Lower Control Arms Skids?

[YotaFun]

So on a recent trip to Rausch Creek I came to the conclusion that my truck needs more protection.
While on this trip, it was wet and pouring rain so it make the leaf and mossy rock covered trail into a nice little white water rapid river, which made it even more fun...
OH and to top it all off, 1/4 way into the trail I lost 4wd (blew a CV joint) and didn't realize it till 3/4 through the trail.

The reason I am sharing my little story is because of this....
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Lower%20Control%20Arms/DSC04638.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Lower%20Control%20Arms/DSC04639.jpg

So I was wondering if anyone has though of making skids for these things.
I was throwing ideas around with Sean and he had a good one and I will let him share it.
But I was thinking we need a little protection there.

AND NO TONY CUTTING IT OFF IS NOT AN OPTION!!! :tongueout:
and neither is going LT, cause I know TC has skids for there long travel arms.

So just curious if anyone has tried anything or had the same issue?
Discussion would be great, and ideas appreciated.

[troyboy162]

in my opinion those lower arms are good skids in of themselfs. you can drag those for along time before you'll degrade them enough to worry about and theres nothing vulnerable in that area. then when there dead you can find those lower arms for $50 from the guys going sas.

[CJM]

^ Basically my opinion as well.

If you did want to put skids on, probably 1/8 thick plate would be fine, maybe attach them using some threading and some allen cap bolts or something.

[Scuba]

I know the fjc guys run lca skids on their stock lca's.. Moot IMO, the only way your really going to mess those things up is by running into a rock at 30mph. You should see my LCA's, they have rock rash out the ahole. But their fine, not bent or anything, just rashed.
I'd say don't worry about that, clean it and spray it black to keep the rust at bay..

[4x4mike]

Mine have taken a beating and are fine. Nothing too bad but I fit them with a Rol Loc, spray black and call it good.

[corax]

since it looks like you're really only scraping the front corner, how about some small angle iron cut/notched and bent to follow the curve of the arm and then tacked in place

[YotaFun]

The paint thing is a given.
I live in the rust belt so I have to take care of that.
I guess more my worry is that bead of weld right there.
Mean I don't foresee myself losing 4wd often, But more as a precaution I guess...

That sound like an neat idea Keith.

LOL! I just noticed on the right side that I somehow nailed the bolt for the strut assembly lol!!!

[corax]

I guess more my worry is that bead of weld right there.



Keep in mind that bead of weld is harder than the metal surrounding it so I wouldn't worry about that part of it

[Seanz0rz]

thats about what mine look like. i wouldnt worry about putting skids on them unless you really need a time waster.