Skid Plate update
So, I have made some progress over the last year in this regard, and thought I'd get around to sharing.
I picked up a 4'x8' sheet of 3/16", and with the help of my uncle (a professional welder with over 25 years under his belt...who has been tutoring me on the metal fabrication arts for a few years now) we have built a 2-piece skid...with material to spare to someday skid the Transfer Flow tank as well.
As most reading this well know the stock skid is not only thin sheet metal (although mine was missing entirely when I purchased the truck), it really only covers the front diff. So I have set out to design and build something that provides protection all the way past the transfer case.
I built it in 2 pieces. The front skid now protects not only the front diff, but also the engine oil pan. The 2nd skid will cover the transmission pan and transfer case.
We spent a lot of time fitting up the front skid just right, and I could not be more pleased with the end result. I can climb under the truck and remove or install the skid within 5 minutes, by myself, in my driveway, as it rests on the tires. No slotted mounting holes either. I built an access panel for the oil filter cartridge, and notched an area to drain the oil. I have had it mounted up since September, but fortunately have not really put it to the test.
We built a crossmember for the back mount portion of the 2nd skid. I still have to do some finishing touches before I will be happy with the overall fit and finish before painting it. We gusseted it up nicely with plenty of clearance along the transmission pan.
Hopefully next spring/summer I'll get the Transfer Flow tank skid built. My original intent was to build sliders as well for whatever Tundra I got, but I am really torn with the AMP steps that are on this truck. I would not have bought them, but they were already on the truck, and being vertically challenged...frankly they have spoiled me. I will never wheel this truck like I did my Taco...it's just too big for that.
