I am looking at my friend John's 96 HB truck in amzement how he has destroyed so far a AC axle skid plate and a AC front skid plate with ease.
The axle skid got caught on a rock then the u-bolt proceded to shear making it bend under his axle then snap off. The front got smacked kinda hard enough so the bolts on the bottom of it sheared and then when he backed up ir broke off on one of the front corners.
How good is thier chit really? He has pretty bent steering right now I think the idle arm brace doesn't do that much at all he still bent his idler arm with ease. So is this stuff they sell just for show and light wheeling why can't it withstand hardcore wheeling?
I am not trying to bash AC or anything it's just some of thier stuff ain't cutting it at least from what I have seen on my bud's truck. Or possibly he is too rough and careless with stuff...

93 Toyota SR5 5 Speed V6 4 Runner 33x12.5 MT's, FJ80 coils, Low pro bump stops http://www.cardomain.com/id/934rnr

I just got the axle skid plate and it didnt take to much to tear it up on the last wheeling trip. Have not had a problem with any thing else. I think the axle skid plate could be better designed though.

Weld the skid on the axlehousing, maybe?
AS to skidplates, were I to make my own( on the menu) I'd configure the mounting holes such that the bolts are recessed -so that they don't shear off.

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'98 FAD FrontyKC
156,000 miles
Packin ARB'd 9"(5.00)& Tornado w/ Dual Remotes;-)

Don't want to weld it on....that'd be welding steel to cast iron in the case of the 3rd member, plus the plates don't have holes for the drain plug


1998 Frontier 4x4, 2002 Xterra 4x4, 1983 280ZXT, and a ratty old Sentra
Remember, Grow the Nissan Community and stand up for ORV user rights!
Card Carrying M.E.S.A Member (Modified Easterly SWANKy Associates)

If you really want to protect the U-bolts... Get/make a u-bolt reversal, so the bolt threads are on the top of the axle, instead of hanging down below. Making one would be just as time consuming as trying to figure out how to make a good skid plate for them. Plus you'll get the benefit of NEVER worrying about damaging the suckers. And you'll gain a few inches of clearance under the axle shafts to boot.

"Know what I would do if I had a million dollars... 2 chicks at one time..."

DR, they are not cast iron, they are cast steel. As for rear diff protection, I don't care for the u-bolt mounting system, although, it's tough to get around, I am working on something for them right now that will not use u-bolts, but rather straight bolts in a different manner.

As for recessing the bolts on the skids, that does not keep them from shearing, it will help keep them from being smacked on rocks and breaking the heads off, but the factory bolts are HORRIBLE, i have broken several just taking my stock skid off. They need bigger bolts.
Greg

quote:

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Originally posted by Desert Rat:
Don't want to weld it on....that'd be welding steel to cast iron in the case of the 3rd member, plus the plates don't have holes for the drain plug

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UQAuA*IZok9fHvgSdwM9nHgTRGwCnkl8OlALuORwKdds47tK!mp!8go2sCg9*XaWL2687Wm59RHWFLhnT3qVF0aZ0qidFWUoMduEL7HqSpFBBRtjk4ZkTP6U6tJVV0jF/rollsig.jpg
1998 Frontier 4x4, 2002 Xterra 4x4, 1983 280ZXT, and a ratty old Sentra
_Remember, Grow the Nissan Community and stand up for ORV user rights!_
Card Carrying M.E.S.A Member (Modified Easterly SWANKy Associates)

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www.shortysoffroad.com
shortysoffroad@yahoo.com
Nissan products on the way!
Go to the website for some pics of my truck.

My mistake.


1998 Frontier 4x4, 2002 Xterra 4x4, 1983 280ZXT, and a ratty old Sentra
Remember, Grow the Nissan Community and stand up for ORV user rights!
Card Carrying M.E.S.A Member (Modified Easterly SWANKy Associates)

No prob DR. It's a common mistake most people(yes, including me) make all the time. I just found out recently and thought I would share the newly acquired knowledge
Greg

www.shortysoffroad.com
shortysoffroad@yahoo.com
Nissan products on the way!
Go to the website for some pics of my truck.