[RnEmOvr]

i knew i was holding out on a replacement for a reason

[southtxdstroyer]

Originally Posted by mrblaine

Seeing as Jerry is a well respected member of this forum and a personal friend who wheels on difficult stuff, he was kind enough to beta test one of these for us and give some needed feedback.

We've also asked robncar to do some testing as well and look forward to his reactions.

yeah i understood that, but i was just curious as to how well a steel gas tank skid held up to rough wheeling after 11 years

and just so you know, id be glad to be your guinea pig for beta testing new stuff

[jcook793]

I've been putting off the gas tank skid for too long. Count me in for 1!

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by southtxdstroyer

i was just curious as to how well a steel gas tank skid held up to rough wheeling after 11 years

Not bad, dent and gouge/scrape-wise, but it's a PITA after most wheeling trips to have to wire brush it and re-paint it to keep the rust at bay. So in addition to no more rust worries, the new aluminum skidplate's reduced weight will be nice because my TJ is getting up there weight-wise.

[southtxdstroyer]

yeah, steel sucks like that
the aluminum one is extremely cool

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by southtxdstroyer

yeah i understood that, but i was just curious as to how well a steel gas tank skid held up to rough wheeling after 11 years

and just so you know, id be glad to be your guinea pig for beta testing new stuff

Steel holds up well. It always has, but it comes with some penalties including expense and weight and continued maintenance.

I hate rust with a passion and for those that run steel skids, I have a few pics I'll be putting up that show what can happen to powder coated steel where you would least expect it. This is in an environment that one would never consider to be part of the salt belt.

[bman9089]

Nice. It's about time someone jumped on the aluminum bandwagon. And the no rust part is a BIIIIIIIG Plus!

[Kiwi Jeeper]

Originally Posted by Scotch740

Anyone got weights on other aftermarket skids? Specifically Rokmens?

It weighs 26 kilos, thats what the galvanising place and the freight company told me the weight of the "object" was They didn't know what it was!

[RnEmOvr]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Jeeper

It weighs 26 kilos, thats what the galvanising place and the freight company told me the weight of the "object" was They didn't know what it was!

26 kg = 57.2 lbs for the english guys

[Kiwi Jeeper]

I would be keen for tummy tuck for older TJs. I like your work and attitude.

I had my steel one hot dip galvanished before painting to avoid rust. Hopefully that should last a few years.

[servozn]

Just because 6061 doesn't rust, it will still corrode. I would still recommend a coat of paint on an aluminum piece of structure. At least some alodine if you can get it, just don't leave the bare metal. As for 6061, we use it a lot and it is a very well behaved aluminum, even in space. Also easily repairable. As for making the corners blaine, I would recommend forming the primary structure and then doing the heat treat, if you can. I know Alcan will sell you material in the T-0 temper.
nice idea, i cringe every time i add more steel to my jeep.

edited for spelling

[fromme]

I was just about to ask about those brackets and if they'd be a weak point, and then I continued to read. Knowing who's involved I don't have to ask anything more about it.
I'll buy one of these even though my Kilby is still holding strong, just for the weight savings behind the rear axle. I recently weighed my Jeep, Steer axle 2280 + drive axle 2400 = 4680#. I need to put it on a diet.

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by servozn

Just because 6061 doesn't rust, it will still corrode. I would still recommend a coat of paint on an aluminum piece of structure. At least some alodine if you can get it, just don't leave the bare metal. As for 6061, we use it a lot and it is a very well behaved aluminum, even in space. Also easily repairable. As for making the corners blaine, I would recommend forming the primary structure and then doing the heat treat, if you can. I know Alcan will sell you material in the T-0 temper.
nice idea, i cringe every time i add more steel to my jeep.

edited for spelling

I'm well aware of the -0 temper and seriously considered it, but I don't have a good local heat treater that can bring it up to the -6 temper when I'm finished with the forming.

Since I need two separate parts to make the design work, I would only save a few pounds by making the mounts in aluminum and then the costs would go up because laser cutting aluminum is not accurate, much slower, requires much more clean-up and then I have to get the heat treating done.

The design is a pretty good blend of materials and their usage in the right areas.

But, it's nice to find someone who understands aluminum enough to know what -0 temper is.

[Dukes69]

[BeerMe]

Blaine,

Good work. I come from a family of pilots and I grew up working on small airplanes with my Father, I am also an avid mountainbiker, so I know how amazing aluminum can be. I am declaring a moratorium on all my armor purchases until I see your entire product line. In fact I have a feeling I will be replacing a few of my less than savvy purchases with your products.