Hey Gang!

While waiting this morning for the UPS man to show up with my steering stabilizer I installed my Fabitrion skid plate.

For those of yopu that haven't done it or are considering getting one here is all it takes to get it in. Well, first you gotta order one and they are only doing COD or AmerExpress. It was $113.00 Cod'd to Tacoma, WA.

Then you might have to loosen the bolts one the ARB as mine was cinched together when bolted to the frame! Once unbolted the bottom bar slipped in and I retightened the ARB. The you'll have to drill four 5/16" holes for the skid it self and two 3/8" holes for the lower bolts. Getting the nuts on the backside of the skid is a real pain in the butt!! I have Mongo size hands and arms so that compounds the problem!

But I think having this skid is necessary!

-Rick

FYI:
If you have the fabitron ARB skid on, the Skid Row front plate is a real treat to install. I am going to go with an ARB skid that is easier to remove just for that reason. Oh and I am still running around without my SR plates ... nice and light! I will be sticking em back on before the Naches run though so I can get STOOPID! :D

Remind me to crawl under yours and look at what you are talking about! Before you get STOOPID!

See you in 17 days! ;)

That looks sweet.
Thanks for the install advice.

Originally posted by Mosi
Oh and I am still running around without my SR plates removed... nice and light!

Huh? Nice sentence sucka.


:bonghitte

$113.00 :eek:
Aluminum? Does it flex easy? I'd be afraid of ripping the plate off.

I'm glad I have all this 1/4" thick aluminum sitting here in my office free for the taking.:D

hmmmm, aluminum might be too weak. I think I'll just bolt some 3/16" steel plate to the bottom of my ARB as soon as I get it install. Praying it arrives by this weekend, but it probably won't get here until next weekend. :devil:

Here is another shot of the skid. $25.00 of that price was shipping and COD fee!

Originally posted by Philosopher


Huh? Nice sentence sucka.


:bonghitte

Hey maaaaan.. everythings cooooool M'Kaaaaaay :cool:

Originally posted by Goliath the X
$113.00 :eek:
Aluminum? Does it flex easy? I'd be afraid of ripping the plate off.


Remember its primary purpose is to keep debris from damaging your radiator not as an actual skid. The ARB rails it mounts too are for supporting weight.

Originally posted by Schludwiller


Remember its primary purpose is to keep debris from damaging your radiator not as an actual skid. The ARB rails it mounts too are for supporting weight.


The ARB skid plate that Goth came up with is great, highly recommended. You could sit all the front weight of the truck on it ... as a matter of fact, I have. :)

mosi,

today i found out what you are talking about with the front skidrow skidplate and the fabitron skid. pain in the ass.

Originally posted by Philosopher



The ARB skid plate that Goth came up with is great, highly recommended. You could sit all the front weight of the truck on it ... as a matter of fact, I have. :)

Thats what I'm talkin' about!!!

I'm not worried about deflecting a stray pebble bouncing down the highway, I want protection for when tall rock gets in the way or a 6" thick slab of ice come at my radiator.

I'll be going with the proven protection of steal (just incase):D

I decided that the three bottom bolts holding the support off the bottom of the Fabitron skid hung down to low. So, I bought some countersunk fasteners the same size. I know the slots are elongated but I installed them anyway. I'll be drilling two more holes inbetween the three slotted holes and countersink those two fasteners completely flush.

The reason I am doing all of this???? The three bolts Fabitron put in are about 7/16 of an inch tall! They would easily be mangled if I hit a maximum angle of approach with the Xterra. I'll have more pics later this week to explain all!

This also shows how the Rancho SS looks, purchased from 4X4parts.com.

Originally posted by rrdstarr


This also shows how the Rancho SS looks, purchased from 4X4parts.com.

Was it a straight bolt-on or did you have to modify it?

I did modify the carrier that attaches to the centerlink. It wasn't much but I removed about a 1/8" of material from the upper and lower portions so it would clear the oil filter AND the front pumpkin.

Originally posted by rrdstarr
I did modify the carrier that attaches to the centerlink. It wasn't much but I removed about a 1/8" of material from the upper and lower portions so it would clear the oil filter AND the front pumpkin.

Thanks for the close-up pic. That is a very tight fit.

I noiticed last week when I was cleaning up the truck that was about and 1 1/2 of mud and goop tucked up inside the Fabritron skid! So today when I was installing the Ski Row front two skid plates I drilled some relief holes in the Fabritron to drain all that crap out. Aluminum doesn't rust but it does eventually corrode away.

Looks great!

Now you have two places to carry around extra mud :)
The skids are well worth the cash and extra weight.
Many times I would have been unhappy without them.

When I mounted my skid plate, I had so much trouble with the nuts at the back that I tapped the holes in the ARB and just bolted directly to the ARB. Now it is so easy to take the skid plate off when I need to.

Richard

Nice STREET tires Rick! :finger:

My dentist told me not to drive my Swampers on the street! So for all you who drive A/T's everyday! :flipa:

Originally posted by rrdstarr
My dentist told me not to drive my Swampers on the street! So for all you who drive A/T's everyday! :flipa:

Then you better change that signature of yours to include,

"Puny street tires 90% of the time"

:p