Deuce Skid Plates

[Heath_h49008]

Odd idea... and this may be silly... but I seem to remember seeing a set of unsprung rollers on a skidplate structure used to assist with high centering on an APC. (Russian I think) I can't for the life of me remember what type to find a picture.

We don't rock-crawl around these parts... the last ice age turned our rocks into gravel, morraines, eskers and drumlins.... But I have always loved seeing the rigs you folks out west build for the task.

I look forward to reading what you come up with.

 

[bill2444]

I wan't to add a skidplate from the front bumper back past the leading edge of the oil pan. I saw one like this on our countys DNR fire deuce. They used there deuce for pushing over and thru trees to make trails thru the woods for the other trucks to get in.
But first I have to get a front winch before i work out the rest of the details.

 

[Mike929]

I want to add a skidplate from the front bumper back past the leading edge of the oil pan. I saw one like this on our county's DNR fire deuce. They used there deuce for pushing over and thru trees to make trails thru the woods for the other trucks to get in.
But first I have to get a front winch before i work out the rest of the details.

Would be nice to have some Oil Pan protection up front. Do you have any pictures of the Fire Truck solution?

 

[treeguy]

Jesusgatos,
WOW - as usual great creative thinking! That is a great idea. Could you keep us informed?
What would you use for the bottom plate that bears the pulling load? (1/2"? 4140 steel?) I think that the bottom plate might have to be a bit larger in size to accomodate an adequet hole diameter for the socket used on those nuts. I'd bet there are many other spots under the deuce that a similar design could be utilized.

 

[jesusgatos]

Thanks guys, but this is nothing new. Not an original idea is what I mean.

The way it's designed right now, the bottom skidplate is 3/4" and has 1 1/2" diameter holes in it, which is a little bit larger than the socket I have, but I need to take a measurement of an impact socket to figure out what the final dimensions need to be. The rest of the plates are all 1/2" and I think I might beef-up the top plattes (that the bolts pass through) to 3/4". Probably way overkill, but this is one of those places where I really wouldn't want anything to fail.

Going to start working on oilpan protection as soon as I get the engine installed and the new winch mounts made.

 

[treeguy]

J'

What is a 1/5" diameter hole? Is that metric?

 

[jesusgatos]

hah. Guess I started to write that as a decimal..

 

[bill2444]

If I can catch somebody at the fire station I'll see if I can get some pic's. They keep it inside the garage.

 

[goatijoe]

Wonder WHY they did not have skidplates on them when they where built? Or, put on after the fact?

 

[Kenny714]

I'm thinking about a small shield to protect the fuel line behind the front bumper and the front of the oil pan.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/85399-oil-pan-skid-plate.html

 

[mikey]

I've lost two fuel tanks to Rausch Creek. I'm going to 11x20 NDT's. The extra 2.5 inches is all I'll need.

Mikey

 

[jesusgatos]

fuel tanks are definitely on the list of things I'll be building skidplates for. Side protection too.

 

[jesusgatos]

Just finished designing a new set of leafspring mounts and skidplates for the front axle. Eliminates the U-bolts (using four 3/4 x 8.5" bolts instead), which improves ground clearance considerably. Angle is adjusted for flipped leafspring perches (increasing caster). Going to make a pair and see how they work. After testing, if anybody wants a pair, will be able to make more. No idea what they might cost yet. Nothing is finalized, just wanted to share.

 

[jesusgatos]

You do anything as far as the hub steps for 5 tons yet ? Thanks, Jim

No.Someone sent me a 5-ton hub to take some measurements from, but ran into some problems with the geometry. Working on a new design now. They're going to bolt to the lugnuts. Working on 6 & 10-lug versions.

 

[Kohburn]

oooh 10 lug versions... will it be a hub step that you can wind a steel cable around to use the front axle as a self recovery winch?

 

[DeucesWild11]

I just bought a 1973 Wain Roy backhoe, when I looked under the engine it has a big cast iron grate under the engine that's angled to protect the bottom of the oil pan and such. I'll try to take a pic, maybe that will give you guys some ideas. It almost looks like a grate from a fireplace. That's a pretty good idea too if you have some welding skills!