I got a quote on nylon sheet, like cutting board material, to use as skids. I am considering getting two 2' x 4' sheets. Considering either 3/16" or 1'4" thickness.

Anyone have any input, or is this still pioneer teritory?

Its a great idea. Steel is so heavy. I bought steel to make mine. But I dont really want more weight on there.

How much is that nylon sheet?

my concern would be the heat. It would not be cool to melt your armor. hehe I made a funny. Seriously though, is there such a thing as high temp nylon?

I don't think Nylon is the correct term. It is a heat resistent cutting board plastic type material though. Rockcrawlers use them all the time. Sometimes in place of steel, most of the time in conjuction w/steel. Cutting boards don't stick to rocks like steel and alum do!

I've consider that but you still need a frame for mount it. How about this , go steal 2 large aluminum sign. Next go to TAP plastic and they sell rolls of carbon fiber. Make a four layer skid. Top, alum, carbon, alum, and carbon.
They used this on a job I worked on. strong as hell when the epoxy dries.
I have so much 3/16" steel though I can't see spending the money myself. Eventually, that's what I would like to do.

BTW Terrance, I finally got around to logging in

quote:

Originally posted by NissanProject:
I don't think Nylon is the correct term. It is a heat resistent cutting board plastic type material though. Rockcrawlers use them all the time. Sometimes in place of steel, most of the time in conjuction w/steel. Cutting boards don't stick to rocks like steel and alum do!

Even the high temp cutting board will melt , don't ask. I think that was with an oven setting of around 400F. Maybe a hybrid of both that and some steel for heat shields.

Welcome aboard Xteror1

quote:

Even the high temp cutting board will melt

Wasn't saying it wouldn't, but it would be more than enough unless the exhaust fell right on top of the plastic. We're not running alcohol powered 1000 hp trucks here !

Nylon is good to about 300ºF. It will be below the exhaust and centered along the bottom of the frame, while the exhaust routes above the cross members along the left side.

3/16" thick is in the neighborhood of $150 while the 1/4" thick is around $175.
I was thinking that one 2 x 4 sheet would do along the middle while steel would be used on the front portion. I may even go with two sheets and run Nylon from the bumper to the back of the t-case.

I want something that will benefit me on muddy woods trails and logs as well as rocks. I also want something light and easily removed for cleaning. I would probably leave them off during the week.

It seems pricy, but the advantages may outweigh (pun intended, Bill) the cost.

Maybe you all want DELRIN or HDPE.
Nylon might be a little too flexible.

Delrin is what I was trying to think of. Stronger, more heat resistent.

There is a guy on vaxc.org that used sheets from a old subway. His screen name is Xface (Dan) Talk to him I think he is running them on his Xterra.

Where can you find Delrin? This is kind of interesting, could come in handy in the future.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=delrin++hdpe+sheets+suppliers&btnG=Search

That's a good link, Bille. I looked here. Their Delrin is comparable to the nylon quotes that I got. I'm going to research it a bit more.
Delrin is definitely tougher. It is available in white or black. I would go with white.

I sent them an email telling them what I want to do and asked for recomendations.

quote:

Originally posted by ZmagDnim:
Where can you find Delrin? This is kind of interesting, could come in handy in the future.

Try Precision Plastics, Inc. 301-937-1317 or Total plastics inc. 410-483-1122

No personal experience with eaither, just what a google search brought up. Might try asking on Maryland Creepers forum, I know a few guys have done plastic skids.

Plenty of info about this on pirate tons of comp rigs use it. The cool thing about using oil impregnated plastics is that as you scratch up their surface on the rocks, they actually slide over easier the next time.

3/16 and 1/4 is way way too thin to support a truck, look at 3/4 or 1". Maybe 1/2 if you plan on bracing the back of it with metal ribbing.