Originally posted by RubiKat
View Post
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
To Steel or not to Steel (Aluminum?)
Collapse
Forum Thread First Post
Collapse
X
-
Originally posted by Double AA View PostWhat do your TJ corner weight, and what it the savings over steel?
Depends on what corner you're referring to. I just installed a set in place of some of the 1/8" thick short corners that just extend to barely past the filler neck. Our full aluminum corners in 3/16" weighed less by about 5 lbs per side.
Also, what material do you use for the main skid plates and what is the weight savings to 1/4" steel?
In general, aluminum weighs 1/3 of what steel does for the same thickness. In other words, 10 lbs of aluminum protects the same amount of your tub as 30 lbs of steel.I am Savvy.
Comment
-
Originally posted by mrblaine View PostDepends on what corner you're referring to. I just installed a set in place of some of the 1/8" thick short corners that just extend to barely past the filler neck. Our full aluminum corners in 3/16" weighed less by about 5 lbs per side.
What main skid plate are you referring to?
In general, aluminum weighs 1/3 of what steel does for the same thickness. In other words, 10 lbs of aluminum protects the same amount of your tub as 30 -lbs of steel.
My steel skid is 1/4" and has two 1/8"x2" angles welded across for added stiffness. It's take a lot of abuse and has not deflected, but it's heavy and weighs exactly 75lbs. What is the thickness of your aluminum skid that protects the transmission and transfer case, and does it have any additional bracing? I've climbed ledges and have come down directly on the skid from more than 2' high. Will aluminum sustain a hit like that without cracking?
Comment
-
Originally posted by Double AA View PostThe steel corners I have are 3/16". I believe your aluminum corners are also 3/16". What is the weight of a pair of full corners in each material?
Full corner guards made from steel can weigh up to 65 lbs. each according to Savvy partner Gerald Lee. My previous steel corners made by Warrior were something like 24 lbs. each but they were only 1/8" steel and stopped just forward of the gas cap so they didn't cover the entire rear corner like the Savvy corners do.The Geezer Jeep: http://www.greentractortalk.com/jerryb/index.htm
Comment
-
Originally posted by Double AA View PostThe steel corners I have are 3/16". I believe your aluminum corners are also 3/16". What is the weight of a pair of full corners in each material?
My steel skid is 1/4" and has two 1/8"x2" angles welded across for added stiffness. It's take a lot of abuse and has not deflected, but it's heavy and weighs exactly 75lbs. What is the thickness of your aluminum skid that protects the transmission and transfer case, and does it have any additional bracing? I've climbed ledges and have come down directly on the skid from more than 2' high. Will aluminum sustain a hit like that without cracking?
I am Savvy.
Comment
-
Thanks for the reply.
The rear corners, the door sill down to the rockers, the portion of the tub in front of the doors and the triangles that make the front fenders are all 3/16" steel on my CJ. The rear corners have been cut to where I doubt they weigh more the 20 lbs each. But when you add the 75lbs skid with everything else there's probably 100 lbs that could be saved. I did kiss the rear of one of my corners on a rock and it did not hold up as well as I would have thought.
My CJ is fairly light for what it is. The Jeep with 19 gallons of fuel weights 3,980. That's a V8, NV4500, one tons and 42" tires on a certified scale. But when it comes to weight, less is more.
Comment
Comment