How to make a skid plate?

[ZM Blue Devil]

and yet we wonder why companies make so few products for the E30.

for the records, installed and or sold dozens of raceskids. The only issues we have seen is when engine mounts shot and oil pan sitting on pan.

There are other options but just keep in mind, more you reinforce more likely is damage is going to go somewhere else... If you are breaking a raceskid nothing is going to save you.

[Vivek]

I'm working on making one right now (sorta). It's just gonna be two bars covering the pan, not a full plate. Because 95% of the time you'll hit a big dip or bump in the road that'll be pretty wide, not a 5" wide rock.

[e30BMart]

lol :p that's true.. But for those of us that can last a year without banging their pan it's better to build yourself.. Not to mention building only costs like 20$ for the same result as paying ejnight 165$ plus shipping. (no offense ejnight you make a good product and make a profit, fine) but If I feel I can make something in one night myself easily and save 145$ plus shipping ...... its an easy decision for me =d

[Vivek]

It's worth it if that $200 part stops you from replacing your $200 part on a weekly basis.

[e30BMart]

They cost money for a reason. $200 is not much when it comes to something that will protect you from a crushed oil pan

200$ to protect a 200$ part... seems like it is a bit much. Would you pay 60 000$ to insure your new BMW?

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[irish44j]

thats why they cost money, research and development. gotta pay to play. either buy someone elses hard work, or do the work yourself.

EDIT: oops, didn't realize this thread was from last year....

get a big box.

cut it up into a big sheet of cardboard

make a template

cut the metal (or get someone to cut it)

This cost me $8 to make - for the stainless nuts and bolts holding it to the car. Made out of scrap steel. Not super-heavy duty for true off-road use, but perfectly sufficient for a DD or rallycross. It's 14ga steel, with a pair of 14ga "stiffeners" in the middle where I expect any hits to be taken. Next year I'll re-make it in some heavier-duty stuff perhaps.

[ejnight]

You quoted 225 to canada... I don't think it's 60$ shipping for a plate. 180 shipped I would be interested in seriously considering.

USPS is the cheapest way. you have paypal fees as well, they are 4% from canada.

[e30BMart]

Mine are only $165 to members

You quoted 225 to canada... I don't think it's 60$ shipping for a plate. 180 shipped I would be interested in seriously considering.

[ejnight]

I'm about to drop my car with the gb JOM coilovers and want to buy a skid Plate but can't seem to find one under 200. Seems like a bit much IMO. I do work in a body shop And have access to about anything I would need to fabricate my own. However the dilema is I would need a decent diagram with measurement and/or an actual skid plate. This should be a fairly easy project with some basic welding skills. It would make a really cool how to thread as well. Any takers?

Mine are only $165 to members

[e30BMart]

nevermind found it

By burton2010 at 2011-11-19

[e30BMart]

Wasn't there a diagram in this thread with measurements on where to fold a piece of steel to make a homemade plate? Did that get deleted or am I confusing that with another thread?

This! I cant find it one my computer and now its gone from here?

[Gooch]

Wasn't there a diagram in this thread with measurements on where to fold a piece of steel to make a homemade plate? Did that get deleted or am I confusing that with another thread?

[Kershaw]

take a tape measure, get some rough measurements. make sure to be generous. get some cardboard, cut it to those measurements. then, fit and trim. once you have it how you want it, use the cardboard as a template for the steel.

it's not that hard.

[bastianshaw]

what are you guys running spring wise that you are this low?

[Hey_You]

profit is not a dirty word, if everyone sold stuff for what it costs to make it we'd all be broke

I agree with this. If you are too cheap/broke to buy it from someone else for what they are asking, Make it yourself? Tools cost money, it takes tools to make these things. Feel free to go out and buy yourself a nice drill/bits/metal break (or torch to heat the metal to bend it). By the time you do this, you will probably wish you had just bought the skid plate. Everyone wants everything for free now days, but those same people never want to give anything away.