Diamond plate

[zfinger]

Well I have an approximatly 3'x3' sheet of diamond plate aluminum(it think its aluminum anyways). If you were me, what would you do with it? What would you make? One guy just had a whole bumper and winch mount made for a Blazer on track he uses to groom snowmobile trails. But hes been here 25 years and I've only been here 4 months, so I'd like to keep my projects a bit smaller.

I work second shift at a factory, we have a full machine shop and the best welders. I can bring them little things and they'll do it up for me at no cost, as long as it isnt TOO time consuming. Any specific skid plate? I wanted to make plates for the bottom of the doors but my sheet is like 3 inches to short.

Give me some ideas here...

 

[zfinger]

Well I just talked to one of the machinests and hes also a Jeeper, and he pointed out aluminum sucks for a skid plate cuz it's soft, and I'm asking to get hung up.

So what else could I do with it? on a 97' by the way

 

[87CherokeeChief]

im not a big fan of diamond plate...too bling...

 

[Littlewhitexj]

sell it, that craps expensive.

 

[GirlScout1]

I used some to make lower door/rocker guards. I know that it's not going to take big rock hits but it does make it a little different than other XJs and has taken some rock rub abuse over time and has held up well. Here is a couple pics:

Before paint:

 

[Timber]

I was bored one day and had a few square feet, so I did this:

EDIT: Sorry it's so dark. I found this thread and ran out and took a pic.

 

[XJhabitat]

is that just double sided tape holding that on?

 

[Gojeep]

I show on my site how to make the rear quarter ones too.

www.go.jeep-xj.info

 

[cagedxj]

Diamond plate was designed for traction in slippery conditions. Why people would want it for skid plates has always baffled me. I guess it is because it looks 'tough'? Your friend is correct, aluminum is the worst for skids. It will gaul and gouge instead of sliding over the obsticals.

 

[GirlScout1]

is that just double sided tape holding that on?

On mine it is just double sided tape. I will rivet it on eventually. Just havent done it yet.

 

[Timber]

Mine are riveted.

 

[zfinger]

My peice is just shy of being long enough for the bottoms of the doors. So I'm still not sure what to use it for, maybe have it bent up into a box for the back, I dunno.

 

[woodcreek]

Paint it black. That looks much better. Actually I used it as end caps for my bumper (painted black of course) and it looks great.

 

[Markos]

You could line your cargo area with it...

like this:

 

[nhrocker]

Diamond plate was designed for traction in slippery conditions. Why people would want it for skid plates has always baffled me.

While in a welding class in high school I was given some 3/16"s steel diamond plate and without thinking about it, made a gas tank skid plate... I didn't think about the friction until I was finishing welding the seams. So it's been sitting on my porch for a few years because I know it'll drag too much if I put it on.

 

[DDCxj]

While in a welding class in high school I was given some 3/16"s steel diamond plate and without thinking about it, made a gas tank skid plate... I didn't think about the friction until I was finishing welding the seams. So it's been sitting on my porch for a few years because I know it'll drag too much if I put it on.

Cut the welds and flip everything or atleast the main piece. The opposite side is smooth, right?

 

[zfinger]

You could line your cargo area with it...

like this:

I actually had it in the trunk of my first car in highschool, a 98' KIA Sephia. I had my subs on it, all carpeted in, it looked good.

 

[red_01_xj]

you could make interior trim pieces with it...

 

[nhrocker]

Cut the welds and flip everything or atleast the main piece. The opposite side is smooth, right?

Problem is that I don't have the equipment to do that. I've got a grinder I could use to cut it (it would take a while, but it would work) but then I'd have to pay someone to weld it back together...Plus, I used a pretty intricate design, there are 3 downward facing panels that would have to be cut and flipped (one main, but I'd want them all flipped). I've been thinking of bringing it to a shop and telling them to just remake it out of smooth 3/16"s plate.

 

[dfreeman616]

door sill guards, some kind of interior stuff.