Anybody know where I can pick up some aftermarket Skid plates that will protect my Trasmission oil pan and spin on filter? Or even just skid plates in general? The chevy dealership wants $109 for the parts but More than likely they are just OEM crap.

If they are over $100 Im thinking of just picking up some solid steel and bolting it onto the frame of the truck that will cover the while undercareage (Transmission / engine oil pan) thats around ~1/4" thick with reinforced rods perpendicular to the frame and setting it up where there is a hinged door that I can swing down if need be to easily change the spin on filter.

I cant justify spending more than $100 for something thats just going to get dented / scratched up. lol

There is an outfit making full skids for our trucks but they want $2500.00 for them.

$2500? What are they smoking?!?!
So nobody else makes / sells skid plates for under our trucks? Thats kind of hard to belieave.

The dealership has them in stock, but they suggested a huge 4x4 shop out here in Denver, they said to get in touch with "Skid Row" but they only specialize in Jeep, and crappy Toyota Tacoma skid plates.

Would you spend $100+ for minimal coverage like this?

http://i1.ebayimg.com/03/i/02/7a/f6/ed_1.JPG

There is a guy that may start making then here do a search, he already made his own. Stock is better than $2500 and nothing.

mine are 1/4 inch aluminum-

I should have photos of my custom skid plate up tomorrow if I can figure how to post them. It is custom to fit the 2006 Duramax. It provides protection while still allowing access to the trans filter as well as the oil and trans drain plugs.

Don't know if there is any difference in the frame mounting points on other years. If anyone knows let me know.

Here is a photo of the skid plate I made for the Allison trans on my 2006 Duramax.

Does anyone think there is a market for these? I can produce more. What is a fair price?

There is access for the trans filter, oil drain and trans oil drain. It is an easy bolt on.

looks to be aluminum,could it be stainless,and what is the thickness?

It is aluminum and it can be 1/4 inch if needed. Stainless is not a problem but would be expensive. I haven't priced it out. How about diamond plate?

I wouldn't want a diamond plate it looks fine to me.

I am still trying to see if anyone wants one made. Those filters are so exposed. :ro)

I don't take my truck four wheeling but if a rock in the road or driving over curb will damage the filter then I could definatly see a use for your skid plate. All filters are fragile and made to work without any interuption so a dent or gouge could cause low pressure which wouldn't be good at all, also if there is a leak this could obviously have a bad outcome.

I'll have to crawl under my Duramax and see exactly how exposed the filter is and if its as bad as you say it is then I could be interested!!

As for the price?? Not knowing how mutch they cost to make and time it costs you to make them I would say $50.00 - $100.00 would get you some interested buyers. Also, I would be more interested in a 1/4 regular aluminum or stainless plate than a diamond plate skid plate. :cool:

Best of luck.

i would like 1/4 aluminum...I would pay 75 easy

Awesome, now we are generating some traffic on this issue! lol

Yeah I think a 1/4" skid plate would be excellent, maybe paint it with a couple of coats of paint so it doesnt start to rust, or if somebody has a big enough oven bake it on there with a powder coat. Also, I would think that it would make things more stream lined under the truck as well. But would the airflow affect cooling? Or would the skid plate affect cooling when it was idling?

I don't know if it will fit an '05 with the 8.1/Ally. If it would, then I'd be interested. I don't need SS or Diamond plate. I just want something that will take a hit and not corrode and look like crap. Lotsa snow and ice around here.

DEWFPO

I don't know if it will fit an '05 with the 8.1/Ally. If it would, then I'd be interested. I don't need SS or Diamond plate. I just want something that will take a hit and not corrode and look like crap. Lotsa snow and ice around here.

DEWFPO


x2):h

If its aluminum or stainless steel then painting would be pointless.

I think a aluminum one would sell better than a painted steel one imo

Just consider that one rock into your filter may cost you a new Allison. The owners manual states to replace the filter it is hit by a rock so they know there is an exposure problem. And that is not a warrenty item.

I paid $54 for 3/16 inch aluminum to make this skid plate. 1/4 inch would be slightly higher. This one was hand cut with a plasma cutter and hole saws. Even if I do it on the plasma table by computer it is not worth my time to produce if you feel it is worth only $50-100. Price it at a local fabrication shop and see what they would charge. I bet the bill would be well over $200. I was looking to sell at $175-200. Cheap insurance to be sure.

By the way, I towed my fifth wheel through the Rockies and Yellowstone this July with this skid plate and did not notice any trans cooling problems. There is plenty of room for airflow.

So I called around today to and asked a few Steel mills for some prices. This was just for a square piece of sheet metal too. (Do these prices seem high??)

1/4" Thickness
48"x48" 36"x36"
$145 $81.30

3/16" Thickness
48"x48" 36"x36"
$100 (Out of stock)


Glad to know that there wernt any cooling or airflow problems.
Im going to call around for some more metal prices and see what they go for. I think that there is a Market for aftermarket skid plates on trucks.

Just consider that one rock into your filter may cost you a new Allison. The owners manual states to replace the filter it is hit by a rock so they know there is an exposure problem. And that is not a warrenty item.

I paid $54 for 3/16 inch aluminum to make this skid plate. 1/4 inch would be slightly higher. This one was hand cut with a plasma cutter and hole saws. Even if I do it on the plasma table by computer it is not worth my time to produce if you feel it is worth only $50-100. Price it at a local fabrication shop and see what they would charge. I bet the bill would be well over $200. I was looking to sell at $175-200. Cheap insurance to be sure.

By the way, I towed my fifth wheel through the Rockies and Yellowstone this July with this skid plate and did not notice any trans cooling problems. There is plenty of room for airflow.

I agree with what you say JeepTrix but that $200 would be for a one-off piece from a small shop. In my experience, if I told the shop I wanted 20 or 50 or 100, the price would be much better. They'd set up a jig and punch them out fairly quickly.

As well, most decent sized shops pay far less than you or I would for the same piece of stock, especially when bought in bulk.

No arguments, just an observation.

DEWFPO