Thoughts on middle member

[Stage1V8]

Over time the centre cross member on my Stage 1 has got somewhat bent from being high centred. I am thinking about what it will take to have it straightened or replaced with something more substantial. Since that needs to be done I thought it would be a good idea to take steps to prevent that from needing to be done again with some kind of skid plate.

From time to time I have heard from people about adding things like skid plates, etc to the cross member but never seen anything like that, nor any photos. Does anyone have links to, or photos of, under chassis protection for these bulldozer blades?

Pics:







Thanks
Alan

[Crash bandicoot]

just me, but i would cut it off completely and make a new one that runs between the chassis rails(e.g.hilux chassi). Not under them with a couple of sections of 4 inch steam pipe welded in on each side so the exhaust pipes can run through the cross member not under or over. (this is what Shelby did with the cobra's and mustangs to get the chassi lower to the ground)

you can also do this for the driveshaft and turn the cross member into a carrier bearing mount.



if it is possible of course,

[Moriarty]

Yup, My wee truck has certain delicate bits underneath, my solution was this

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=4037&hilit=korando+project

[Stage1V8]

That was what I have some to think as well. Have it as an I section between the chassis rails.

But Moriarty's plate idea might still be needed for the hand brake drum and transfer case that are left exposed.

I wonder. Would that need to be certified? Could I get away with it being called a repair?

[Moriarty]

Cant see why it would need certing. Mine has been through several warrant checks, including this last one, the last 12 month warrant, dammit!!

After all, its not a structural mod, does not affect safety, adds less than a small child as weight, dont tell em!!!

B

[Stage1V8]

We need a thanks button, like what's on other forums.

But.. yeah

[Moriarty]

We need a thanks button, like what's on other forums.

But.. yeah

If you are trying to start a "Let's pick on Mike" thread.....

I paid my subs a month ago and STILL don't have my avatar back, nor, it seems, can't post PMs.... Not, of course, that I am complaining.....

[L-andy]

Defender, Range Rover and Discovery all have cross-members that bolt in between the chassis rails. Some are straight, some curved depending on model/year. You quite probably have the same width between chassis rails as all the above. Something from the wreckers may fit without too much fab work.

I have fitted a second cross-member just below the transfer case and then made a skid plate between the two much like Moriarty's using 3mm steel with reinforcing ribs welded on.

Andy

[DieselBoy]

I reckon just a small skid plate extending maybe 300mm in front of the cross member, and maybe the same to the rear.
That should provide enough of a ramp to prevent the cross member getting badly hooked causing you to grind to a stop.

3mm plate would do, fit some M8 riv-nuts into the chassis and cross member (or drill and tap the chassis and cross member) and use some dome headed cap screws to fix it to the cross member to help with the sliding effect.

Simple solutions are best

If your more engineering inclined, I would bin the factory cross member and get a low profile one folded up out of 10mm flat bar. I bet you would still find its got the grader blade effect though.