I need help finding SKID PLATES. Any suggestions

[superslidestyle]

I'm awaiting my tax return and would like some feedback on full under armor in the form of skid plates for the engine, tranny, a t-case.  What do you recommend and why.  So far, I'm partial towards the Shrockworks brand but I'm open to ideas.  Or if you know someone who can fab up a set for me, I can do that as well.

[XterracerX]

I believe there are only 2 available: Shrockworks & Skid Row (4x4parts.com).

A lot of XOC are partial towards Shrock due to its coverage protection, ease of installation, location of bolts, etc.

Skid Row has a decent set available and if you get the package, it comes with a rear diff armor as well.

As far as price, Shrock has a 10% off if you order at least 3 of their armor skid plates.

Skid Row's package price is cheaper (with the rear diff armor) but with the shipping charges from FL (about $100+), it comes out to a bit more.

Hope this helps!

[Bobby B.]

Shrock offers a set you can buy individually or all-together.  You can order them either from Shrock or Automotive Customizers (in FL).  Skid Row also offered plates, but I'm not sure if they're still around.

Don't forget the gas tank skid.  If you're getting them one at a time, that's a good starting point.

You can get them unpainted and do that yourself or powdercoated, which adds expense.  One thing I did before paiting was to buzz the harsh edges with a flap wheel on a 4" grinder to bevel them, as that's typically where the paint would flake off first.

If you feel like making them, it's not a difficult process, just time consuming.  You'd need to have a gas torch or plasma cutter to make that a more doable task.  Also, for the bends, you'd have to cut a notch, heat and bend, then reweld the notch.  Otherwise it'd be a nightmare process with a sawzall.

Given how the costs for steel have gone up, if you don't already have the cutting equipment, time or drive to do it yourself, it's probably cheaper in the long run to buy them. 

[Aperion]

I'm awaiting my tax return and would like some feedback on full under armor in the form of skid plates for the engine, tranny, a t-case.  What do you recommend and why.  So far, I'm partial towards the Shrockrock brand but I'm open to ideas.  Or if you know someone who can fab up a set for me, I can do that as well.

I have a feeling you can't go wrong with either one. Shrockworks makes some amazing products. I have the skid row plates and they most certainly work. Can't speak about the Shrocks but they have a good rep no matter where you go, and their sliders are beefy as hell, 50lbs each side  and definitely take the abuse.

2 Things I've heard about Shrocks, they protect the cats while the SKid rows do not. I've heard the downside is that by covering them it traps the heat in the undercarriage...

I believe there are only 2 available: Shrockworks & Skid Row (4x4parts.com).

Wasn't there a third company called BlackPanther or something like that. There was a big fiasco on XOC (I know, what's new) when someone posted up about their products. much cheaper, but it was reported not as good.

[superslidestyle]

I recently put some modified cooling vents from a 280Z on my hood so the trapped heat isn't a factor on my car.  Got them for $1.00 ea. and can be found at any junk yard.  Anyways, if there is a third company with a not-so-good product, I would rather not research it or even consider them.  I'm defintely planning on keeping this Xterra for a long time and would rather pay a little more for a quality product.

Here's a pic of the vents in case your wondering how it came out...

[xperienced]

humm interesting... How large were the holes?  I wonder if they really allow that much heat to escape.