Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

I think when we spoke this morning I thought you were talking whole vehicle skid plates. We are making them for some vehicles but not yet in full production. These Ubolt skids are pretty easy to make and they are on my list. If someone can verify for me that the leaf springs are GM width (2.5") and the axle housing is within the realm (2.75" - 3.25") they would fit fine. I will be making them both 3/8" thick, we don't play around. The cost would be $70 -80.....a pair.

Dan Fredrickson
www.ruffstuffspecialties.com
916.600.945
Your Fabrication Parts Source

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

YEA!!! :jump:

I'll try to get under there with a tape measure this AM and maybe take some pics. :dancingbanana:

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

Well poo.. That'll learn me to get info off the FJ Forum site..

Guess I let it outta the bag I'm somewhat new to this game to huh..??

--
Rob

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

Sweet, I'll call you in a bit. Did you get the measurements I sent for the shackles?

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

Dan.. I think if you can come up with some solid fab parts for the H3 and can meet the demand, you'll be ahead of a lotta folks.. I may be wrong, but I think there are only 3 folks making Rock Rails for the H3 right now (GM, Rocky Roads and someone else I can't remember the name of has some in development). Complete Undercarage Protection.. I think that GM is about the only choice right now (but I could be wrong)..

There are a lot of folks that are really pushing the H3s into tough stuff and there's not a lot of choices yet to keep the rocks off places they aren't supposed to be.. Once again I could be wrong about that...

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

Not sure if anybody will find this update here but.....
I got some from that big place in the sky. Well, they went to all the trouble to make them and came up short. One of the main areas I think that needed protecting was the bolt for the shock. The plate starting at the back on the inside needs to be 1 inch wider tapering to about 1/2 inch at the front to get both the bolt and eliminate a shelf right at the bottom spring plate. In the second picture you can see the meat hooks I got already. I ground them off and will repaint.
Im working on the cad drawings and having the laser programmed. When I get a prototype and a cost figure I will repost. Probably Monday.

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

OK, maybe I missed it, but who exactly made those? :confused:

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

Those pictures turned out dark after uploading so I lightend them here. I added a picture that shows why all those Jeep ones somebody posted and generic flat ones will not work. Not for me anyway. This is a start but needs more width. Just a enough to protect the shock bolt head and get out past the bottom shackle plate. Without protecting that its going to get bashed up. Im thinking since a lot of people think its so easy and cheap, that I will make it strong but maybe no finish like a lot of aftermarket products. I have painted a bunch for Jeeps with rockrails. Powder coat or paint would add labor and cost. Then you can go to the hardware store and buy primer and paint any color your fancy desires. Black will work though! Now Im working on a skid for the front of the rear springs. I have already nailed one of mine! It would be nice to know when crawling over rocks that when you hear that squalling sound or a thud that it was a skid and not some mounting hardware. You'all do offroad right??

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

I agree teh front spring perch needs a skid plate
Do you have an pics yet?

Ho about a tooth from a backhoe bucket turned upside down and welded on:)

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

Quanto Dinero Pablo?

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

How much they look nice :D

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

Is AMstar shipping any product yet? I still am a little underwhelmed by the amount of aftermarket support on our beloved H3s.

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

the part number floating around here somewhere for the amstart Spring shackle skid plate. yes somebody here does them thier H3

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

So when will these be available?

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

Hey Desert Dan, Where did you pick up the skids? at a dealer? or somewhere else. How do you like them?

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

I ordered mine thru the dealer. I ahd to give the the part number and they had to Amstar to confirm.

They look great. I haven't had time to put them on yet.

Between work and moving last weekend no time for wrenching:)

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

Here's my Amstar skid plates, picked up today, got the service manual a few days ago too :D

Attachment 32555
Installation surprise follows... READ THIS: the Amstar instructions say you must remove and discard existing U-bolts and nuts, but retain the washers (:yawn: ) and replace with new GM u-bolts and nuts :confused: or void any warranty for the skids.
Is this standard procedure ?? guess I got to drive 100 miles round trip back to the dealer for that :mad: wish I knew ahead of time. ANYONE KNOW THE REASON FOR THIS? (serious replies only please)

Attachment 32556
Some powder coating on the edge of skids is already falling off, but hey, I plan to make even more come off myself.
Oh yeah, you want to know the price... skids from dealer $210 plus tax! and the service manuals from Helm $135 plus shipping! Ouch and Ouch!

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

looking forward to pics after you install them. That is wierd about replacing the u-bolt!?! Aren't you just going to replace with the same bolt? I could understand if they gave you new bolts to install, the bolts should be included for $200 bucks :mad:.

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

Actually I paid
$210.00
13.14 tax
12.00 shipping
$235.14 total for brand "A"

Im not sure the best way to handle this. Im all set up to make my version of this that actually protects the inside end of the shock bolt and the inside edge of the shackle plate. See previous pictures of how the other does not even at the $235.00 price.
It Seems brand "A" is plasma cut with rough edges and so the powder coat peels off. It peels off around the holes as well, in the box.
Mine are going to be laser cut and I will prime and paint my personal ones. To save on cost to buyers I was thinking of no finish. You can always paint any color and touch up with a spray can. If you really get in the rocks as we do here they will need touched up often.
I dont want to upset our hosts and I have seen many violations of their rules about selling products. So now what do I do? I have the pattern for the front of the spring mounts ready as well. I still need to double check packaging and shipping before I quote a price. I was going to get folks to PM me and use Pay Pal if that works out. I started all this to help folks but it may get too complicated. I want to get a feel for how many I could sell before production to get an even better price. I really dont need 40 of these sitting around. If this gets edited then I will have to figure some way to post to a web site and hopefully be found that way. Could take quite a bit of time that way. I will try to find out more and quote a price very soon. It will be less than brand "A" with the option to add the front ones. More later.
1secondwind@comcast.net

Re: Spring shackle skid plate
 

Ok, here goes. First to save time read all that other stuff and look at the pictures. I don't do this for a business. I just thought if I went to the trouble to have this done I would help others. I have already saved my shocks and mounting with mine. I saw in H2 the Rubicon run. I would like to know how the H3's made it thru that without these and what their shocks and shackles look like. I will post in H3 classifieds.