Skid plates for Summit: stock platic, aluminium, other?

[Scaniris]

Hi,

I realized after several sessions of crawling / bashing on gravel or rock, that the skid plate under the Summit were severely scratched. I bought replacement parts to be in stock in case of breakage, but I also look to buy strongest skid plates. I've also seens some scratches on a-arm but I will make custom protections as seen on this topic http://traxxas.com/forums/showthread...=1#post4964174)

I had a look on this forum using google and the embedded search engine, but I'v found only one or two topics with some discussion about skid plates, but not as detailed as I would have liked to get an opinion.

I read that aluminum was a little more''hook''on some surfaces than plastic. So I don't know exactly what would be better...

I've found some products. From Integy (I know somes discussions about this brand, not necessarily for the better). And also from STRC ( discovered the brand through this topic http://www.competitionx.com/project-...crawler-build/ ).

I dont wan't colored skid plates, if I buy aluminium skid plates, it will be the silver version because I know that it will be scratched and I know that the color will become damaged.

Selected Integy products:
T3288 Front skid plate mid Forged Aluminum
T3290 Servo guard Forged Aluminum
T3291 Front skid plate front Forged Aluminum
T3289 Read skid plate Forged Aluminum

Selected STRC products:
SPTST5337FMS - ST Racing Concepts Heavy Duty Front & Middle Skid Plate (Silver)
SPTST5337RS - ST Racing Concepts Heavy Duty Rear Skid Plate (Silver)
SPTST5315B - ST Racing Concepts Servo Guard (Blue) (yes... blue because silver is out of stock)
SPTST5334R - ST Racing Concepts Heavy Duty Aluminum Steering Knuckles w/Larger Bearings (Red)

Yes... if I go for STRC, I'll also buy the Steering knuckles, red, because I've already bought the Traxxas' red aluminium toe link and the push rod.

May I know:

- your opinion on the installation of aluminum skid plates?
- whether you have other products to recommend?

Thanks for your help.
Kind regards,
Cyril

[Scaniris]

Thank you to those who have responded by private message.

The opinion shared by contributors: Aluminium bends.

Hum . Finally I will prefer to use plastic protective plates instead of aluminium because my first concern is to properly protect the underside of the Summit. I removed the plates tonight and found them not only heavy but also very robust.

Aluminum is only intended to improve the aesthetics of the Summit ? Or would there be another reason technically interesting?

[pavmentsurfer]

In CERTAIN areas where you do not want parts to flex, aluminum is a good choice. However, in any area that you want a part to absorb impact you want to use plastic.

IMO the summit doenst NEED any upgrades at all to be extremely durable.. unless you intend to jump and bash it hard. however, things like knuckles... inner shock mounts, rockers etc... those items are fine in aluminum. Anything on the underside of the truck really should stay plastic.

Tbone is working on a full under chassis skid plate that should be available soon. It will really solve all the problems with the underside of the summit.

[Scaniris]

I saw your topic about Tbone

You're right. I'll stay with plastic for skid plates but upgrade to aluminium for other internal parts. Turning knuckles but also steering parts and shock towers.

I was not thinking about aluminium upgrade for parts that have to absorb impact, like body mount posts, bumpers or exocage. Of course. I was just thinking about skid plates. But I'll stick with the plastic strategy, and upgrade other parts as I planned to do it.

I think that I'll open a topic about all the running upgrades and planned upgrades

Thank you for your feed back.

[jamann]

I saw your topic about Tbone

You're right. I'll stay with plastic for skid plates but upgrade to aluminium for other internal parts. Turning knuckles but also steering parts and shock towers.

I was not thinking about aluminium upgrade for parts that have to absorb impact, like body mount posts, bumpers or exocage. Of course. I was just thinking about skid plates. But I'll stick with the plastic strategy, and upgrade other parts as I planned to do it.

I think that I'll open a topic about all the running upgrades and planned upgrades

Thank you for your feed back.

the only aluminum i have added is steering bellcrank and servo horn,because the high torque servo was snapping the arms off
where i run bad crashes and tumbles WILL happen.i did not do any other aluminum don't need it