on: December 23, 2011, 12:39:23 PM »
I bought one of Sean's fuel tank skids for a couple of my trucks a couple years ago.  They were spot on with their shape, fit and bolt hole alignment and were made out of 10 gage steel (as I recall).   I was impressed because I have mounted several rear tow bars with mounting holes off a 1/4 of an inch and it absolutely drives me crazy!

Somewhere, sometime, I don't remember when, I found the enclosed drawing from someone on the internet of a sketch of a front skid plate.  I copied it with the intent of eventually making one locally.... but haven't to date.  I think the designer had intended to make his out of aluminum... but I'm thinking 10 gage steel would be "more better".   The catch would be finding someone with a metal brake large enough to fold 10 gage steel.

In fact, I am working on fabbing up what I can only describe as a 'thong' to protect the aluminum punkin part of the of the front diff out of a piece of an FJ40 winch bumper wing thats about 3/16" thick.  

The smaller sheet metal shops can usually only bend 16-14 guage (and do not have the heavier guage metal sheets on hand), and that is too light for a skid pan.  10 guage or 3/16 will make a good skid pan.  I made one close to your dimensions, and welded wings on the sides to stiffen it.  It is more work with a press that can adjust its press area to put the contour bends and wing bends both, and this press was not capable of both.  Or you could cut and weld the angles.

Last trip to Walker Valley, I slid up on a large rock and pivoted on skid pan until front wheels finally touched ground and pulled me off.  The back skid pan does have a slight bow, which was straightened by driving over a 4X6 placed on the bowed area.

You can use a coat hangar wire to create the contour you want the skid pan to be.
93 Tracker,XL7 springs & 1" raised spring pads in front with YJ springs in back, home built bumpers rear & front (w/winch), 2" x 4" rock tubes,  ARB front & rear, converted Sami rear to IFS, 33x12.5x15  aluminum rims, roll cage, 2.7L w/5 speed auto.