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Do you use chassis skid plates for protection?

Do you use chassis skid plates for protection?

Old 12-17-2013, 05:32 AM
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Default Do you use chassis skid plates for protection?

Hello, I'm just wondering how many of you use the plastic rear chassis skid plates for protection? I've never used one and was intrested in opinions. Some guys say don't buy them because they add weight, take away arm travel, and don't really last long? Others swear by them and tell me there chassis lasts twice as long when using them. I've even seen them mounted to the front of some buggies and truggies as well.

What's your opinion on skid plates? Yes or No and why.
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Old 12-17-2013, 06:22 AM
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I use to. But hey affect the performance of the car. From my experience it makes the car jump horrible. I even had a plastic skid plate bend on me. During the race, it was dragging on the dirt during jumps and other areas of suspension travel. It was so annoying. I stopped using them and would rather replace a chassis than use them.
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Old 12-17-2013, 06:26 AM
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I feel if i was running on a rough surface they might be good to use, but under normal conditions i dont think it is necessary.
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Old 12-17-2013, 06:33 AM
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I used them on my 1/8 scale stuff and my 1/10 Truggy and 4WD sct. If you use a decent mfg for them (DE, RPM, t-bone) I haven't had an issue where they bent/broke before I wore them out. Alot cheaper (and easier) than replacing a whole chassis.
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Old 12-17-2013, 06:39 AM
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Aluminum skid plates, like Sumo Racing Products (sumo-racing.com) offers hold up much better and last much longer.
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Old 12-17-2013, 07:24 AM
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I have been on T-Bone and they do not bend. My friends use them too.
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Old 12-17-2013, 07:31 AM
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I guess for $8 it wouldn't hurt to try one, I've just been told to not waste my money on them because of the same thing teeforb said they bend and get in the way.
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Old 12-17-2013, 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by kylehirano
I guess for $8 it wouldn't hurt to try one, I've just been told to not waste my money on them because of the same thing teeforb said they bend and get in the way.
Mine have never bent and they are backed with guarantee for their Pro bumpers. Anyway, if things are not too expensive, I will give it a try before making judgement.
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Old 12-17-2013, 08:21 AM
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I had them. Hated them. What car do you have? I have some that I'd sell if you have an 8ight
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Old 12-17-2013, 08:28 AM
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It's all according to the chassis. Agama and the D812 have a recessed cut out so the rear skid plate cannot drag or bend because the lip will never contact the ground. As far as fronts, unless you drive backwards there is no way for it to drag.
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Old 12-17-2013, 09:42 AM
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i used DE,front and rear, on my mbx6t for 2 years and the chassis looked liked new except a few scratches when I sold it. Never had a problem out of them
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Old 12-17-2013, 10:16 AM
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Like everything else on your buggy, the chassis is wear item. Even though skids may protect against deep scratches and thinning of the rear section, over time the aluminum will fatigue which will cause a bow or twist (tweak) this can not be prevented by skid plates. IMO skid plates aren't worth the headaches already mentioned by others. If my chassis is thin enough for replacement (usually after many gallons of fuel) chances are it's tweaked too.
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Old 12-17-2013, 10:46 AM
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I am practicing on a very abrasive track, and I went through 3 chassis on my MBX7 in 6 months. I am using skid plates during practice, but not during a race. I have had DE Skid plates in the rear bend on me and affecting the car. For practice that risk (with the affect on ride height it has) is acceptable, but wouldn't run them for a race.
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Old 12-17-2013, 10:50 AM
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No - they are more trouble than worth... Ive had them get stuck on stuff....
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Old 12-17-2013, 11:05 AM
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So it sounds like mixed reviews, is there a rule of telling when your chassis needs replaced, I've seen, and used some chassis that were real thin in the rear, but still seemed fine on the track.
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