Skid plate rusting

FLfinfan · 11-11-2005, 12:14 PM

Changed my oil today and found my skid plate rusting in two areas.

One of my battery terminals was really corroded up also. Went and got the cleaning gadget and anti-corrosive spray from the parts store when I dumped the used oil. Really like the little cleaning tool. It's 2 tools in one. A stiff bristle brush inside of another tool. A wicked set of teeth you put over the battery terminal and twist. Cleans it right up. Sucked all the corrosion up in a gas station vacuum while I cleaned it.

WazzuCoug · 11-11-2005, 01:28 PM

That is crap. Have you run it by the stealer yet?

DeeDubya · 11-11-2005, 01:41 PM

That looks like it might have been caused by battery acid. Most of the older metal battery boxes would look just like that after a year or so. I'll bet some acid dripped down or washed down and settled on the skid plate.
Just brush it with a steel brush and give it a shot of rustoleum spray paint.
Also, check into the little battery washers that slip over the terminals to keep them from corroding. They work great. You can get them at Walnuts.
Or, Westleys battery terminal spray is another good choice. It dries to a brown waxy residue so don't overspray too much.

Clint · 11-11-2005, 03:28 PM

Go to a paint store and buy a bottle rust reformer. Scrape the rust off and the rest will turn black and to an inert form.

Clint

Papa_D · 11-11-2005, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint

Go to a paint store and buy a bottle rust reformer. Scrape the rust off and the rest will turn black and to an inert form.

Clint

What he said.

37L1 · 11-11-2005, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLfinfan

Changed my oil today and found my skid plate rusting in two areas.

One of my battery terminals was really corroded up also. Went and got the cleaning gadget and anti-corrosive spray from the parts store when I dumped the used oil. Really like the little cleaning tool. It's 2 tools in one. A stiff bristle brush inside of another tool. A wicked set of teeth you put over the battery terminal and twist. Cleans it right up. Sucked all the corrosion up in a gas station vacuum while I cleaned it.

My skid plate looked worse than that and it is not from battery acid. The rust is forming where parts were welded together for the brackets and water sits there. I removed a lot with a drill wire wheel attachement and then did the Rust Reformer. When and if it finally goes, the part is only about $60.00-$80.00 (50810-7S010), no big deal for something that's going to get scraped and dented anyway.

FLfinfan · 11-12-2005, 06:15 AM

Ya, I don't think its from the battery acid leaking. Checked, no leaks. Corrosion was only on the front most terminal. I totally agree with the water collecting in the depresssions on the skidplate. It's right where two pieces are welded. You can even see in one of the spots where the weld itself is rusting but not the material around it. I have taken it off before to find alittle water pooled there.
I will run it by the dealer and see if they will get me a new one. If not, I will spring for a new one. I may consider drilling a few small weep holes in the pooling area to drain water build up in the new one.
I really need one (skid plate) with the crap out on the highway here and the obvious problems you can have off roading. It's not a super tough skid plate, but it does protect some fragile stuff I wouldn't want road debris or a chunk of rock or wood hitting when off road.
Can you just bolt up the larger "Off-Road" package skid plate to any Titan? Are the holes already there to accept it?

bestatchess · 11-12-2005, 07:26 AM

If we are talking about the front OR plate, it uses these pricey brackets:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...24&catalogid=2

By the time you get the brackets and the plate, you are spending a bunch of cash.

The OR package skid plates are fairly puny, but the front plate is aluminum and shouldn't be rusting out.

Perhaps a local shop could make something? It doesn't look that complicated.

FLfinfan · 12-01-2005, 09:27 AM

Sorry to dredge up an old post, but......heres an update.

Went to dealer.
Took skid plate off (they call it a splash guard).
Showed it to them.
Got it replaced with a new one, warranty work.
Took a week to come in.

I am thinking of going to a metal fabrication shop and having one made (that will bolt on to existing holes if possible). I would like a more heavy duty plate without having to buy a bush guard or bull bar. Don't know if Nissan's "off road package" skid plate is tough or not, but it is expensive. Anyways, exploring possibilities. At least I got a new skid plate/splash guard in the meantime.

BigA · 12-01-2005, 11:55 AM

I think what comes on the truck is like what the dealer said a splash guard to keep mud and water from splashing up onto the engine, my 4x2 came with it, if you want a skid plate you would be better off fabricating something that is a lot heavier duty.

SiMaster 2003 · 12-01-2005, 10:57 PM

If your getting a fabricated skid plate, I would suggest one for the gas tank also. Let's just say after 1 3/4 years of bouncing around job sites, my 27 gallon fuel tank has become a 24!

*95wolverine* · 12-02-2005, 05:28 AM

If you know that the problem area is the seam where the two parts meet, and the water pools there, just take some contact cleaner and clean that area really well. Once dry, you can take some Black RTV silicone and fill it. Use your finger and smooth it into the seam as if it were caulked. Water won't pond and you won't have to drill any holes that will be difficult to primer and paint in order to keep from rusting.

Shouldn't happen again.

Of course, this will hold you over till you go "custom".

FLfinfan · 12-02-2005, 08:23 AM

Can anyone with an "Off Road Package" Titan let us know if the Nissan skid plate is worth getting or if I'm better off getting an aftermarket or fabricated one.
Let us/me know about toughness, thickness, ease of install or taking off. And how many bolts. A earlier poster said they have special brackets to hold them on.

John Harden · 12-02-2005, 08:55 AM

My offroad skid plate is about 3/8" to 1/4" thick aluminum. Yes, it does use special brackets that bolt to the frame. The skid pate bolts to these brackets with large allen head bolts. The bolts are steel with about a 1/4" shaft. Very heavy duty mounting system and the bolts are round head and recessed, both of which help prevent them from being sheered off.

One very nice thing about the factory off road plate is the little access door for oil changes and the overall light weight. It must only weigh about 5 or so pounds. Also, it is bent and formed very nicely to conform to the curves under the truck while still maintaining good ground clearance. It also extends pretty far out to the sides of the truck both in front and underneath providing protection for the radiator and other front end components.

Having said all that, a steel plate would be much stronger and stand up better to a lot of banging or rubbing. I have a gouge out of mine from going over big rocks in a river crossing. It also bent a bit. I hadn't noticed this until I recently had to loosen it to gain access to remove my front sway bar.

Since you're looking to buy one anyway, if you do a lot of offroading, particularly in rocky areas, you might invest in a heavy steel one, depending on the price. Don't forget the access door for oil changes.

That's my .02 anyway.

Regards,

John

FLfinfan · 12-02-2005, 11:07 AM

Hey man, thanks for the in depth report. Thats just what I was looking for. I have a 04 SE CC 4x4 without the "Off Road Package". The "splash guard" on my truck will take some hits and is pretty good for standard road debris and minor off roading. The one you have would be better for sure. I checked on the prices for the plate and the brackets in the post above (parts link) and at a discount the parts are:
1. $280 something for the skid plate
2. $84 something for each bracket (need 2)
3. Bolts are not listed, sure they are extra

So it's about $450. I will take a look at the dealer and see what they charge, then look online.
I don't do real super heavy off roading (Florida), but do want to be protected when I do go offroad. Wish I could find a junk yard Titan with that plate on it.