[chris_mac]

i decided to add a cheap insurance to my t-case and made a skid plate covering t-case completely. it costed me $36 for a 5mm plate and $51 for 8 high tensile bolts, flat, spring washers and nuts and few $ for cutting and grinding discs. professional and neat welding was done by BlueSuzy.

i needed 400 by 800-850 5mm thick plate and found a perfect off cut in steel supply shop - 5mm steel checker plate 405x900mm.

they asked $90 for pressing the plate to a shape, too much.

i grinded four groves across the plate with 5mm thick disc and bent it to shape.







i cut plate to shape and dimension i needed and cut two groves along for front and back bend and cut off corners



corners cut off:



plate ready for welding:



big thanks for Tim for neat and professional welding job:



all cleaned and ready for painting, hole in a plate cut for passenger side t-case chassis bracket and holes and holding plates ready:





painted with primer:





view from the front:



view of the inside, its about 5mm clearance between plate and rocktoy ring:



view from the rear:



passenger side:



drivers side:

[monley]

nice.

im in the stage of fabbing one up for my jimny.

[whincup]

very nice. only problem i can see is being that shape its going to catch (and hold) mud, water, or anything else you drive through.

Edit: nevermind, just realised the holes in the corners are for that... very neat and professional looking

[sleeperzook]

I've been thinking of doing something similar, so I might just have to give it a go now. I guess if I was being picky (or lazy lol) the only thing I'd say could be added is a drain hole for the T/case oil. Although obviously removing the bash plate is an easy option also. Nice job!!

[atari4x4]

that's sweet, 11/10

[weaves]

That looks awesome.

sleeperzook wrote:

I've been thinking of doing something similar, so I might just have to give it a go now. I guess if I was being picky (or lazy lol) the only thing I'd say could be added is a drain hole for the T/case oil. Although obviously removing the bash plate is an easy option also. Nice job!!

wouldn't worry me as i would have to take the plate off to refill the case anyway

[appsie]

good job mate,well done should do the job well

have been starting to plan something for the case on my zuk too.just gotta finish my rear locker first

[BlueSuzy]

Nice welding.

[chris_mac]

BlueSuzy wrote:

Nice welding.

yeah i know, im lucky a good welder did a good job for me:) thanks

thanks guys for comments, as for draining the oil, it's possible (i have hexagonal head drain plugs not typical ones), but will be messy, however no problems with refilling it, enough room for a 1l bottle with flexy funnel im always using to do it. i see no point in it though. its just 8 bolts and plate is off. i changed oil in t-case before i bolted the plate anyway. i kept the plate small enough so can still grease jack, front and rear shaft, unlike the big skid plates i've seen on offer from yanks which i think cover the whole lot.

i probably check the drain holes in the plate this saturday, weather forecast shows rain till friday so far

[Munster]

Very nice job Chris. BTW I refitted my wrap bar on Sunday, Much better now.

[4wheeljive]

I think another candidate for the good tech section i think