So I am trying to figure out how I am going to do my skid plate. I think I have figured out I am going to go with steel for cost savings. I priced a couple things from my local metal shop.
4x8 3/16 steel is $208  weighs 280lbs about
4x8 1/4 aluminum $568 weights 150lbs
1/2" uhmw is about $500 plus shipping, no idea what they would cost. I'm guessing over $100

So I think I'm going with steel, they will shear it up based on my current plastic skid and I am going to have it go right out to the rockers and then weld a tube to it for rock sliders. 3/16 may be thicker than I need though, that's usually what they run for full size trucks. I'm thinking 1/8" will be more suited to the UTV. Thoughts? It will save some weight and I will be using about 2/3 of the sheet so 1/8 might weigh about 125lbs rather than 180lbs of 3/16. You guys think 1/8" is strong enough for a UTV? I am not spending $900 on skid plates with this method I am thinking I will be all in for under $300

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

So I am trying to figure out how I am going to do my skid plate. I think I have figured out I am going to go with steel for cost savings. I priced a couple things from my local metal shop.
4x8 3/16 steel is $208  weighs 280lbs about
4x8 1/4 aluminum $568 weights 150lbs
1/2" uhmw is about $500 plus shipping, no idea what they would cost. I'm guessing over $100

So I think I'm going with steel, they will shear it up based on my current plastic skid and I am going to have it go right out to the rockers and then weld a tube to it for rock sliders. 3/16 may be thicker than I need though, that's usually what they run for full size trucks. I'm thinking 1/8" will be more suited to the UTV. Thoughts? It will save some weight and I will be using about 2/3 of the sheet so 1/8 might weigh about 125lbs rather than 180lbs of 3/16. You guys think 1/8" is strong enough for a UTV? I am not spending $900 on skid plates with this method I am thinking I will be all in for under $300

Well, you asked for input and opinions and everyone knows I'm all about that...lol. The 1/8" is more then enough. That's what I built my side-stuff out of but steel is heavy. I forget what mine weigh but it's in the write-up. Its enough to well notice...in fact if I didn't need the protection I would take them off. It makes it feel like a row boat 1/8 full of water...heavy and pregnant...and that's just mine still with the center plastic. Everytime I start thinking I'm pulling them off I High Center it.. or bash them on some rocks and am so glad I had them I forget it...for a while.  I think I could have gone a little thinner cause all I have done is scrape paint..no dents.

Well, that's just my 2-cents. Good luck.

Thanks for the input. What do you think I could get away with for thickness. I'd like to save as much weight as possible. I really don't bottom out too much I've only had a few good whacks and have bent up the little honey comb stock skids on the front diff and under the rockers so I need stronger than that junk. Need to protest the coolant lines, diff and fuel tank! I could also put the plastic skid back over the steel too to keep it slick and slippery and add a tiny bit of strength with that and its weight is negligible.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Thanks for the input. What do you think I could get away with for thickness. I'd like to save as much weight as possible. I really don't bottom out too much I've only had a few good whacks and have bent up the little honey comb stock skids on the front diff and under the rockers so I need stronger than that junk. Need to protest the coolant lines, diff and fuel tank! I could also put the plastic skid back over the steel too to keep it slick and slippery and add a tiny bit of strength with that and its weight is negligible.

I think half way between 1/8" and 1/16". I think 1/16" might be too far though. Maybe 3/32" with all the mount points.

3/32 would be perfect. Skid plates for my Outlander are 3/16 aluminum and are super strong. Steel is even stronger and more durable so a thinner guage would be fine.

Carmen

So 3/32 isnt a normal stock sheet.  I am getting 7/64, or 12 gauge steel.  The sheet is $130 and they will plasma cut it for me. Should be all done for under $200. I'll let you know next week when i get it done.

Purchased an 10 piece aluminum skid plate set up entire underside /front and a arms from NJ auto group delivered to my doorstep for 477 ish?no tax out of state
top notch quality fit & finish (hydraulic die press stamp cut-you cannot duplicate) with hardware and large stamped washers brackets etc
50 60 lbs
so sexy any shiny you do not want to put it on and have debris hit it LOL
not worth T&M to fabricate my 2 cents
you can negotiate with them 100 off $577 list price with free shipping

Purchased an 10 piece aluminum skid plate set up entire underside /front and a arms from NJ auto group delivered to my doorstep for 477 ish?no tax out of state
top notch quality fit & finish (hydraulic die press stamp cut-you cannot duplicate) with hardware and large stamped washers brackets etc
50 60 lbs
so sexy any shiny you do not want to put it on and have debris hit it LOL
not worth T&M to fabricate my 2 cents
you can negotiate with them 100 off $577 list price with free shipping

Where did you find this? The only thing I can find in aluminum they was $900!.  Do you have a link? a web address or a phone number?

skidplate

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjAwdLnp4TfAhVsmeAKHVHNDugQFjAFegQIBBAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mcssl.com%2Fstore%2Fautoproductgroupinc%2Fskid-plates%2Fcfmoto&usg=AOvVaw1KwvetZABpl40EPd7bZz41

skidplate

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjAwdLnp4TfAhVsmeAKHVHNDugQFjAFegQIBBAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mcssl.com%2Fstore%2Fautoproductgroupinc%2Fskid-plates%2Fcfmoto&usg=AOvVaw1KwvetZABpl40EPd7bZz41

Oh yea I did find that one at one point, it wasn't in stock and I thought the shipping was like $200.  Oh well. I dropped off my skid at the metal shop and they are gonna quote me on what it will cost to plsma cut it up. It really isn't much work just some hole drilling. I will add washers to lower the skid a little to be under the drop boxes under the rockers and just weld them in place and use the existing hardware with cup washers