[NMKawierider]

Rock Sliders/ Belly Armor for the ZForce

First off I would like to thank emersonsc for the fantastic pricing on the factory rock sliders. If you guys ever need anything, he’s the guy.
However after reviewing my needs (and consulting my wife) it became clear I needed something more along the lines of under-belly armor as I seem to do more.. over the rocks and off rock ledges then around rocks and trees. I have sheared-off the bolts on the outside edges, crushed the “baskets” on each side and even caught & bent some of the out-riggers on obstacles.

All I could find out there that would solve my problem was some 600-dollar full skid plate system from Iron Baltic. And that…wasn’t going to happen any time soon so… it was time to put my shop to work.

Because I can’t weld or work with aluminum I had to go with steel. So, it was 1/8” cold rolled steel plate for me. Dropped the plastic skid plate, took some measurements , drew it up real quick and took it to my local steel supplier and had them cut the base materials for me. This is what I took them and started with. I did end up taking 1 1/8" off the final width of the under side section to run along the frame and miss the OE plate mounts.



Then this was the basic layout on what I wanted it to look like:



And here’s the left side prior to fabrication. (Already did the right side):



Did the right side first as it needed an extra cut out for the fuel fill. Marked and cut the hole for the basket then made the bends, welded in the box sides, positioned and welded in the side armor. This is it prior to any grinding or cleaning up:





Here it is cleaned-up a little prior to painting:





It will be painted with a flat black Rustolum and will closely match the same finish and color of the roll cage and bumpers. Here’s a shot of the face-side painted.



And with it ready for mounting…if the bolts would ever get here. Almost blends right in:



I wanted the outside plate to be flat against the plastics because I didn’t want to add any width, but I can easily add some bar extensions in the future if needed.

They will be mounted flush-surfaced with these self  tapping bolts to the outside and inside frame with a total of 10 each. They will also be able to flex with the frame:

https://www.boltdepot.com/Product-Details.aspx?product=14889

The center OE skid will slip right over the inside edges but I will ..”adjust”..those areas for a flush fit before reinstallation.

Yes, they are heavier then aluminum. About 36lbs total (18lbs ea).. but being near the axle level, this may actually add stability in corners and assist in ride comfort.

Yes, they will get scratched. But a quick touch-up with the spray can and it’s all new again. And who really worries about the underneath.

Yes, in wet conditions they may tend to rust. They are well sealed in the best paint money can buy for rust.. but.. I’m also in the high desert. There isn’t any wet conditions here!. And should any be found, it drains right out and it’s dry in a few minutes. So…no issue.   

What was the cost? That’s the best part. About 60 bucks in metal, 16 bucks in bolts (box of 100) and about 30 bucks in shop supplies & paint. And it took about 8 hours each to do. I will say I used most of my equipment at some point in this project though.

This isn’t so much a “How-To” as a..”Can-Do” if the need is there. This just means that even though options are limited on these for us right now, there are always possibilities and always another way to get things done. Even my metal supplier says if that plastic skid ever becomes a problem, they have a water jet and scanning table and would be happy to copy it to aluminum. That.. I just might do. 

When it’s all done I’ll post final pics. In the meantime here’s all the pics so far:

http://s483.photobucket.com/user/BFFreak_2008/slideshow/CFMoto%20ZForce%20800/Steel%20Rock%20Sliders

UPDATE 1/14/16:

OK, all done. I didn't have to adjust the plastic skid plate as it really didn't wrap over the frame so...good. And I was going to seal-up the ends but I see many places for BS to get in there and I think I'll need all the access I can get to flush it ...or most of it out so...all done.   Here's some final pics.

http://s483.photobucket.com/user/BFFreak_2008/slideshow/CFMoto%20ZForce%20800/Steel%20Rock%20Sliders/Final%20Rock%20Slider%20Pics

UPDATE 1/18/16:

OK, all done. I didn't have to adjust the plastic skid plate as it really didn't wrap over the frame so...good. And I was going to seal-up the ends but I see many places for BS to get in there and I think I'll need all the access I can get to flush it ...or most of it out so...all done.   Here's some final pics.

http://s483.photobucket.com/user/BFFreak_2008/slideshow/CFMoto%20ZForce%20800/Steel%20Rock%20Sliders/Final%20Rock%20Slider%20Pics

[murdo]

Looks tops.

[Cosmosdan]

All it took for me buying a iron Baltic skid set was seeing the underside of a used z6. But in the price, it did come with a arm guards too. I have no idea why they used the baskets. They catch  up on everything. Steel should work fine. I did use rattle can bed liner I found at Walmart on some stairs I welded up for my bus. It has held up great. Might be worth a try.

[NMKawierider]

Thanks guys. I may still get the Iron Baltic set sometime down the road but for now I hope these do the trick. Already had to go through the top and beat that basket back out twice now and lost several bolts along the plastic edge. Odd though..haven't scratched the sides of the plastics ..yet  so maybe the paint will last a while there. If not I'll try the canned bed liner.

[Jogon30]

Man buddy they look very nice and I like the price ! Another great MOD!!!

[NMKawierider]

Man buddy they look very nice and I like the price ! Another great MOD!!!

LOL..yeah getting ready for Jemez and Sipapu this spring. Hoping you will be there too.

[DCM]

Nice job!

My dad and I have been looking into welding up some door frames and sliders similar to this.  What is the purpose of the "baskets" as we call them?  Any reason I couldn't cut those off and just use a longer plate on a slider to cover more of that area?  Just thinking out loud.

[NMKawierider]

Nice job!

My dad and I have been looking into welding up some door frames and sliders similar to this.  What is the purpose of the "baskets" as we call them?  Any reason I couldn't cut those off and just use a longer plate on a slider to cover more of that area?  Just thinking out loud.

Well, on the right side it partly protects the gas tank so it's needed there. On the left I think it protects the extra battery box. Just look under there and you can see them.

[Cosmosdan]

Hope you're screws hold on the thinner material.  If not, there are some options.

[NMKawierider]

Hope you're screws hold on the thinner material.  If not, there are some options.

I hope so. They all held a torque of 15lbs and all have red loc-tite. and the 800's frame was much thicker then expected.

[NMKawierider]

One thing I was surprised to find was about 2 lbs of dirt trapped on the inside of the lower plastic panels. If you take all the 10mm bolts out along the lower edge, flex it out and tap the plastic with a hammer, it falls out. Bet I got about two shovel-full from each side. When this is all done I am going to seal those ends so the tires can't toss that stuff up in there.

[Cosmosdan]

It takes me forever to get all the dirt off the top of the skid plates. I have no idea what kind of dirt it is but after it wet then dries fully, it is like concrete. No kidding.

[Cosmosdan]

It looks pretty good. Should last a very long time.

[NMKawierider]

It looks pretty good. Should last a very long time.

I got my fingers crossed...

[Spaceman78]

That's some good work. I plan to make full skids for mine when I can find time. I also plan to make custom bumpers too.