Opinion's on the best material for Belly pan?

02Jimmy · Jan 20, 2015

Ready To build the Skid plate, I was thinking aluminium? I have been seeing some run the Plastic? Suggestions... If it matters all tube bouncer chassis

greenlion · Jan 20, 2015

3/16" AR plate.

hokie_yj · Jan 20, 2015

I plan to run 3/8" or 1/2" uhmw plastic backed with 1/8" aluminum.

zukimaster · Jan 20, 2015

greenlion said:
3/16" AR plate.

This! AR 400 is what they make the buckets and blades out of for heavy machinery, its kinda high, but it will break before you bend it! I had a 1/4 thick steel with 1/2 uhmw on mine when I first built it, after a few rides, it was bent up almost touching the bottom of the transfer case, changed it to ar400 with no plastic, and beat the hell out of it, and looks just like it did the first day!

02Jimmy · Jan 20, 2015

AR400? I assume the 400 is the gauge or thickness? Thanks

85toyo · Jan 20, 2015

No it's the type of steel.

DirtMonkey · Jan 20, 2015

I was set on 3/8" UHMW backed by AL on my next build, but this AR400 has my interest. Sick rig BTW!

John Galbreath Jr. · Jan 20, 2015

Both of mine have 1/4" aluminum. Works well for me. Last one had 1/4" steel plate. Way too heavy. Then changed it to plastic with metal ribbed backing. But, beat it up pretty bad in the two years before we built Solo Buggy. 38 Special has countersunk allen bolts, Solo Buggy has 9/16 hex heads. I had had to replace both styles. Hex head is easier to get off when buggered up. Have had to grind a slot in the hex head countersunk to remove before.

yankster · Jan 20, 2015

1/2" aluminum on both of ours has held up well to the rocks in the northeast.

drivermod · Jan 20, 2015

I prefer steel over aluminum. It just seems to slide off of rocks better. Yeah its heavy but at least its down low. Also recessed bolts for a nice smooth bottom.

infamous1 · Jan 20, 2015

Re:

1/2 aluminum on mine and has help up well down here in the south also.

Mr. leafspring · Jan 20, 2015

1/2[ 6061] FOR ME SO FAR SO GOOD booyang

croes · Jan 20, 2015

1/2" UHMW backed with 1/8" steel

Toddy · Jan 20, 2015

Check into 7075 alum

Gotpropane · Jan 20, 2015

AR plate is stupid strong. It's almost slippery over the rocks. We just weld ours on because even drilling a hole in it is no joke.

billstoy · Jan 21, 2015

Toddy said:
Check into 7075 alum

I run 1/4 " alum. But I would try this in 1/4".

HotwheelsYJ · Jan 21, 2015

Re:

3/16 AR400 is what I plan on running. We machine & weld thick AR plate all day long making excavator buckets @ work. Its badass stuff

crawlin85cj · Jan 21, 2015

3/16" AR or 3/8" aluminum. Both work well

2010 Jim's Garage 4429
2012 Jim's Garage YJ
2013 Wide Open Design WFO

5onrocks · Jan 21, 2015

1/8" steel with angle ribs covered with 3/4" uhmw. Plastic is held on with countersunk allen heads but my skid plate is designed where it is bolted to the chassis on the sides. Only one boogered bolt in two years.