Just finished DOI skid plate prototype

[matt DOI]

Originally Posted by evldave

ok, I'll bite. A couple questions:

Thickness?

Have you tested full of mud (between skid plate and T-case)?

Any ventilation?

Please provide details of mounting points

Weight?

In the absence of any answers I have the following comments:

That's gonna weight 100# at least (3/16). Any less thickess and Steve from San Jose might as well use it. And the weight will have a significant impact on vehicle performance.

No ventilation=burned up tranny/t-case. I'd recommend adding a (free) transmission temp gauge. Too much and shut it down. Without a tranny temp test, I wouldn't recommend this to my worst enemy (mostly because it will break down on the trail and I'll be obligated to help them out no matter what).

Unless that's a fully sealed unit, mud will get up in between the tranny/t-case and skid plate. BAD NEWS. It will never come out. See tranny temp above.

Other than those fundamentals, at least it looks good. At a connoisseur of ghetto engineering, I have to give this (absent any responses) a C-. Many people who want to look good will love it, those that use their vehicles should avoid it because of the potential issues. Perfect for a Jeep Liberty...

TO answer the thikness 3/16
the weight about 85 pounds
ventilation -if i go into production thare will be more slots and holes. the exhaust is off to the passenger side of the plate. as far as mud yes it will get in there but if you wash the truck you can also remove it. Over heating the t case does not seem to have affected Brians 10 hour drive from indy to DC.
the mountig points will be crush-nut zerts,along with the oem holes.

I bilt this skid plate so when you bash some thing under the truck you know what it is,and can stay in it if so you choose. it is the proto and made in about 15 hrs. if i get some intrest from it i will go in production.

As far as the skider being "ghetto engineering" all i can say is wow, never thought i would hear that in this forum. thanks for the input . i thought that H2 and H3 owners would like some hardcore parts too i hope some of you like it ,let me know . more pics at WWW.defeliceinnovations.com