Aluminum Skids from Bud Built!

[Overland Hadley]

So the rumor is true!

Bud Built is making skids for the 05+ Tacoma in Aluminum!

Here is the email from Bud.


Ok finally poured thru all the numbers. Alum is so much more expensive but
with some quantity, we can get a better rate.
So, I'll do piece at a time, then sets. Then show some quantity discounts
that you can post up if you want. Helps everyone if we can get more. ;)

Front: $392
Mid: $413
Trans $361
Cross $99 (in steel still)
Gas $339
Total: $1604

Combo prices:
1-5 would be $1400
6-9 would be $1200
10 or more would be $1100

Weight would be about $100 for the full set ( almost half the 3/16 steel
weight)
Another option would be to make them from .12" thick steel, 1/3 weight
redux, and same price as the regular steel ones.
BUT remember: 1/2 - 1/3 less strength or more in either option. ( but you
can hammer them back if you do bend them)

Lemme know!
Thanks!
Bud
828-572-1202

If there is enough interest it would be nice to do a group buy. (If that is cool with the ExPo mods.) And if there is not enough interest, here is the info for those of us who have been wanting full aluminum underbelly protection.

[squatch]

as you know i an in! thanks for getting this rolling.

[grouch]

Just for the 05 and ups? Any plans for the older Tacos?

[slooowr6]

Got the mail from Bud as well.
@OH, Are you getting the full skid? I'm not sure if I want/need the gas skid and front skid.

[Switch]

So the rumor is true!

Bud Built is making skids for the 05+ Tacoma in Aluminum!

Here is the email from Bud.



If there is enough interest it would be nice to do a group buy. (If that is cool with the ExPo mods.) And if there is not enough interest, here is the info for those of us who have been wanting full aluminum underbelly protection.

Aluminum is lighter but also weaker. I assume that the aluminum skids are thicker to compensate so how does strength and weight compare with steel skids?

[FJLED]

From Buds Email...

"Weight ~100lbs for full set"

"BUT remember: 1/2 - 1/3 less strength or more in either option. ( but you can hammer them back if you do bend them)"

[Overland Hadley]

Are you getting the full skid? I'm not sure if I want/need the gas skid and front skid.

I will not want the gas tank skid, just the set from the front back.

[Zwoehr]

The lighter gauge steel ones sound good to me. In dealing with industrial equipment I've found that Al stuff is nice when it is new but as soon as you start to abuse it it becomes a huge pain. It is brittle and loses strength when it is deformed (you can't fix it with a hammer) I think Al skids could work well but steel is definitely going to hold up longer.

Wondering if anyone has any positives to aluminum skids besides weight savings.

[washington taco]

What is the make up of the Aluminum? 7075T6 .125" or .250?

[Overland Hadley]

The lighter gauge steel ones sound good to me. In dealing with industrial equipment I've found that Al stuff is nice when it is new but as soon as you start to abuse it it becomes a huge pain. It is brittle and loses strength when it is deformed (you can't fix it with a hammer) I think Al skids could work well but steel is definitely going to hold up longer.

Wondering if anyone has any positives to aluminum skids besides weight savings.

The lighter gauge steel might be a good way to go. (I am checking on the exact weight of them.)

[TangoBlue]

FWIW. I've had the lighter gauge steel front skids and belly pan on my 01 for 2 years now. I can attest to their lighter weight (3RZ FE) and durability -- yes, the dents bang out nicely... ask me how I know. If you're not looking to use the skids as a pivot point for rock crawling, then this is a way to protect from those errant mishaps in direction while keeping overall weight down.

[slooowr6]

The lighter gauge steel might be a good way to go. (I am checking on the exact weight of them.)

Please keep us update on what you find out, I've asked Bud what the price will be if just order the Mid and Trans.

[Overland Hadley]

I have some more info from Bud.

These weights are for the front skids, not including the gas tank skid.


Regular 3/16" thick steel 4 piece set: 133#
1/8" thick steel ( same crossmember tho ) 94#
1/4" thick aluminum ( same crossmember tho ) 74#

Bud also notes:


[the alum] will grind to dust on rocks so be careful.

I like the idea of aluminum because it does not need to be powder coated. This helps balance the added cost of the aluminum. The aluminum 4 piece set would cost only about $200 more than a powder coated steel set.

(And I think aluminum would look really nice under the rig, but form follows function.)


.

[TangoBlue]

Powder coated skid plates? On an off road vehicle? I'd pop for PC on bumpers, even sliders in a heartbeat, but skids? I'm pretty careful offroad but mine have taken a pretty good beating - I couldn't see paying all that money for PC to have it scraped off by some rocks, stumps, or whatever on the trail. Even the front is pitted down to the primer from road debris on the highway. A little cleaning and a shot of rattle-can black and I'm GTG. Please, carry on spending your money however you desire, but think of what those PC funds could go towards.

[Overland Hadley]

Powder coated skid plates? On an off road vehicle? I'd pop for PC on bumpers, even sliders in a heartbeat, but skids? I'm pretty careful offroad but mine have taken a pretty good beating - I couldn't see paying all that money for PC to have it scraped off by some rocks, stumps, or whatever on the trail. Even the front is pitted down to the primer from road debris on the highway. A little cleaning and a shot of rattle-can black and I'm GTG. Please, carry on spending your money however you desire, but think of what those PC funds could go towards.

Good point. I am thinking this through as I go.

We have 6 months of winter up here, so I worry about things rusting. If a rattle can would keep the rust away, then that works for me.

[chimyz]

Aluminum skids are awesome. I had 5mm thick full skids from Rasta4x4 on my Landcruiser. They were more than adequate, although I didn't have them long enough for a long term test comment.

I know they make them for the fourth gen 4runners and the cost is close to $900 for complete coverage. If interested in the Tacoma someone should also shoot them an email. They may just go ahead and build something up.

[xcmountain80]

I don't feel that double the price is worth the weight, fuel economy will likley not even be hindered or comparable between the two, I know w/o skids my mpg's suffer. I thought about AL but am at the other end of the Overlanding crowd as I use mine to pivot my rig. But all is not lost AL would work on a rig no problem just depends on what you want to use it for.

A

[slooowr6]

My rig is never going to see any hardcore action so aluminum works for me. I'm getting the Mid and Trans skid.

[Overland Hadley]

I'm getting the Mid and Trans skid.


Let us know your thoughts when you get them. (And some photos would be great!)

[slooowr6]

FYI, Bud also offers 1/8" stainless steel skid. Might be a good option for the long winter.

[squatch]

Well I ordered my skids today! Looked into the rasta skids but they are not making tacoma stuff at this time. Really was after aluminum for my needs. Glad to do bizness with Bud! Hope some more folks order up some aluminum skids? Hate for this to be a one off project!

[Overland Hadley]

Well I ordered my skids today! Looked into the rasta skids but they are not making tacoma stuff at this time. Really was after aluminum for my needs. Glad to do bizness with Bud! Hope some more folks order up some aluminum skids? Hate for this to be a one off project!

Nice. Did you get the full set? Post up some photos when you get them.

[kdiddy]

It seems after looking through this thread that the ideal material for skids would be titanium sheet metal. As light or lighter than aluminum, very resilient and tough, corrosion proof, no need for paint. Oh yeah, big $$$, but a one time investment.

Let's buy some titanium sheet and have Bud turn it into some sweet skids!

What say ye?

[deadbeat son]

It seems after looking through this thread that the ideal material for skids would be titanium sheet metal. As light or lighter than aluminum, very resilient and tough, corrosion proof, no need for paint. Oh yeah, big $$$, but a one time investment.

Let's buy some titanium sheet and have Bud turn it into some sweet skids!

What say ye?

Titanium is actually heavier than aluminum; it is an alloy of aluminum and vanadium. Because it is stronger than aluminum, in most applications you can use less material, hence the weight savings. I'm not sure how it would work for skids though; less material equals thinner sheet.

[soonenough]

It seems after looking through this thread that the ideal material for skids would be titanium sheet metal. As light or lighter than aluminum, very resilient and tough, corrosion proof, no need for paint. Oh yeah, big $$$, but a one time investment.

Let's buy some titanium sheet and have Bud turn it into some sweet skids!

What say ye?
Buying enough 3/16" or 1/4" Grade 2 Titanium plate to do a full set of skids would cost thousands of dollars. Add in the enormously high cost of welding titanium properly, plus the cost of the bends, the manufacturer's profit, etc, and you'd have a set of skids that basically no one could afford.

[TangoBlue]

Did anyone consider unobtanium as an alternative to titanium?

[slooowr6]

Did anyone consider unobtanium as an alternative to titanium?

Thanks to Google, I think it's best to DLC the Unobtanium to reduce friction so it not only skid but will glide over rocks. :elkgrin:

[squatch]

took awhile but my aluminum bud built skids are here! hope to get them on and share some photos. very stoked!

[TangoBlue]

It took 4 months to get you the skids?

Mine the ore; smelt the ore; process the ignot; roll into sheet; purchase the sheet; bend it to the CAD pattern; ship to you? Yeah, 4 months seems about right... :rolleyes:

[squatch]

yeah... just in time for the snow!

[sovereign]

took awhile but my aluminum bud built skids are here! hope to get them on and share some photos. very stoked!

?

[Valkiera]

:iagree:

[squatch]

sorry no camera. they are very nice and Bud is a class act!

[Wallygator]

Do you have a camera yet????:coffee:

Would really like more info on the aluminum version of Bud's skids. Is it worth the price vs. weight difference? Will they be adequate enough for someone that uses their truck daily and will not be rock crawling with their investment?

I am confused as to what I actually need when it comes to skids??? Light weight would be ideal (for fuel economy) but if one rock or stump wrecks them the first time they are needed then not so much? From the thread it looks like the aluminum are only about 50lbs. less weight. Will that make up for the difference in price by providing better fuel economy over the long haul? Will they be strong enough?

Sorry for all the questions. Just looking for someone who has these things that can shed a little more light on the subject here so to speak.:smiley_drive:

[TACODOC]

Pics!

[cnynrat]

Powder coated skid plates? On an off road vehicle? I'd pop for PC on bumpers, even sliders in a heartbeat, but skids? I'm pretty careful offroad but mine have taken a pretty good beating - I couldn't see paying all that money for PC to have it scraped off by some rocks, stumps, or whatever on the trail. Even the front is pitted down to the primer from road debris on the highway. A little cleaning and a shot of rattle-can black and I'm GTG. Please, carry on spending your money however you desire, but think of what those PC funds could go towards.


I just buy new skids whenever the powder coating gets scratched. :elkgrin:

[squatch]

Still no camera I have other optics I really need first. I will say they are nice, light,strong no paint to scratch.LOL. For me the weight savings were worth the price. Not a big rock crawling type. I do live in montana and beat around in the woods drive a lot offroad. No worries thus far and the piece of mind having any skids is nice. They look just like the steel ones only a silver aluminum color. Bud is a great guy!!! I am 6/9ths sassquatch my kind don't like cameras...