LCA Skid Plate

[mawardjr]

Well my first fabrication project is underway. I'm attempting to build some LCA skid plates for my ZJ and here are a few progress pics. I started with the driver side LCA ...

raw materials - 12"x12"x1/4" plate and 4 u-bolts. This is enough material for both sides (if I don't screw something up).
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268LCASkidPlate_001-med.jpg

Left tab welded on
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268LCASkidPlate_002-med.jpg

Test fit before bending the bottom up. Excess threads on the u-bolts will be trimmed off when done.
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268LCASkidPlate_003-med.jpg


I cut about 1/2 way thru the plate to get it to bend
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268LCASkidPlate_004-med.jpg

Welded the cut for the bend
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268LCASkidPlate_005-med.jpg

Bottom trimmed off
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268LCASkidPlate_006-med.jpg

Be easy on welding comments ... this is my first fabrication project and still learning to weld.

As I get more done, I'll post back here.

[gmbtj]

lookin' good Mike W! Now me make some. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Paul E]

Who cares what the welding looks like as long as it works. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Looks good. I could use some on my TJ since I'm still stock. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[mawardjr]

True. I guess I'll find out at some point if the welds are good or not.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Don]

Mike, once those LCA skids are installed, you will look like a Master welder to us /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif

[IndyXJ]

They can double as skis too! Those are beefy and will take a beating!

[mawardjr]

Well minus painting & cutting off the extra thread on the u-bolts ... driver side skid is done.

Two tabs to help prevent it from rotating backward
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268Driver_LCASkidPlate_011-med.jpg

A shot from the rear. You can see that the tabs rest against the nut/bolt on the LCA
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268Driver_LCASkidPlate_010-med.jpg

A shot from the front
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268Driver_LCASkidPlate_008-med.jpg

And finally the test ....
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268Driver_LCASkidPlate_012-med.jpg


Nothing exploded when I jacked it up so that is a good sign. On to the passenger side .....

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
Well minus painting & cutting off the extra thread on the u-bolts ... driver side skid is done.

Two tabs to help prevent it from rotating backward

A shot from the rear. You can see that the tabs rest against the nut/bolt on the LCA


Nothing exploded when I jacked it up so that is a good sign. On to the passenger side .....

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey Mike, do a write up on these and include messurements, and materials list. I want to build a set (actually have them built as I don't weld) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tu.gif

[mawardjr]

heh heh ... you said include measurements .. heh heh ...

I'll see what I can do.

[mawardjr]

Well I finished up my LCA skids.

Here are the finished plates before paint http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268LCAs_finished-med.jpg

After paint
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268LCAs_painted-med.jpg

Some general measurements ..
Passenger side skid
Main section that rests on axle is ~6 3/4" wide x ~6" tall
Section under control arm is ~1 1/2" deep
Top tab is ~1" tall
Tabs that rest under LCA bolt are ~1 1/2" tall

Driver side skid main plate is ~6" x ~8"
Other measurements are approximately the same.

Hardest part was on the passenger side skid. Making room for the trackbar and tab that comes off the trackbar bolt.

[Don]

Nice....... Mike. I am going to have to get a welder. However, I'll wait until I have a Professional Certifide Welder (my Daughter's BF) to teach me how and what to weld.
It almost seems that a welder would come as standard equipment with every Jeep /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Landon]

Boy Don, wouldn't that be nice. A welder with every Jeep....I like that. Don for Chrysler CEO!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
Boy Don, wouldn't that be nice. A welder with every Jeep....I like that. Don for Chrysler CEO!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL.... I don't want the job..... I just want the paycheck that goes with this job.

Have you ever wondered why Jeeps don't come better equipped ? Somethings like putting only D44 in would cost a few extra $$ so I can see Jeep cutting corners. However, wheels with 3.75 inch backspacing versus 5.5 inches probably would not cost a penny extra. Why not put 4:11 gears in all Jeeps.... wouldn't cost any extra, would it?

[gmbtj]

because they want us to suffer and give them more money in the future.

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
because they want us to suffer and give them more money in the future.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL, good theory, but they don't make the after market wheels /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Matt]

I think the reason is just most folks buy Jeeps for transportation. Remember when the Wrangler tires from the factory were an agressive tread pattern? Well no more!The mfg's are not going to put wheels on that can put more stress on the wheel bearings, nor are they going to use wider axles to allow the use of wider and taller tires because that will stress the drivetrain, and that will also cause other mechanical failures which they dont want to warrantee. As far as the axle ratios go, I do beleive that those were always an option, but those sales people for the most part dont have a clue, just sell what we have attitude.Also fuel consumption comes into play, and they have to keep that as high as they can. All in all the options from the factory are for comfort, and convienence, except the Rubi package, which more than likely is going to be as far as they will go relitive to off-roading. Once again its warrantee, and liability issues.

[mikea]

great job Mike. Looks good

[mawardjr]

Thanks guys. It was a fun project.

Here are the final shots with them mounted.

Passenger side -
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268passenger_LCA_mounted-med.jpg

Driver side -
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15324/268driver_LCA_mounted-med.jpg