OK here is a chance to impact what products are available on the market. Want to get your thoughts on a couple things. This is in regards to underbody skid plates.

1.) How many of you would prefer to rattle can them your self and save $20 - $25 per plate ($80- $100 for a full set)

2.) For those of you who would prefer not to paint them yourself, would you rather a have them yellow zinc plated or black powder coated? Zinc plated skids could always be rattle can painted black for extra protection. Assume same price for now.

I've had bare plates and black powder coated plates, between the two, good powder coating worked better, bad powder coating sucked.

I have no experience with yellow zinc plating....could you describe the differences/advantages/disadvantages?

Yellow zinc is the finish typically found on grade 8 bolts. It's zinc plating with a yellow chromate added for additional protection.

Here is a pic of a yellow zinc chain:

I'd take em un-painted..

They're only gonna get banged up anyways...

I would go unpainted also. Rattle can is easy.

Geez Jim, your a few days to late. I just put full skids on my truck, and I paint everthing blue or yellow. I would have liked to have them zinc plated first to help keep off the rust with all the salt here. I would definatly go for zinc plated,

Zinc plate the rear bumper when it comes out. It would make me happy!

For a skid plate I would rather use a rattle can for easy touch ups.

As long as it would take to have 3/16" steel rust through, it's not really an issue for me.

How'd you know I was thinking of skid plates next, Jim?

I'd agree with others on either bare metal or zinc plated. I guess the latter.

Really appreciate you coming in here (and other forums, too) and getting opinions, answering questions and so forth.

Jim,

As TJ says, if it's nice powdercoat, powdercoat would be adequate. The zinc coating would be VERY nice though. Assuming no price difference, I would go zinc over powdercoat.

Skids are my next addition, hopefully by the end of spring. Do you have a timeframe yet?

Look forward to hearing more.

-Matt

Well my first instinct is to go with zinc plating. Then my ignorance got the best of me. I did some research, but I still have no clue if the zink will take the beatings that the skids can be given.

I guess my answer in short is, if the zinc can take the beatings then that would be my choice, if not I would go bare and worry about touching up and paiting myself.

I am in the market for a set of skids over the next month or so. I would definitly wait to check your line out if is going to be out in the next few months. Also if you do need a test dummy I would be willing.

Jim- Yellow zinc sounds good. If I understand that coating correctly, it takes rattle can paint fairly well (so I could paint them blue to match the rest of the calmini stuff?). If yellow zinc can be painted over, then I'm all for it.

A chance to influence the market...hmm...can we talk you into making a mechanical locker for the Xterra? Say the word and I'll start dialing the phone right now!

Yeah but there is an xtra fee for that.

I've already made a great deal of progress on the skids. Just ironing out some details.
I'd say about four weeks we should be ready to start cranking them out.

Thanks for the feedback so far!

Jim

The zinc is a coating of metal, so it's very durable, but like anything elae, if it's dragged over a rock with 4000lbs of force on it, it's coming off. Rattle can touch up's are really the only solution to rocks.

hehe well if you're gonna hunt me down and charge me for painting stuff blue...a LOT of us are in trouble . Thanks for the reply...I'll take mine with yellow zinc please

Chalk up one more vote for Zinc plated...

Couple of questions:

Will this set of skids include a rear diff cover?

Will pieces be compatible with other skid plates; I.E. Skid Row Plates

Thanks!

Timing and price is everything.....Hook me up !!! I Have been waiting for your skids to come out, I almost caved in and ordered the skid rows....

Zinc would be cool...but I would prob. get them bare...

Hey Jim, been loving the bumper.

I'd be interested in them if they're up to par with your other products! (which I'm sure they are). I'd just go with unpainted myself so save cost.

what are these skids going to be for? will one be like the ARB bumper skidplate that you make, only for your bumper? i am very interested in one of your bumpers and set of skids, but i need to pull some money together to get the steering kit first.

also another question for you, would it be possible to order a bumper with holes drilled differenly or somthing like that for a 2 or 3 inch bodylift? i dont have the ability to weld so if i could order a bumer that does not need the modification, that would be great.

(cat out of the bag ) I sent out a prototype 2" body lift bumper to a customer last week. I expect it will work fine and they will be available within a week or so. It will require drilling 4 holes, but it's a straight bolt-on. No welding required which is the current case for all other bumpers.

The skid that goes on our bumper is already ready. That one is made of Stainless Steel, so types of coatings isnt really an issue for it. What we are talking about here is full underbody skid plates and a gas tank skid.

Jim, what price point are you aiming for?

and any discounts to existing customers?

for the skids of body lift bumper?

Skids!

How much, and realistically, when?

-Matt

Less $ than the current choices and 4-6 weeks.

Count me in as looking to buy a full set!!

Nice!