Skid Plate Mounting?

[jac04]

Well, I have a skid plate off of a military model and I have been looking into mounting it on my civilian IIA 88". Does anyone know where to get the brackets/hardware required to mount this thing? Also, if anyone here is interested in it, please let me know. I wouldn't mind seeing it go to a good home where someone would actually use it. Unfortunately, my Rover spends a lot of time sitting in the garage these days.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/Land%20Rover/000_0469.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/Land%20Rover/000_0470.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/Land%20Rover/000_0471.jpg

[yorker]

That is cool- it definitely would be a worthwhile accessory. I'd love to have one on my 88. How thick is it? I was thinking of building one similar to a FJ-40's for my 88- particularly after a run in with a hidden rock last summer that bent my e-brake backing plate.

[jac04]

It is 3/16" thick. It has a slight bulge in the plate and a cut-out in the bracket to clear the e-brake. Hard to see in the pictures, but it's there.

[yorker]

If I were you I'd fit it- one episode like mine last summer and you'll see the real value in it... assuming it does extend beneath the brake.

Does it perhaps fasten to the removable cross member?

[jac04]

On the front edge, it looks like it was designed to hook on the leading edge 'lip' at the bottom of the original transmission x-member (if that makes sense). The small plate held on by the 3 bolts would then pinch this lip and hold the front edge in place. Unfortunately, my new frame has a removable x-member that isn't made the same way. I think that I can overcome that issue fairly easily. It's the back edge mounting that is going to be difficult.

Yes, it does extend under the e-brake, so it would work well. Like I said, I'm not sure what I'm going to end up doing with it since the Rover doesn't get used much these days (it covered less than 200 miles last year).

[Dav1550]

As far as the skid plate....looks as though you have every thing there.....

Yes, your correct that the leading edge of the skid plate and small flat narrow plate pinch the leading edge of the crossmember just forward the trans...and hold up the front of the skid plate.

For the rear the long angle welded onto the back of the skid plate attaches to the main frame rails by way of the 2 short angle brackets...... Originally the short angle parts were attached using 4 , 5/16" rivet-nuts set into the underside of the main frame rails..... If that's any help

Dave

[jac04]

Thanks Dave. That makes sense, but the military models must be a little different than the civilian versions. With the skid plate in position, the short angle brackets are about 1.5" from the frame rails. Not a huge problem - I can always make longer brackets or make spacers. Here are a few pics showing the test-fit:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/000_0476.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/000_0475.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/000_0473.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j126/jac04/000_0472.jpg

[Dav1550]

I believe that the skid plates are made to fit up to the 109" IIa & III chassis.... But as you mentioned it looks to be no more than a bit of spacing with make up the difference to mount it to an 88"

Though must say that's an impressively tidy underside shot of a rover and do much like the looks of the Santana front mud flaps....:thumb-up:

Dave

[yorker]

That would work perfectly- I need to fabricate something like that this summer, thanks for posting the pics! As for yours I'd recommend you keep it and eventually fit it. Even if you only do 200 miles a year. I was only 10 miles away from home when I screwed my brake backing plate all up! Hidden rocks in streams can raise hell with things unexpectedly... The D90 I was following was probably only 3" taller overall but that made all the difference in the world that day. :(

[LH Drive]

I like the cardboard oil drip floor idea.

If you don't want to keep the skid plate what would you want for it? I could use it on my series 3 and it would mount since it has the welded crossmembers.

[J!m]

I made my skid plate from 3/16 6061 T6 aluminum, and it works just fine.

I've removed it, but I am planning to re-install it again soon, as I'm planning to do a bit of forestry at a local camp soon.

Just an FYI: it doesn't need to be steel, but mine was also quite a bit longer, extending from the bell housing cross-member to the parking brake drum...

[jac04]

LH Drive - I sent you a PM.

[jp-]

Jac,

Looks like you have a Santana there. Can you please post a few photos. I love the Santana's, especially the military ones (aw hell did I say military.)

[jac04]

Actually, I only have the Santana mud flaps.:)
I debated putting them on since they are not 'correct', but, hey, if you got 'em you might as well use 'em, right?
Now, if someone could tell me exactly what AESA stands for. From what I gather, it is Astilleros Espanoles, SA. I have not been able to actually confirm this. Anyone know?

[Dav1550]

You might try these folks

www.clublandrovertt.org/modules.php?name=Forums

Por favor.... Que significa de letras "AESA" que repujan en los guardabarros del Santana ?

Grasias

[JimCT]

Aluminum has a nasty habit of sticking to rocks...stell slides over them a bit easier. And weight that low is probably not an issue.

[J!m]

I never had any problems with 6061, and it does not spark.

I have had the entire weight of the truck on that skid plate with no serious damage...

[109sixer]

Anyone know if there is a front bracket made specifically for a 109?

thanks!

[Dav1550]

Anyone know if there is a front bracket made specifically for a 109?

thanks!

It doesn't stand out and may not appear as such, but the specific front mount for a 109 is pictured in jac04 initial post..... It's not much more than a rectangular flat bar that catches the lip of the crossmember just forward the trans....


In this attached pic, the front mounting "bracket/ bar" is placed next to the wooden measure...the short angle pieces are for mounting the rear corners.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l16/Raincrow1/100_0897.jpg

[109sixer]

Thank you! That is what I needed. Just wanted to make sure the the front
bracket was the same as the original picture from the post. I must say that
it does seem too simple, but most good thing are.

I can now fabricate something to match...I've been using the plate without
the front clip ( not offroading ).

thanks for taking and posting the pic!