Front Skid Plates

That looks weird. I’d want to make sure those surfaces mate up flat to the frame. Otherwise that bolt is going to be taking some unnecessary stresses. Also, if it’s not flat, the edge in contact with the frame will hammer a dent into the frame with the first big hit. That deformation would also move the angle of the welded nut, making fitting any other skidplates a problem in the future. Test fit it before painting!

 

Powder coating is far better in general for durability than liquid coat. That said theres variables

1. Base powder you buy is garbage with poor mechanical properties
2. Base powder applied over improperly cleaned and pretreated metal.

Most of the peel failures are due to no conversion coating over the base metal. Some shops just shot blast and dont use iron phosphate or chromates. Conversion coating based on base metal aluminum or steel.

CAT for example powder coats their mining equipment and construction equipment. That stuff rarely ever peels in the field.

Find a better shop to apply it. Most applicators are clueless.


For skids I run mixed aluminum and steel set from RCI, full including transfer case, gas and rear diff. The aluminum stuff is good for a hit or two then galls abit. So far so good. I dont drive on alot of rocks so aluminum to save weight up front is ok.

 

@LaHh @McSpazatron

So finally got around to test fitting the C4 IFS skid. Holes all line up so the cockeyed slots in the vertical struts is not an issue.

However when I get everything bolted up and snug the vertical strut that is 90 degrees mates up with the crossmember perfectly and there is no gap.





The vertical strut that is canted forward makes contact with the rear part but I can see the bolt plain as day when everything is tight because it isn’t flush flat against the cross member because of the tilt.





What do you guys think? I don’t want the bolt taking all the stress and shearing off if I hit the skid on rocks. Granted it is a grade 8 bolt.

Would you guys ask for a replacement from C4?

 

I certainly would have contacted C4 regarding the canted portion. There is no reason it should be that way. I'd have sent them your photos by now.

 

I wanted to get pictures first of everything tightened down to make a case.

 

Seems like you have everything needed now.

 

I hadn't considered that stock skids spread out the force of impact a bit more, instead of transferring it to other components, thanks.

I went with RCI steel, because I was worried about hitting something hard enough to penetrate the stock skid.

 

Hot damn. I didn’t even ask them for anything in the email just making them aware.

I had emailed C4 with the pictures and just got a call from them. They are fabricating a new one to ship next week and sending a return label for this one.

I gotta say that is customer service and a company that stands behind their product.

Color me impressed.

 

That front skid looks different than mine, is that the kdss version?

 

It is. I had the same one in aluminum.

 

It’s nice when a company takes care of it’s customer