Focus skid plate questions

Focus skid plate questions I need to put a skid plate on the focus and as focus owners know there really is nothing to mount to under there. So I am wondering if there are any focus builders that my be able to give some suggestions on how they did theirs and possibly post some pictures. kthanks! http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62038#msg-62038 Sun, 19 May 2013 03:54:09 -0700 Phorum 5.2.15a http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62772#msg-62772 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62772#msg-62772

]]> Josh Wimpey Construction Zone Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:11:31 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62759#msg-62759 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62759#msg-62759 phlat65 Construction Zone Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:50:05 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62755#msg-62755 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62755#msg-62755

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Broncoboy80
I might need some tips on building myself some skip plates as well.

Now, why was the pinch welds re-enforced? Is this needed? Or was this just to strengthen a jacking point?

We can meet up, I will be building one sometime hopefully in the next month.]]> ChrisKobi Construction Zone Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:57:30 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62749#msg-62749 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62749#msg-62749
Now, why was the pinch welds re-enforced? Is this needed? Or was this just to strengthen a jacking point?]]> Broncoboy80 Construction Zone Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:23:09 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62724#msg-62724 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62724#msg-62724

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Andrew_Frick
Chris and John,

Let me know if you want help coming up with a Junk yard list of parts if you are looking to build a good brake system.

Andrew

Will do! I'd like to go with rear discs at some point.]]> ChrisKobi Construction Zone Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:26:28 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62720#msg-62720 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62720#msg-62720
Let me know if you want help coming up with a Junk yard list of parts if you are looking to build a good brake system.

Andrew]]> Andrew_Frick Construction Zone Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:33:30 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62558#msg-62558 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62558#msg-62558

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slidewayswrx
Addressing the zip ties failing. It was probably on here that I heard of this but I can't be sure. Instead of zip ties use romex wire, cheap to free, quick and easy. Just use them like giant twist ties. They are much stronger than zip ties and reusable.

I have been through everything.

Tell you what the best option i've found is. BUNGIE CORDS!

drill 2 holes in the back edge of the plastic. attach the bungie cord to the floor of the car just behind the rear axle. works perfect! easily to attach, easy to remove.]]> Do It Sidewayz Construction Zone Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:39:37 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62556#msg-62556 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62556#msg-62556 slidewayswrx Construction Zone Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:03:02 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62539#msg-62539 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62539#msg-62539

]]> ChrisKobi Construction Zone Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:22:41 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62538#msg-62538 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62538#msg-62538

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john vanlandingham

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Andrew_Frick
John, I like the design of your aluminum cut outs and I actually went down the road of trying to build some for the focus, but changed course because the fabrication was going to be a night mare. Here are the focus short comings to this approach.

1. The frame rails are not straight, once you get in front of the strut towers they pinch in to help make room for the tire at full lock and then flatten out, kinda. You would end up having to make some oddly shaped spacers to match the aluminum bracket.

2. The outer wall of the frame rail is where the crumple zone is so the metal is rather weak and is stamped with an uneven pattern to allow it to deform in an impact. The inner side is a little better but you would have very little clearance on the passenger side because of the accessory drive belts for the engine.

3. The openings in the bumper cover would not line up where the tow hook part would be coming through. This might be a minor issue but may matter to some.

Chris I forgot to take pictures this weekend. I will see if I can get out there this evening.

John is this what you were thinking of? http://www.thegearbox.org/catalog/item/3819132/3532263.htm

Also sorry I couldn't make it by this week, car took a bit longer than expected. I should be able to swing by early next week with it.]]> ChrisKobi Construction Zone Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:11:42 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62441#msg-62441 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62441#msg-62441 phlat65 Construction Zone Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:09:42 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62431#msg-62431 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62431#msg-62431
I like the rail down the whole car idea. for the outside. I had a bunch of issues with using zip ties on the rear suspension of the focus. The kept breaking and there is not a good place to mount them. So they would look good until the end of the first stage where I was basically dragging them behind the car.

Adding the weld nuts really helped keep them up close to the body for long enough that I did not need any zip ties in the current config.]]> Andrew_Frick Construction Zone Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:34:11 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62428#msg-62428 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62428#msg-62428
Most body shops have a few sets of those stands, got mine from a buddy who own a body shop, they had a few extra sets. I really like them for body work and working under the car on the sills and stuff as there is no stand in the way]]> phlat65 Construction Zone Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:15:04 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62411#msg-62411 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62411#msg-62411

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NoCoast
What are you doing at the tunnel side Sean?

x2.. and what are those wheel stands.. they look kinda handy...]]> alosix Construction Zone Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:27:44 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62407#msg-62407 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62407#msg-62407 NoCoast Construction Zone Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:58:10 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62398#msg-62398 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62398#msg-62398

]]> phlat65 Construction Zone Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:54:07 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62396#msg-62396 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62396#msg-62396
For the plastic I used HDPE, High Density Poly Ethylene. I found a plastic supplier in my area that sold it like plywood in a 8'x4' sheet. My codriver and I made some templates out of cardboard and went to work. I went through a bunch of iterations of how to attach the plastic to the focus without either melting it on the exhaust or having it rip off. Weld nuts were the final solution. With a couple on the leading edge. one, in front of the wheel along the pinch seam. And one on the rear subframe where the bracket for the rear roll bar are mounted.]]> Andrew_Frick Construction Zone Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:17:59 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62390#msg-62390 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62390#msg-62390

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john vanlandingham

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ChrisKobi
Thanks Andrew, look forward to seeing them.

I should be hearing from the welder sometime today, after I get it back I need to make the gussets, I should be able to get the car over to Johns I just need to put the dash and belts in. Getting excited! My goal is to hopefully do one of the three rallies available in june. I believe its idaho, nevada or Pomeroy- shooting for pomeroy since its the smallest one and shouldn't be all hyped up like RA Olympus. I figure that Pomeroy would be a good first timer rally, short and sweet.

Yeah its easy. only 4 turns in the entire event.

Weeellllll, maybe i'd like more than 4 turns and as I picture it i would bet those 4 turns are wide open. I'm more thinking of the whole going through the motions from start to finish, it doesnt seem like it would be all hyped up like a rally america event either.]]> ChrisKobi Construction Zone Wed, 29 Feb 2012 06:08:46 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62389#msg-62389 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62389#msg-62389
I appreciate your help
Chris]]> ChrisKobi Construction Zone Wed, 29 Feb 2012 06:00:20 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62371#msg-62371 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62371#msg-62371
The underside on the car:

Side View:

Farther under the car, you can also see the skid plate over the fuel and brake lines, the skid plate over the fuel tank and the plastic protection for the rear suspension:

The support. It looks small but it is make of crome moly and with the thickness of the plate is does a good job.

Here is the mounting point. I reused one of the captive nuts for the radiator support and added a plate to the frame rail to level it out.

Here is another angle to show the mounting plate on the frame.

Here is the plate off the car. The vertical parts make is much stronger that if it was just flat plate. It is likely overkill on thickness but I got a deal on the Aluminum at a metal recycler place and I was tired of the the thiner plate I had run before bending or deforming everytime it came in contact with a rock.

Another angle that gives better view of the bends in the plate and the sides.

One more showing the mounting tabs for the front of the plate.

Since your car is a zetec you if you use this design your support will have to come down lower to clear the head and the bends will have to be sharper as it goes toward the front of the car.

This is the 4th iteration of the skid plate. I previously had one that was a full metal frame made of roll cage tube that supported a mainly flat skid plate. I had lots of trouble with header clearance and it acted a giant bowl so anything that got on top of it stayed there. It would be simplier to fabricate but if you are paying someone to do it they would likely be the same price.

Let me know if you want more pictures, and I can grab some.]]> Andrew_Frick Construction Zone Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:07:27 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62289#msg-62289 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62289#msg-62289

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fiasco

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john vanlandingham

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fiasco

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john vanlandingham
75 squids is nothing.

That sounds like a lot of calamari to me....

I would put Livre Anglais but Hi dun't stink the hoi poloi would unnerstan.

You say:

I say:

Let's call the whole thing off!

But you hain't hoi poloi]]> john vanlandingham Construction Zone Mon, 27 Feb 2012 23:27:13 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62268#msg-62268 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62268#msg-62268

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john vanlandingham

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fiasco

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john vanlandingham
75 squids is nothing.

That sounds like a lot of calamari to me....

I would put Livre Anglais but Hi dun't stink the hoi poloi would unnerstan.

You say:

I say:

Let's call the whole thing off!]]> fiasco Construction Zone Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:47:11 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62262#msg-62262 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62262#msg-62262

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fiasco

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john vanlandingham
75 squids is nothing.

That sounds like a lot of calamari to me....

I would put Livre Anglais but Hi dun't stink the hoi poloi would unnerstan.]]> john vanlandingham Construction Zone Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:10:11 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62259#msg-62259 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62259#msg-62259

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ChrisKobi
Thanks Andrew, look forward to seeing them.

I should be hearing from the welder sometime today, after I get it back I need to make the gussets, I should be able to get the car over to Johns I just need to put the dash and belts in. Getting excited! My goal is to hopefully do one of the three rallies available in june. I believe its idaho, nevada or Pomeroy- shooting for pomeroy since its the smallest one and shouldn't be all hyped up like RA Olympus. I figure that Pomeroy would be a good first timer rally, short and sweet.

Yeah its easy. only 4 turns in the entire event.]]> john vanlandingham Construction Zone Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:58:18 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62247#msg-62247 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62247#msg-62247
I should be hearing from the welder sometime today, after I get it back I need to make the gussets, I should be able to get the car over to Johns I just need to put the dash and belts in. Getting excited! My goal is to hopefully do one of the three rallies available in june. I believe its idaho, nevada or Pomeroy- shooting for pomeroy since its the smallest one and shouldn't be all hyped up like RA Olympus. I figure that Pomeroy would be a good first timer rally, short and sweet.]]> ChrisKobi Construction Zone Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:29:48 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62237#msg-62237 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62237#msg-62237

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john vanlandingham
75 squids is nothing.

That sounds like a lot of calamari to me....]]> fiasco Construction Zone Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:30:05 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62235#msg-62235 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62235#msg-62235

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Andrew_Frick
John, I like the design of your aluminum cut outs and I actually went down the road of trying to build some for the focus, but changed course because the fabrication was going to be a night mare. Here are the focus short comings to this approach.

1. The frame rails are not straight, once you get in front of the strut towers they pinch in to help make room for the tire at full lock and then flatten out, kinda. You would end up having to make some oddly shaped spacers to match the aluminum bracket.

2. The outer wall of the frame rail is where the crumple zone is so the metal is rather weak and is stamped with an uneven pattern to allow it to deform in an impact. The inner side is a little better but you would have very little clearance on the passenger side because of the accessory drive belts for the engine.

3. The openings in the bumper cover would not line up where the tow hook part would be coming through. This might be a minor issue but may matter to some.

Chris I forgot to take pictures this weekend. I will see if I can get out there this evening.

Know whatcher mean. I did have a LOT of time with that black car to look at things and was sorta stumped--with the time we had.

Maybe a nice flat strip of say 1/8" x 1.5" or 1.75" could be welded in to help stiffen the crumple zone AND provide a base for anchoring the plates...

I dunno, don't have a Fuck-us here to stare at. But Chris is just a few miles away and after his last visit he said he'll drop by and show me the cage and we can work on a Triage List on what to do....
Be good to get "Service Nazi" aka Robert RallyMech over since he's just about 2 miles away and second set of eyes is always a good thing..

One question while you're here: can you say what "transgression" that 01 has in it? IB5? MTX75? the poor boy is stuck with the ZZZzzzzzzze-tec which is appropriately name zzzzzzz but I have a sneaky feeling that a MkIII Ex-squirt turbo box might just bolt right up, and I've seen them for as low as 75 English Squids....they come with 4.2 ratio and a decent VC LSD. 75 squids is nothing.]]> john vanlandingham Construction Zone Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:14:04 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62228#msg-62228 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62228#msg-62228
1. The frame rails are not straight, once you get in front of the strut towers they pinch in to help make room for the tire at full lock and then flatten out, kinda. You would end up having to make some oddly shaped spacers to match the aluminum bracket.

2. The outer wall of the frame rail is where the crumple zone is so the metal is rather weak and is stamped with an uneven pattern to allow it to deform in an impact. The inner side is a little better but you would have very little clearance on the passenger side because of the accessory drive belts for the engine.

3. The openings in the bumper cover would not line up where the tow hook part would be coming through. This might be a minor issue but may matter to some.

Chris I forgot to take pictures this weekend. I will see if I can get out there this evening.]]> Andrew_Frick Construction Zone Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:12:45 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62114#msg-62114 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62114#msg-62114

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Do It Sidewayz

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john vanlandingham

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Do It Sidewayz
John. do you have those nice alloy "plates" cut and sitting on a shelf? the "towhook" ones

HAD, now I'm down to just one set for ME!

Whatcher gots in mind, eh?

Thinking if you got them sitting on a shelf and cut, then it saves me finding the 1/2" alloy, and then someone to cut something.

Well there's nothing saying these specific parts would be dimensionally gloovy on a Sub-a-rat, or a Fuck-us or a 240, but the general concept can be "harvested" and tailored to whatever..
Espcially on a car like the Fuck-us when the front end is so much a big gaping hole anything that would, when all cinched up, stiffen the front can only be good...

The way I would do it would be start with a big cardboard template, and some beeeeeeeg fawkin scissors and start trimming..

Those 606 copies of the Ford 909 parts are pretty clever in that they are combo sumpguard mount, towing eyelet, and jacking point--the jacking point being the concave bit just behind the towing eyes--you put a bar (with caps) on the dealie you make that sits on the pad of the trolley jack, and the bar engages the two sides and you lift from in front of the car, not underneath.]]> john vanlandingham Construction Zone Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:51:35 -0800 http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62112#msg-62112 Re: Focus skid plate questions http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?5,62038,62112#msg-62112

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john vanlandingham

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Do It Sidewayz
John. do you have those nice alloy "plates" cut and sitting on a shelf? the "towhook" ones

HAD, now I'm down to just one set for ME!

Whatcher gots in mind, eh?

Thinking if you got them sitting on a shelf and cut, then it saves me finding the 1/2" alloy, and then someone to cut something.]]> Do It Sidewayz Construction Zone Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:26:26 -0800