Calmini fuel tank skid plate

[Toy Man]

I see Calmini has announced their fuel tank skid plate.
http://www.purenissan.com/fuel_tank_skid.htm
$189.00

[rrdstarr]

Toy Man, this was announced last Thursday on XOC. Some people like it, some favor the SkidRow design better.

[Toy Man]

Hard to keep up with all of the Xterra news.

I will visit the XOC thread.

Thanks

[Schludwiller]

Rick, this is a knowledge base for Xterra 4x4's not a contest on who first posted what and where. Nobody has posted here about the Calmini skid so I appreciate ToyMans post.

So does anyone have thoughts about the skid they want to share?

[rrdstarr]

Schlud, Didn't mean anything derogatory. Just stating where I found out the info is all.

I know that the zinc finish is more durable than powder coating. Grade 8 hardware is zinc plated and it lasts a lifetime!

[Schludwiller]

No Worries.

I don't want people here to be told "use the search engine" (although check the one out here, it's really fast). Or that info has already been discussed somewhere else (unless you're doing it in a helpful manner like above). It just turns people off in general and if there isn't a thread going then we should start one on that topic. Building info is the main priority.

Also it's not a big problem if duplicate threads start on this board. It's very easy for me to merge the two, or delete one if it's not going anywhere.

[ChuckH]

I like the Skid Row plate much better and here's why:

The Skid Row plate has taller sides and they are connected at all 4 corners. The Calmini is open at the corners and the sides are short. I feel that this will significantly compromise strength on the Calmini from a torsional standpoint and also in terms of resting on the skid, and the open corners could allow something to jam into the tank through those open spots.

The Skid Row plate is angled on the front edge. The Calmini comes forward and then goes straight up at a 90 degree angle. I think this makes the Calmini more vulnerable to a forward impact that could shear the bolts, damage your frame, or even damage the gas tank. The Skid Row with the angled front is more likely to just slide over the obstacle. It's kind of like the difference between the left and right spring hangars! One gets hung up and stops you suddenly and the other usually slides up and over.

Finally, the Skid Row plate is black and I only want black undercarriage parts!

[warmonger]

I can tell you after beating the living @#$% out of my Waag that powder coating can't take a day in Tellico! But if you prefer a skid plate (or any other part for that matter) that has powdercoating, just blast it and repaint it. It will make it easier to repair after you beat it to death on the trail. I will be receiving my new rear bumper from CalMini at the end of the month and since it is coming in powdercoated, I will blast it and repaint it to match my current color scheme. The problem I have had with powder coating is that it doesn't chip, it breaks. When it comes off, it comes off in chunks. I would rather have paint that chips and is easier to repair.

As for the corner thing, keep in mind mud. A closed skid plate traps mud and rusts parts. If you don't play in the mud, it isn't an issue. But if you do, you may have to compromise some integrity for the sake of your vehicle. I can't say which is better since there are no rocks in Florida. But based on my off-roading, I would have to choose the CalMini due to its easier cleaning ability. It is just a matter of how you off road and what you feel you need.

[VaderX]

I spoke to steve at calmini recently and he gave me some info on a lot of his products. The pictured skid plate is not the final production piece. The final piece which is now being built does have an angled front similar to the skid row design so that sliding over rocks will be a lot easier. That is gonna be the only major difference between the pictured and final version.

I have the skid row gas tank plate and I can tell you that it does catch a lot of sand, dirt and mud. I don't mind too much stiking a hose in there and flushing most of that stuff out but if you don't do this regularly I am sure it can become a problem.

[Toy Man]

How much does the SkidRow fuel skid plate weigh?

Calmini says theirs is made out of 1/4" steel and weighs about 32 pounds.

[gothamist]

Originally posted by Toy Man
How much does the SkidRow fuel skid plate weigh?
Calmini says theirs is made out of 1/4" steel and weighs about 32 pounds.

On their website it says 3/16" steel. Which is the real number, do you know?

The Skid-Row plate is a bit heavier than that, but I'm not sure the exact number, I can try and find out though.

I haven't had any problems w/ mud/gunk getting trapped between the plate and the gastank, but I also don't mudbog my X very often...give me rocks (and the occasional stream/river crossing) or give me pavement!

[VaderX]

The skid plate is 3/16 inch just like the front bumper. I think that is calmini's standard thickness of material.

[gothamist]

Here's a pic of the Skidrow plate next to the stock skid.


VaderX--yeah, that's what I thought, but I was just curious if maybe Calmini had changed their design to thicker steel after we all pointed out we're not crazy about the design (although I think many of the people who REALLY need this plate already have bought the Skidrow version, but there's always the next bumper crop of crazy X'ers...)

[Toy Man]

On their website it says 3/16" steel. Which is the real number, do you know?

I received an email stating 1/4" but I suspect 3/16" is probably correct.

[Philosopher]

Originally posted by warmonger
As for the corner thing, keep in mind mud. A closed skid plate traps mud and rusts parts. If you don't play in the mud, it isn't an issue. But if you do, you may have to compromise some integrity for the sake of your vehicle. I can't say which is better since there are no rocks in Florida. But based on my off-roading, I would have to choose the CalMini due to its easier cleaning ability. It is just a matter of how you off road and what you feel you need.

Huh? How do cut-outs on the sides of the skid plate (Calmini) help drainage more than cut-outs underneath (Skid Row)?