Why Run Full Coverage Skid Plates / A-Arm Guards

[Baldeagle]

If there are any self tapping screws used it’s a perfect time to replace those with rivnuts. They work excellent.


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Other than that it’s a great time to do a good inspection if you use yours as hard as I use mine.


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[sugarray]

I have this tool. I've used it to install about 75-100 inserts in my machine. For skid plates I used MY

rzx 8" RIVET NUT GUN M3 M4 M5,m6 ,1/4-20m10-24, 8-32 , 6-32,Hand Riveter Rivet Gun, Riveting Tools with Nut Setting System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XVB3MMG/?tag=sxsweb24-20

I like the Astro Pneumatic nutserts. I have pretty much all the sizes standard and metric

Astro Pneumatic Tool RN6M M6 6mm Steel Rivet Nuts (100 Piece) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J7X4DKS/?tag=sxsweb24-20

I use these bolts with Honda washers on my skid plate. I like the 8mm head in case the washers get damaged the smaller 8mm socket usually still fit where as I've had issues with the larger Honda 10mm bolts getting stuck under the bent washers

Pit Posse 25pc Piece Metric... Amazon.com: Pit Posse 25Pc Piece Metric Flange Bolt Motorcycle Street Dirt Bike 6mm M6X20mm: Home Improvement

I find a unibit drills the best holes for the inserts. Drill bits tend to drill an oval hole in the thin Honda frame pieces

How large a hole did you drill? 3/8? 5/16 won't allow the Rivet Nut to be inserted

 

[Smitty335]

I had 300 miles on mine when I pulled the factory skid and put on the trail armor. IMO the factory skid might protect when doing yard work but not much else. I bent the middle sheet metal section playing on frozen snow piles. I have aluminum a-arm guards but would like to upgrade those at some point.

I had the Trail Armor A Arm guards before I installed the new SATV A Arms and 30 inch tires, thought I wouldn't install the guards and see how I liked it, like it a lot better without, no more stoping to clean the mud out on the outside CV joint boots and a heck of a lot easier to clean those areas.

 

[ToddACimer]

How large a hole did you drill? 3/8? 5/16 won't allow the Rivet Nut to be inserted

To install the nutserts, you need to drill a hole the same size as the nutserts OD and then insert the nutsert and crimp it in place. I use a unibit to drill the holes because they typically drill more round than a drill bit in thin metal

 

[sugarray]

To install the nutserts, you need to drill a hole the same size as the nutserts OD and then insert the nutsert and crimp it in place. I use a unibit to drill the holes because they typically drill more round than a drill bit in thin metal

Those nutserts measured at 5/16, but wouldn't go in a 5/16 hole. 11/32 worked well, but still quite a tough fit. I got it done and only pulled 1 through and only 1 that is spinning.

 

[ToddACimer]

Those nutserts measured at 5/16, but wouldn't go in a 5/16 hole. 11/32 worked well, but still quite a tough fit. I got it done and only pulled 1 through and only 1 that is spinning.

Did you drill it with a regular drill bit? There's a chance your hole wasn't round and the nutsert wouldn't fit.

 

[sugarray]

Did you drill it with a regular drill bit? There's a chance your hole wasn't round and the nutsert wouldn't fit.

Nope, I learned from you and used a step bit. Had to go out and buy a new one that was 11/32 after drilling one to 3/8 and I wasn’t comfortable with how large the hole was.

like I said. I’ve got them on and am ok with it. I only pulled 1 through, but that was my fault. Had to modify the plate to allow the washers to fit as the self tappers allowed some angling the nutserts don’t. I really had very little dirt on them and no grass or leaves. I doubt I’ll take them off again.

 

[bucktaker]

thanks Jackal for pointing me to this thread. Tackett rider here with the trail armor skids that are failing the uhmw is breaking in most cases leaving the self tappers in the frame. I think its when either backing out or winching backwards that little lip the sticks out the side catches and rips the skids pulling the screws or breaking the holes out.... Damm it

 

[Stauvo]

Still have my original 2016 P15 Deluxe. Can I expect all the bolts to be welded and twist off if I invest in UHMW? I have seen my share of Minnesota swamp bog and clay.

 

[JACKAL]

Still have my original 2016 P15 Deluxe. Can I expect all the bolts to be welded and twist off if I invest in UHMW? I have seen my share of Minnesota swamp bog and clay.

Hard to say, I've never had any bolts seized, just already sheared off by rocks. They all drilled out fine and used new bolts.

 

[Boss0144]

2” x 1/4” angle has been awesome. And hides all the f*** you’s on the side rails. Gives a nice flat mounting point for the 1/2” uhmw. I just bolted mine through the rails. And everything is still holding tight. View attachment 147529View attachment 147530View attachment 147531

@JTW - when you added the angle iron, how did you attach your skids? Did you drill and tap the angle iron, or put in threaded inserts thru both the angle iron and in to the original Honda tubing? Welded inserts?

Thanks.

 

[JTW]

@JTW - when you added the angle iron, how did you attach your skids? Did you drill and tap the angle iron, or put in threaded inserts thru both the angle iron and in to the original Honda tubing? Welded inserts?

Thanks.

I used self tappers through the angle.. eventually I’m going back and replacing all my nutcerts and tapers with weldable inserts

 

[Ridinfool]

Lots of good info here, wasn't to concerned about full skid plate figuring I'll get to it later, but after reading this and seeing pics I will be ordering a trail armor full skid for the buggy. I've had rocks thump the floor boards on a plain ole gravel roads and it scared the mess outa me, that picture of the stick punched through the floor board pretty much sealed the deal for me. Thanks JACKAL for starting this thread good stuff.👍👍

 

[Boss0144]

Thanks for reply.

I'm going to try the threaded inserts thru the angle iron. I don't have the the skills to weld.

I like the look of your radius ends on the angle iron. I think I'm just going to leave it as a 90 and trim the plastic a little to stuff it up in there tight to the tube.

I'm leaning towards the Factory UTV. I like the big piece across the main bottom area of the machine.

I'm considering the Open Trail though too since it's the lowest priced. (I'm freakin cheap......sigh)

Thanks guys.

 

[Ultrasonic1]

Does anyone have a reason not to weld the angle iron on? Instead of bolting it.

 

[Boss0144]

Because I cant weld. If I could - then - yes - absolutely weld it!!

 

[Ultrasonic1]

Because I cant weld. If I could - then - yes - absolutely weld it!!

Ha, I figured if I bend up this 3/16 angle then the factory tubing behind it is probably getting replaced also.

 

[JTW]

Does anyone have a reason not to weld the angle iron on? Instead of bolting it.

You can... @Kilo427 has welded his. But at the time, I wasn’t sure how well it would work. That stock tube is thin though.

 

[Ultrasonic1]

You can... @Kilo427 has welded his. But at the time, I wasn’t sure how well it would work. That stock tube is thin though.

Thanks, I’ll be welding mine up tomorrow.

 

[Ultrasonic1]

Got them done today. I favored the heat/stinger into the angle iron, still got good penetration on the factory tube without burning through. Thanks for the heads up @JTW