RAY'S MONTERO SITE
MY MONTERO MODIFICATIONS
Custom Transfer Case Skid Plate
THE RATINGS
Function
Installation
Fit n Finish
Overall
Figure 1
After hitting my rear bumper a few times too many off road, I decided it was time for a replacement. I knew in the back of my head that there would be no aftermarket units available, but I made a trip to my local Four Wheel Parts Wholesalers to check just in case.
The guy behind the counter confirmed my suspicions so I asked
if he knew of any local fabricators that had the talent and tools to build me a solid rock bumper.
He said that they have had a lot of good results with a local shop called Iron Man Truck Sports. After getting directions I found the shop.
Realizing that a new rear bumper was a tall (read "expensive") order and I wanted to be sure the workmanship was top notch before I plunked down big cash. So as sort of a test, I asked Bill at Iron Man Truck Sports to build me a new transfer case skid plate. Of all my skid plates, this one was the most trashed and needed an upgrade first.
Bill asked me a lot of questions... "How did you get it so crumpled? What kind of off roading do you do? Baja Style Driving? Rock Crawling? Trail Riding?" He also asked me about my driving style, my future off road plans etc. Being a "consultative sales" professional myself, the number and quality of his questions really hit home with me.
Bill suggested he build me a skid plate out of 1/4" plate steel (instead of 3/16" steel that others use). It would be a little heavier than stock but would also offer more protection.
"Great" I said. How much will a piece like that cost?
"Well it will take me at least 2 hours to build, sand, primer, paint and install... That's right around $150 for everything"
"Not bad." I thought. "What happens if I break it?"
"Anything I build comes with a Lifetime Warrantee against breakage... If it breaks, bring it back and I'll fix it, make it better, or replace it!"
"Wow!! Now that's something you don't hear very often. " I said.
Bill responds "What can I say, I stand by my work. Not only that, I gotta sleep at night you know."
So, after a couple of hours of wait, he presents me with a new Skid Plate. Custom built, painted in basic black and installed.
At this point, I'm completely jazzed because in a week I was drivng out to the 2000 Mitsubishi Four Wheel Drive Club Utah Rally.
At the rally I show it to a number of club members and they are all pleased with its appearance. During the rally I smack it on boulders a couple of times pretty hard, but upon inspection notice no real signs of damage except for the paint being scraped off and perhaps a 1/32-3/64" deflection upwards .
Once back home, I bring it back by Iron Man Truck Sports to show him how well his work held up. He asked if I though he should correct the very slight bend and I tell him not yet. If it get's worse he says, go ahead and bring it back and I'll go ahead and fix it up right!
Well, that settles it... I mention to Bill at this point that I'd also like him to build me a new rear bumper. He says sure... but then that's another story to be written later.
OFF ROADER
To contact Iron Man Truck Sports, just point your browser to
http://www.geocities.com/ironmantrucksports/
NOTE ON RATINGS
While I only gave the bumper a rating of 4.5 stars on functionality due to the deflection during impact I realize that is nearly impossible to prevent if one wishes to make a usable (read "Light Weight") skid plate as well.
Regardless of the Functionality Rating, I still gave it an overall rating of 5 stars due to Iron Man Truck Sports' willingness to have their customers walk away happy.
Hits since created on 10, June 2000