lighthammer wrote:Right, so I made a new stone shield for the Navara, cuz the plastic stock shield got shredded on the last Side B run through Blanchisseuse.
Went to bhagwansingh's and bought some diamond-embossed aluminum sheeting, 4x2'' and $316 per sheet.
Tools needed:
- Ratched with 10-socket
- metal cutting shears
- leather work gloves
- pliers
- small hammer
- drill
Started by removing the plastic lip on the underside of the front bumper, 6-bolts in total to unscrew
The two posterior bolts that held the old plastic stone shield got shredded from previous off-roading adventures, and nothing was holding the stoneshield to the chassis anymore.
Took the old stone shield and used it to make a template on the aluminum sheeting. Doesn't have to be exact, but should fit within the underside of the truck nice and snug.
Always wear heavy gloves when working with metal and cutting shears
Halfway there.
Couldn't resist
I found the sheeting to be a bit thin, so I made two templates. The one on the bottom is a bit larger than the one on top, so that I could press the larger one over the smaller and double them up, increasing the tensile strength.
Made the edges of the larger one a bit longer, so that I could press the larger one over the smaller one and double the layers.
Almost finished. Now to just go back under the truck to measure out the holes on the chassis, then drill them in accordingly on the new stone-shield.
Had some company under the truck.
Success!!
Looks pretty neat, and it's sitting a bit more flush with the body now. The previous stoneshield used to protrude slightly outwards. The underside looks a lot more sleek now and makes the truck look like it's got more ground clearance up front.
Nicely tucked in under the engine bay, can't hardly see the new stone shield at all.
Mission accomplished.
Next stop... Maracas or Las Cuevas!!