Stainless steel gas tank skid plate

[dave_lucas]

Hi Everyone,

This is a continuation of a thread from the old board about replacement gas tank skids,
http://www.d-90.com/discus/messages/46/2032.html

As mentioned in the previous thread I was looking for a stainless replacement skid but did not find one that I liked at a decent price so I was looking into having one made for my 90, well I sent in the drawing and received my quote back today……….

3/16 Stainless Steel laser cut and formed to match the factory skid plate.
Qty
5 - 9 ~ $200.00 each

10+ ~ $184.00 each

3/16 Mild Steel laser cut and formed to match the factory skid plate.
Qty
5 - 9 ~ $180.00 each

10+ ~ $170.00 each

The prices seem reasonable to me considering the other options out there, If I can get 5 or more people that want one I am going to go ahead and take my stock skid down to the manufacturing facility so they can copy the design and get started on them.

Anyone interested?

Thanks,

Dave
:grin

[revor]

Yousef?
You need one...


Keith

[Chaucer]

I'm in.

[dave_lucas]

Ok,

So far we have 3 people that are 100% sure that they want a stainless steel skid and two that are a maybe, as soon we get 5 people that are 100% sure that they want one I will remove my gas tank skid and take it down to have the manufacturer replicate it.

Firm:
Dave L (me)
Will S
Rob G

Maybe:
Yousef
Erik

I am making a trip to the shop this week to pick up some other items so it would be nice if I could drop the skid off this week and save a trip (50 miles each way)

If you are interested post here or send me an email

[artm]

Am I wrong in saying that stainless is much less strong than steel - especially for this purpose?

I'd definitely be in for a steel one.

[dave_lucas]

First off let me say that I am not a metallurgist, so if someone with more knowledge wants to jump in here feel free to correct me if I misstate anything…..

Depending on the application/use stainless can be as strong/stronger than mild steel, here are some examples as I understand them.

Fasteners/bolts:
For use in fasteners (bolts) steel is desired over the use of stainless since due to the ductile nature of steel, where stainless is “harder” and will shear before the steel fastener will.

Flat surfaces:
In flat surfaces stainless would not bend as easy as mild steel given the same force since the stainless is less ductile than the mild steel, however due to the less ductile (harder) nature of stainless under enough stress stainless will fracture and mild steel will continue to deform, but I believe that the stress that would be needed to cause a flat plate of stainless to fracture would cause a plate of mild steel to bend to the point of tearing.

Hopefully there is a metallurgist or expert with metals lurking here that can drop in and educate us :)


Art,
I will see if I can get a mild steel one made for you at the same time as the stainless ones if you are still interested.

[chrisvonc]

Dave, I am going to move this thread to the For Sale - Parts section. Hopefully you should get some more people there looking for parts.

[dave_lucas]

Hey Guys,

Well, I removed my gas tank skid tonight and boy was it nasty :eek:

I was amazed at the amount of rust, dirt and rocks inside of that thing, anyhow I am going to drop the skid off at the shop in the morning and they will get started on the prototype, I will keep you guys updated and post a few pics when I get the prototype installed :grin

If you would like to see some pics of what the stock skid looked like I posted some here
http://www.slickrockfabrication.com/d90skid.htm

Chris,
Thanks for moving this for me, I guess I was having a blonde moment when I posted it

[loykd]

Dave, can I make a suggestion? I had a carrier fabricated from 1/4" steel plate by a local welder last year. Like you, I gave him my old (nasty, rusted) carrier to use as an example. I had him elongate the holes, because I was sure that it wouldn't line up when installed, and 1/4" steel plate wouldn't be very flexible. I was right. Unfortunately, even with the elongated holes, it didn't line up right and I had to drill one a little larger. Also, the length of the back lip is a critical dimension because it butts up against the rear crossmember (as I recall). If it doesn't fit, then the bolt holes won't line up.

If the fabricator is able to make all the carriers exactly alike, using CAM or something, I'd suggest you make sure the first one fits well before you go off and do the others. If they're all hand-made, you might want to make sure that you've got plenty of tolerance in the critical areas and elongate the bolt holes. Perhaps measure the length of the frame, the angles, and the gap between the crossmember and the back edge of the frame, so the fabricator can use that in his design.

Good luck with them. It sounds like an awesome new upgrade!

[dave_lucas]

Hi Ken,

Thank you for sharing your experience with making a skid plate, I always appreciate tips/feedback :)

I guess I should post more info on how the skids will be manufactured so everyone will have an idea of the processes that will be used and the quality that they should expect.

The facility that I use has top-notch CNC equipment, they start by make a CAD drawing of the skid plate and then they write a program for the CNC machines, this way each run/piece turns out the same, the Skid plates will be made using a CNC laser cutter, CNC punch press and a CNC press brake. (CNC laser cutters are awesome :) )

We always start out with a prototype and tweak the design until it is a good fit before I give the ok to make a batch, after all if I give the ok and it does not work I will have to eat the cost :( (at ~200.00 each that would hurt)

thanks,

Dave

[dave_lucas]

Hi Everyone,

I had a chance to test fit the prototype today and it fit very well considering this is the first pass, I will need to adjust two of the mounting holes by about .250 and tweak one of the bends by a few degrees, but after that I think the skid will be just about perfect :)

I will submit the changes early next week, and hopefully I will have the second prototype to test fit late next week, after that we can place the order.

Updated pictures of the prototype gas tank skid are posted at the following URL, scroll down to the bottom for the latest pics.

http://www.slickrockfabrication.com/d90skid.htm

thanks,

Dave

[dave_lucas]

By the way, the gas tank skid in the pictures is made out of mild steel not stainless.

[chrisvonc]

Originally posted by dave_lucas
Chris, Thanks for moving this for me, I guess I was having a blonde moment when I posted it

No problem. :)

[sgarrett]

Dave,

You can count me in for stainless.

Steve

[Red90]

There are 100s of type of stainless steel. If you want to know the strength, you will need to let us know what type is planned on being used.

[dave_lucas]

Hi John,

Currently the plan is to use 3/16 304.

[revor]

This stainless skid is far and away a better plate than what came stock on the truck…The stock 1/8” plate of say ASTM1026 (giving the benefit of the doubt) has an annealed tensile strength of 65,000PSI whereas the same plate of 304 Stainless has a tensile strength of 85,000 PSI Dave added thickness and added the benefit of corrsion resistance! The hardness of the two metals is about the same at 160 BHN…
All in all i'd say the stailess is a hands down winner... Now if we are comparing to say T1 Armor plate well that's a different story ...And Price!

Keith

[Tom Fitzgerald]

Dave,

I would like to go in for a SS plate if you're still adding to the list.

Thanks,

Tom

[Red90]

The biggest problem with using an Austenetic grade stainless in this application is the lower yield strength. Yield will be around 170MPa versus 250 to 350 for the mild steel. So it will be easier to bend (but about the same to break). The thickness increase does make a big difference. Strength increases with the square of thickness.

I should note that the 304 will probably get some surface rust. 316 should get you away from this. If you are welding, use an "L" grade.

[dave_lucas]

Hi,

I just wanted to let everyone know that the final prototype skid plate is done and fits great, additionally we have 6 people that are in so far, this means that we have enough people that we can go ahead and place the order, I will placing the order in about 5 – 10 days so if anyone else is interested in one please speak up now

Here are the people that I have a skid plate reserved for so far, please let me know if I missed your name.

Stainless:
Dave L (me)
Robert G
Erik D
Will S
Steve G
Tom F

Hot Roll Steel:
Art M

Here is the revised pricing information, as you can see I was able to get them to lower the price some on the 5 – 9 order size.

Stainless
5 – 9 $195.00 Each
10 + $185.00 Each

Payment will be due at the time that I ship the skid plates (currently I can accept Pay Pal, check or money orders)
Shipping charges will vary depending on location.

NOTE:
I am purchasing the skid plates with my money and trusting that everyone that said they wanted one will pay up.

Please feel free to send me an email with any questions you may have.

Thanks
Dave Lucas

[dboehme]

I would take deposits before ordering - please see what Art Vigil is going through with drop curtains.

[dave_lucas]

Hi Everyone,

I am going to place the order Friday the 12th, if everything works out I will try to get the skid plates shipped before Christmas :xmas

Here is the current list, if I missed anyone please let me know

Stainless:
Dave L (me)
Robert G
Erik D
Will S
Steve G
Tom F
Mike H

Hot Roll Steel:
Art M

Thanks,

Dave

[souza]

Dave,

If it's not too late, add me to the list please!

[dave_lucas]

Hi,

Just wanted to let you guys know that I placed the order Friday December 12th, they are going to try and get them done before Christmas but they are not 100% sure they will since they close down for two weeks at Christmas time.

I have the following people on the list

Stainless:
Dave L (me)
Robert G
Erik D
Will S
Steve G
Tom F
Mike H
Dave S

Hot Roll Steel:
Art M

I need everyone listed above to send me your shipping information to my email address (listed in my profile) so I can calculate shipping and give you payment details.

Additionally, since we already had 9 People I went ahead and ordered an additional skid plate to get the 10+ pricing, sooooo that means everyone that was in on this order for a stainless skid plate will be getting the skids at $185.00 + S&H :xmas

Thanks,

Dave

[dave_lucas]

someone just emailed me to let me know that my email address said it was private in my profile, I just went in and checked the box to share it in my profile :)

Sorry :blush

[Marc Weinstein]

If the final skid plate will fit my 94 NAS D90 I'd like to be in on one. Marc W. mdw168@aol.com

[dave_lucas]

Hi everyone,

I picked up the skid plates yesterday and they are packaged and ready to ship out,

Everyone that sent me an email with shipping information should have a total and directions for making payment in their email

The final price on the Stainless Skid plates is $185.00
UPS ground shipping has been running between 25.00 - $30.00 depending on location
Shipping from: 80620 Size: 24x31x8 35 lbs

I accept Pay Pal, check or money order

Have a happy and safe holiday :xmas

thanks,

Dave Lucas

Will S
I do not have your email address or shipping information so I sent you a PM, feel free to email mail me your information

Marc W
I have one extra and your name is on it :)

[souza]

Woo-Hoo!! Thanks Dave!