Skid plate options

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Nikal

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Since in another thread there is talk about possibly one of the 10 cars on the first ride with Robby, hit a rock and possibly hit the transmission or front diff? At this point it’s all speculation as we don’t know foresure?

But Speed does offer a Heavy Duty UHMW skid plate package as an accessory. One of the first owners on this past weekends ride, he highly suggested the stronger skids.

So I called Factory UTV who have been the leaders in the UHMW skids for UTV’s and crawlers. They did tell me they plan on building a full set of skids for the Speed UTV as soon as they can get one to measure. If like other models they will offer it in a 3/8 & 1/2 package. They probably will offer it as a full kit, or you could purchase just the front diff skid or rear engine skid. For other models they have built a-arms and trailing arm guards too. So that might be an option for those who rock climb and want to protect the lower arms.

Looking at what Factory UTV charges for a 3/8 full set for the 4 seat Pro R, I’d think the Speed kit would be about the same at $900-$1000.
 
Nikal said:
Since in another thread there is talk about possibly one of the 10 cars on the first ride with Robby, hit a rock and possibly hit the transmission or front diff? At this point it’s all speculation as we don’t know foresure?

But Speed does offer a Heavy Duty UHMW skid plate package as an accessory. One of the first owners on this past weekends ride, he highly suggested the stronger skids.

So I called Factory UTV who have been the leaders in the UHMW skids for UTV’s and crawlers. They did tell me they plan on building a full set of skids for the Speed UTV as soon as they can get one to measure. If like other models they will offer it in a 3/8 & 1/2 package. They probably will offer it as a full kit, or you could purchase just the front diff skid or rear engine skid. For other models they have built a-arms and trailing arm guards too. So that might be an option for those who rock climb and want to protect the lower arms.

Looking at what Factory UTV charges for a 3/8 full set for the 4 seat Pro R, I’d think the Speed kit would be about the same at $900-$1000.
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Nikal: I opted for the upgraded full coverage UHMW 10mm thick skid plate for my El Jefe LE (It's actually 12mm thick in critical areas front and rear). The stock skid is 5mm thick and not made of UHMW. That UHMW stuff is VERY robust and resiliant. 10-12mm thick UHMW will practically be bombproof. It was a pricey option ($1300 at the time I paid for my accessories in Mar 2021), but IMO worth every penny to protect my Speed car. According to Robby, the 5mm skid plate was intended for those who ride in the dunes and just need something to keep the sand out without adding weight, or for racers who want to minimize weight. Speaking of weight, I estimate that the upgraded full length skid plate will only add about 30 pounds more (above the stock skid). That load is distributed throughout the entire length and width of the car. So IMO that add'l weight is completely trivial and the protection benefits far outweigh the miniscule weight added. :cool:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Rhon Utvrider said:
Nikal: I opted for the upgraded full coverage UHMW 10mm thick skid plate for my El Jefe LE (It's actually 12mm thick in critical areas front and rear). The stock skid is 5mm thick and not made of UHMW. That UHMW stuff is VERY robust and resiliant. 10-12mm thick UHMW will practically be bombproof. It was a pricey option ($1300 at the time I paid for my accessories in Mar 2021), but IMO worth every penny to protect my Speed car. According to Robby, the 5mm skid plate was more intended for those who ride in the dunes and just need something to keep the sand out without adding a bunch of weight. And speaking of weight, I estimate that the upgraded full length skid plate will only add about 30 pounds more (above the stock skid). That load is distributed throughout the entire length and width of the car, so IMO that add'l weight is completely trivial and benefits far outweigh the miniscule weight added. :cool:
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$1300 was a fair price in the early stages. I honestly did not think about getting them as Todd told me more then once the stock skids are going to be stronger then the other top brands, and if not crawling through the rocks it’s not necessary.

But now I wonder, if what we have heard via the rumor mill is true. Maybe better skids should be considered for every day play?

Either way it sounds like we are going to have options. Stock, Speed brand UHMW or aftermarket.
 
Nikal said:
$1300 was a fair price in the early stages. I honestly did not think about getting them as Todd told me more then once the stock skids are going to be stronger then the other top brands, and if not crawling through the rocks it’s not necessary.

But now I wonder, if what we have heard via the rumor mill is true. Maybe better skids should be considered for every day play?

Either way it sounds like we are going to have options. Stock, Speed brand UHMW or aftermarket.
Click to expand...
It's nice to have choices. Life is good! :cool: The "every day play" description describes me (I don't race). I like having the additional protection.
 
That’s odd. When I was adding more upgrades a couple years ago, Conner told me a popular option was the rear skid plate so I purchased it at that time.
 
Nikal said:
Since in another thread there is talk about possibly one of the 10 cars on the first ride with Robby, hit a rock and possibly hit the transmission or front diff? At this point it’s all speculation as we don’t know foresure?

But Speed does offer a Heavy Duty UHMW skid plate package as an accessory. One of the first owners on this past weekends ride, he highly suggested the stronger skids.

So I called Factory UTV who have been the leaders in the UHMW skids for UTV’s and crawlers. They did tell me they plan on building a full set of skids for the Speed UTV as soon as they can get one to measure. If like other models they will offer it in a 3/8 & 1/2 package. They probably will offer it as a full kit, or you could purchase just the front diff skid or rear engine skid. For other models they have built a-arms and trailing arm guards too. So that might be an option for those who rock climb and want to protect the lower arms.

Looking at what Factory UTV charges for a 3/8 full set for the 4 seat Pro R, I’d think the Speed kit would be about the same at $900-$1000.
Click to expand...
Thought it supposed to be 3/16th uhmw over 3/16: aluminum ...speed badged ..winch 1 speed
 
Eric19az said:
How does the crescent and other storage boxes feel in terms of quality and how are they held down in the bed? Thanks for the pictures as well
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I only saw one set of boxes on the floor underneath one of the 10 cars they look decent. I talk to Daniel the lead engineer he said they were still going to try to improve the rubber T handle hole down devices otherwise the boxes are what they are. After looking at them and calculating out the cost to build them in aluminum even at my own labor and welding at no cost I don’t think I could do it any less than what they cost.
 

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I saw the one box they had at the Sand Show. The box is definitely different than originally planned as it was going to be blow mold injected, like some other mfg storage boxes. The original concept was to make it like a cooler and even have a drain plug. But they found in order to release from the mold some of the inner panels were going to have to be angled to slide out of the mold, and this lost allot of room in the box. So it was decided to make a single wall box. The box will be less rigid and I would not sit or climb on it. I have one on order with my car.

IMO there is allot that can be improved and I have several cool ideas. For one I feel it opens the wrong way and will be difficult to reach into when mounted along a side bed rail. This also makes the latched more challenging to mount and will be to open.

Maybe someone will make an aftermarket box. But at what cost and would it sell??
 
Diablo 2023 said:
I only saw one set of boxes on the floor underneath one of the 10 cars they look decent. I talk to Daniel the lead engineer he said they were still going to try to improve the rubber T handle hole down devices otherwise the boxes are what they are. After looking at them and calculating out the cost to build them in aluminum even at my own labor and welding at no cost I don’t think I could do it any less than what they cost.
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Yeah I see the Yeti cooler type hood downs for the lids but wondering about the hood downs in the bed. I don’t remember seeing any snap in or quick connect/disconnects in the bed. I am sure there is something holding them down with how much vibration and movement the bed sees.
Nikal said:
I saw the one box they had at the Sand Show. The box is definitely different than originally planned as it was going to be blow mold injected, like some other mfg storage boxes. The original concept was to make it like a cooler and even have a drain plug. But they found in order to release from the mold some of the inner panels were going to have to be angled to slide out of the mold, and this lost allot of room in the box. So it was decided to make a single wall box. The box will be less rigid and I would not sit or climb on it. I have one on order with my car.

IMO there is allot that can be improved and I have several cool ideas. For one I feel it opens the wrong way and will be difficult to reach into when mounted along a side bed rail. This also makes the latched more challenging to mount and will be to open.

Maybe someone will make an aftermarket box. But at what cost and would it sell??
Click to expand...
VERY TRUE. I have the crescent on order and although it’s not what was originally planned, as long as it mounts decent and holds together it will be a good storage for the trail kit and other items. Sounds like a tool roll will fit under a few of the seats which is a bonus as well. Creseant + tire/Jack should allow room for a decent cooler as well on the opposite side of the tire.
 
Nikal said:
I saw the one box they had at the Sand Show. The box is definitely different than originally planned as it was going to be blow mold injected, like some other mfg storage boxes. The original concept was to make it like a cooler and even have a drain plug. But they found in order to release from the mold some of the inner panels were going to have to be angled to slide out of the mold, and this lost allot of room in the box. So it was decided to make a single wall box. The box will be less rigid and I would not sit or climb on it. I have one on order with my car.

IMO there is allot that can be improved and I have several cool ideas. For one I feel it opens the wrong way and will be difficult to reach into when mounted along a side bed rail. This also makes the latched more challenging to mount and will be to open.

Maybe someone will make an aftermarket box. But at what cost and would it sell??
Click to expand...

I'd buy one if it was lockable. Also an air tight (dust-free) section for extra clothes and stuff. There's definitely room to improve
 
Nikal said:
I saw the one box they had at the Sand Show. The box is definitely different than originally planned as it was going to be blow mold injected, like some other mfg storage boxes. The original concept was to make it like a cooler and even have a drain plug. But they found in order to release from the mold some of the inner panels were going to have to be angled to slide out of the mold, and this lost allot of room in the box. So it was decided to make a single wall box. The box will be less rigid and I would not sit or climb on it. I have one on order with my car.

IMO there is allot that can be improved and I have several cool ideas. For one I feel it opens the wrong way and will be difficult to reach into when mounted along a side bed rail. This also makes the latched more challenging to mount and will be to open.

Maybe someone will make an aftermarket box. But at what cost and would it sell??
Click to expand...
Totally agree and was thinking the same thing. The long boxes open the wrong way. Was wondering is they still mount if you put them on the opposite sides.
 
It's so funny how we re-think or question our decisions. I opted for the thicker plates day one and before the price increases. I have questioned that decision ever since and on several occasions was about to change back to the stock plates for weight reasons. Then after debating with myself, always a losing battle :), I kept them. Now after hearing of the incident this weekend, I am glad I chose to stay with them and as Rhon stated the weight is distributed over the length of the car so I think the protection aspect wins the day
 

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