Jaos skid plate

[Mikestang]

Anyone have experience with the Jaos skid plate (http://jaosusa.com/large.asp?catid=&theid=90)? I'm looking for something to cover up the exposed portion of the radiator and stuff up in the very front (wishing we got the full coverage there like the FJ). I'm also open to other recomendations. I saw the HDPE do-it-yourself skid, but I'm not too comfortable with the bending stress that it puts on the bolts. Downey off-road has one, too, that looks like the Jaos one, but w/out the cut-outs for radiator ventilation.

[my034runner]

Anyone have experience with the Jaos skid plate (http://jaosusa.com/large.asp?catid=&theid=90)? I'm looking for something to cover up the exposed portion of the radiator and stuff up in the very front (wishing we got the full coverage there like the FJ). I'm also open to other recommendations. I saw the HDPE do-it-yourself skid, but I'm not too comfortable with the bending stress that it puts on the bolts. Downey off-road has one, too, that looks like the Jaos one, but w/out the cut-outs for radiator ventilation.


I use the HDPE and it works absolutely GREAT!!! No issues at all. I attached mine right to the bottom of the bumper, and all the way back to the cross member just before the T-case. Joel mounted his to the bottom of his radiator, to the cross member. I chose not to do that, as I wanted some protection for the radiator and condenser.
As far as stress from bending, and the bolts, I've had none at all. This stuff is tough as nails, and I've used them quite a bit. :bigok:



Here's a look underneath My034runner, pretty good angle of HDPE skid. Oh yeah, I went with black instead of white. It just looks better! :D

http://image46.webshots.com/46/6/56/58/2945656580086613829pzFlgU_ph.jpg

[AlexJet]

JAOS is good, but expensive.
Try to build your own. It will be cheaper and custom made.

[bulldog]

Can't really see from the pics, but it doesn't look too sturdy. I don't think too highly of JOAS products for protection. I think they are more cosmetic than functional.

I have seen too many people loose those fancy front skids offroad now. From the Tacoma plates to the FJC plates they have now. The first time they see an obstacle they bend away and up. Whether it is factory or aftermarket most of those bling plates just looks good. If you want real protection look into a bullbar with that plate integrated.

Just my 2c.

[AlexJet]

Can't really see from the pics, but it doesn't look too sturdy. I don't think too highly of JOAS products for protection. I think they are more cosmetic than functional.

I have seen too many people loose those fancy front skids offroad now. From the Tacoma plates to the FJC plates they have now. The first time they see an obstacle they bend away and up. Whether it is factory or aftermarket most of those bling plates just looks good. If you want real protection look into a bullbar with that plate integrated.

Just my 2c.

:iagree
Or build your own from 3/16" or 1/4" steel.

[Mikestang]

I'm not good with metal fabing, so I wouldn't be able to do that, but I could do the HDPE thing (which I probably will now, I didn't realize these other skids are upwards of $300!).

I want to get a real front bumper eventually (that shockworks one looks sweet, especiall if it was painted to match the car), so no need for me to get a bull bar now only to toss it out in a few months.

Just exploring my options, thanks for the feedback.

Edit: Something like this Budbuilt Taco belly skid would be cool, but I guess the hdpe skid is just this. http://www.budbuilt.com/new/

[bulldog]

Honestly though I have been hitting my 4R pretty hard in sand, mud, rocks, washbaord, etc for almost 4 years and the radiator has not had any problems touch wood. So honestly I would not worry too much, unless you are doing really heavy duty mud, rocks or sand driving.

[AlexJet]

MUD, that what makes huge problem for radiator. It blocks airflow and overheat engine.

[Mikestang]

My luck with things is I'd be the one guy to have a stick or rock find that spot behind and beneath the bumper and poke right through my radiator.

[Joel]

Try to build your own. It will be cheaper and custom made.

Your's is done by now isn't it? Pictures?

[AlexJet]

Your's is done by now isn't it? Pictures?

Yep, pictures are coming...

[Joel]

Bump for Alex's pictures...

[AlexJet]

Sorry guys, I forgot about pictures. Too much work. I have couple at my home computer. I'll do small write-up tonight.

[bulldog]

Sorry guys, I forgot about pictures. Too much work. I have couple at my home computer. I'll do small write-up tonight.

:sleep: :sleep: :sleep:

Any pix yet? :D

[AlexJet]

Wait 3 more days. I'm out of province and away from my archives ;)

[Joel]

Bump.. :wavey:

[AlexJet]

Bump.. :wavey:

I know, I know... I'm back. 10hr driving and was home at 1am last night. Working from 7am, and still at work (7:30pm).

[Jason B]

Anyone have experience with the Jaos skid plate. I'm looking for something to cover up the exposed portion of the radiator and stuff up in the very front (wishing we got the full coverage there like the FJ). I'm also open to other recomendations. I saw the HDPE do-it-yourself skid, but I'm not too comfortable with the bending stress that it puts on the bolts. Downey off-road has one, too, that looks like the Jaos one, but w/out the cut-outs for radiator ventilation.

I've sold a ton of these, and they are pretty darn nice. This mount overtop of the stock skidplate.

More info/write-up here (http://www.burtmanindustries.com/zoomprod.php?id=4run_jaos_skid_03_up)

http://www.burtmanindustries.com/gallery/images/4run_jaos_skid_03_up.jpg

[bulldog]

I know, I know... I'm back. 10hr driving and was home at 1am last night. Working from 7am, and still at work (7:30pm).
:poke: So I guess you will post pics of the skid this weekend?

[Mikestang]

It appears that the shrockworks bumped covers the area I was concerned with, so I'll be going with that and probably do an HDPE concoction for the rest.

[AlexJet]

:poke: So I guess you will post pics of the skid this weekend?

Yep. This weekend. This month was very difficult in time for me. I wasn't be able to unscrew even 1 bolt in my truck. Sorry guys that it took me so long to write a write-ups. I know I was promising to make them; believe me, I just short of time. I remember to spend at least 1hr browsing forums every day, this month I checked them once in couple days and at maximum for couple minutes.

[Joel]

Bump for pix of the skid........

[AlexJet]

Bump for pix of the skid........

S*****t, it's completely gone out from my head. Sorry. Will post tomorrow.

[expat]

ROTFLOL.....

[Mikestang]

Same guy whose back bumper I posted, I really like his skid.

From http://www.chaosedition.com/modifications-armor.asp:

Skid Plate....

I once had a Downey Offroad skid plate but unfortunately this was only a directly stock replacement skid plate. It will suit for most users but for the trails I conquer, but a more sophisticated skid plate was needed. Mike (AZrain) built 2 prototype skid plates and I was one of the lucky souls to get a hold of this. It features a complete skid that covers everything all the way back to the center of the rig. This meant that I would have a complete belly skid which would be ideal for rock crawling. Check out the comparison and you'll get an idea. Keep in mind that this skid covered not only what Toyota's factory skid covered but also the transmission and center differential.

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/skidcomparison1.jpg

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/skidcomparison2.jpg

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/skidcomparison3.jpg

[AlexJet]

I had Downey skid too. Actually I was disappointed of this skid. Yes, it's direct replacement of the stock one, BUT it's smaller (much smaller) and you have to weld brackets to the frame. Jaos is also very nice skid, and mostly it's the same as Downey, except Jaos covers also radiators. I finished by building up my own skid.

[my034runner]

I had Downey skid too. Actually I was disappointed of this skid. Yes, it's direct replacement of the stock one, BUT it's smaller (much smaller) and you have to weld brackets to the frame. Jaos is also very nice skid, and mostly it's the same as Downey, except Jaos covers also radiators. I finished by building up my own skid.






:worthless :flipoff:

[my034runner]

Same guy whose back bumper I posted, I really like his skid.

From http://www.chaosedition.com/modifications-armor.asp:

Skid Plate....

I once had a Downey Off road skid plate but unfortunately this was only a directly stock replacement skid plate. It will suit for most users but for the trails I conquer, but a more sophisticated skid plate was needed. Mike (AZrain) built 2 prototype skid plates and I was one of the lucky souls to get a hold of this. It features a complete skid that covers everything all the way back to the center of the rig. This meant that I would have a complete belly skid which would be ideal for rock crawling. Check out the comparison and you'll get an idea. Keep in mind that this skid covered not only what Toyota's factory skid covered but also the transmission and center differential.

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/skidcomparison1.jpg

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/skidcomparison2.jpg

http://www.chaosedition.com/photogallery/images/misc/skidcomparison3.jpg







Linky no worky! :devil:

[AlexJet]

:worthless :flipoff:

4th Generation Skid Plates (http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=686)

[my034runner]

4th Generation Skid Plates (http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=686)


Yeah, I found it, so sorry.

[Mikestang]

Linky no worky! :devil:

Fixed in original post, damn colon snuck in there.

[Jason B]

I've sold a ton of these, and they are pretty darn nice. This mount overtop of the stock skidplate.

More info/write-up here (http://www.burtmanindustries.com/zoomprod.php?id=4run_jaos_skid_03_up)

http://www.burtmanindustries.com/gallery/images/4run_jaos_skid_03_up.jpg

Back in stock :)